Celebrate Chinese New Year at these Chicago-area events!
Chinese New Year Kickoff Celebration: Celebrating its 31st year, the Chinese Fine Arts Society kicks off the Year of the Sheep with a festive display of Chinese dance, music, and martial arts. Be dazzled by the movements and sounds of lion dancers as they beat their drums to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck for the New Year, and take in the beauty and elegance of traditional Chinese dance and music presented by some of Chicago’s finest artists. Don’t forget to wear red for good fortune!
Lunar New Year Parade: Join the Argyle business community for the annual Lunar New Year parade! The parade begins after firecrackers explode to ring in the new year and will feature parade floats, marchers, and lion and dragon dancers. The parade steps off on Saturday, February 21st at 1:00 pm, beginning in front of the sponsoring Hip Sing Association, 1121 W. Argyle (just east of Red Line) after firecrackers explode to ring in the New Year. Parade floats, marchers, and lion and dragon dancers will head east down Argyle, turn south onto Sheridan, turn back west on Ainslie to Broadway and back north to Argyle.
Bloomingdale’s Celebrates Chinese New Year: Bloomingdale’s will be ringing in the Year of the Ram this Chinese New Year with unique merchandise, special events and cultural presentations, going on now through March 2nd. Shoppers at Bloomingdale’s two downtown Chicago stores can join in on the celebration and test their luck with the Chinese red envelope tradition from February 19-22, 2015. Select envelopes will be filled with prizes such as a bMoney cards; a complimentary Forty Carrots frozen yogurt; a limited edition Year of the Ram tote bag; and special offers throughout the cosmetics department. Bloomingdale’s will also be debuting showcases curated by the retailer’s fashion office that are filled with plenty of gift-worthy goods. The showcases will be filled with pieces such as a limited edition reusable “Little Ram Bag” inspired by Bloomingdale’s iconic Brown Bag, limited edition Godiva chocolates in Year of the Ram boxes, Fringe candles, Voluspa candles and a limited edition Clarasonic MIA3. Other visual statements and merchandise celebrating the Year of the Ram will be present throughout the store.
Chinese New Year at 360 CHICAGO: Make your way to the John Hancock Center – with the crown of lights beaming in red – and enjoy $5.00 off General Admission to 360 CHICAGO during the Chinese New Year celebration! 360 CHICAGO and its one-of-a-kind attraction, TILT, will bring the spirit of this wonderful celebration to life. Savor the view and learn more about our city’s rich history with touch screens (available in Mandarin) and/or self-guided Mandarin audio tours (an additional $6.00). Guests will also enjoy finding out their fortune for the New Year!
Year of the Ram Chinese New Year Celebration: To ring in the Year of the Ram and to celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14, Mr. Ram Moy, Chinese cuisine connoisseur, will be on hand at the Chinese-American Museum of Chicago to demystify and unfold traditional stories and history about the sweet sesame dumplings. In addition, the celebration will include a Lion Dance to summon good luck, Chinese New Year traditions,special food delicacies and meanings, and calligraphy keepsake for lucky greetings.
Chinese New Year Lightscape: Enjoy a multisensory experience on State Street, with light displays and music to celebrate the Year of the Sheep. The Lightscape will be on display on State Street, between Lake Street and Van Buren Street, from February 16 through March 5.
Macy’s Celebrates Chinese New Year: Macy’s on State Street and Water Tower Place will celebrate the Year of the Goat with a special limited-time 20% discount, exclusive gift with purchase tote bag featuring Year of the Sheep commemorative artwork, in-store entertainment and events at State Street store (date TBA), and limited edition merchandise from various vendors themed for Chinese New Year. The celebration will begin on February 16 and continue through March 6.
Chinese New Year Celebration at ROOF on theWit: Come celebrate the Year of the Sheep 27 stories above it all… Featuring steamed buns, pot stickers, new moon desserts, dancing dragons, lanterns and so much more! Sounds by DJ Big Once.
Celebrate Chinese New Year at the Garden: Celebrate the Year of the Sheep at Chicago Botanic Garden with free performances by professional shadow puppet and puppet performers from China along with free family drop-in programs, where you can learn to create traditional Chinese paper cuttings and more.
