The Year of the Pig begins on February 5, but the Lunar New Year celebrations begin as early as this weekend! From parades to all-day festivals, there is so much to do around town to bring in the New Year. Gong xi fa cai!

Penn Museum

January 19, 1 — 5 pm (adult party from 5–8 pm)
3260 South St.

 

Celebrate the upcoming Year of the Pig with a full schedule of family-friendly activities. The museum’s celebration includes traditional Chinese music and dance, storytelling, calligraphy workshop, crafts, martial arts demonstrations, and more. Don’t miss the Lion Dance Parade at 4 pm!

Chinese New Year Celebration and Performances

January 26, 10:30 am–5 pm

Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.

 

A day of free performances will include Tai-Chi, yoga dance and song, Tibetan dance, Chinese folk operas, Uighur dance, an historical fashion show, a tea ceremony, and more.

Chinese New Year Celebration at Ryerss Museum

January 27, 1–3 pm

7370 Central Ave.

 

Ryerss has partnered with Temple University’s Confucius Institute for an afternoon of games, dumpling making, museum tours, and more.

Sundays on Stage: Lion Dance Plus

January 27, 2 pm

Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St.

 

Performed by Dance China New York, Lion Dance introduces students to beloved Chinese folk art pieces, including excerpts from Beijing Opera featuring the popular Monkey King character, and the Chinese ribbon dance.

Chinese New Year Celebration at Reading Terminal Market

February 2, 10 am–3 pm

51 N. 12th St.

 

Celebrate the Year of the Pig with cooking demos, dance performances, calligraphy, crafts, and of course the lion dance by Philadelphia Suns.

Independence Seaport Museum Lunar New Year

February 2, 11 am — 3 pm
Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd.

 

Celebrate the Lunar New Year and learn about the heritages of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Japanese cultures. There will be lots of crafts for kids to do like creating dragon puppets, lanterns, and a Year of the Pig drum. Additionally, interactive live performances–including martial arts, drumming, and calligraphy– will be featured by local artists.

Lunar New Year Family Festival

February 3, 10 am—3 pm

Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

Ring in the Year of the Pig with free family activities at the Art Museum. Create a lunar calendar, take a mini tour to hunt for images of the moon in the museum’s newly reinstalled Chinese art galleries, and enjoy dance performances (at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm) by the Nai-Ni Chen dance company. Free after pay-what-you-wish admission.

Chinese New Year Celebration

February 5, 4 pm

Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library, 125 S. 52nd St.

 

Make a paper lantern or dragon puppet, learn about your Chinese Zodiac symbol, and sample snacks from a Tray of Togetherness. For children ages 11 and under, and their families.

Lunar New Year Celebration at South Philadelphia Library

February 5, 4 pm

1700 S. Broad St.

 

Celebrate the Lunar New Year at the library with stories, crafts, and special treat.

International House Lunar New Year 2019 Celebration

February 7, 7 pm
International House Philadelphia, 3701 Chestnut St.

 

The evening celebration includes traditional music, dance performances, and martial arts demonstrations, followed by a reception featuring interactive cultural activities and tastings of Chinese cuisine from Sang Kee. Kids ages 3-12 get discounted tickets for $10.

Family Festival:  Lunar New Year

February 9, 9 am—5 pm

Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic

 

Celebrate Lunar New Year by dancing with lions, making lanterns, and more. The day includes live performances, storytimes, art activities, and more surprises!

Chinese New Year Cooking Demo at Reading Terminal Market

February 9, 11:30 am–12:30 pm
Reading Terminal Market, 51 N. 12th St.

 

Celebrate the Chinese New Year with a free demonstration and tastings. Come learn a new trick in the kitchen from local chefs and sample delicious foods!

Lunar New Year at the Rail Park

February 9, noon–4 pm

1300 Noble St.

 

Philly’s new place to play and relax is planning a big New Year’s celebration for its inaugural year. Plans are still in the works, but if it’s anything like the park’s debut, you can expect dragons and colorful revelry! We’ll be sure to update as more details come out!

Lion Dance Parade in Chinatown

February 10, 11 am
10^th and Spring streets, Philadelphia

 

Chinatown’s New Year parade features the Philadelphia Suns’ Lion Dance with lots of drums, firecrackers, and colorful excitement. Note: this parade might be difficult for small kids or those with sensory issues because there is a lot of smoke and loud noise from the firecrackers. 

 
Photographs by Laura Swartz.