While New Year’s Eve may seem like ages ago, the Chinese are just getting started and this year, it’s all about the rabbit. The rabbit is the fourth in the twelve-year periodic sequence of animals that appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. The Year of the Rabbit is associated with the Earthly Branch symbol 卯. In the Vietnamese zodiac and the Gurung zodiac, the cat takes the place of the rabbit. Asian communities around the world mark the new year with parades and other festivities and of course, New York is no different. In fact, many around the world look to our town to see how we’re celebrating.
Chinatown’s annual Lunar New Year celebration features stunning visuals, tantalizing treats and impressive performances, capped off by the always fabulous lion dance. As mentioned earlier, this year the festivities usher in the Year of the Rabbit. Manhattan’s Chinatown is one of the largest in the US. There is so much you can do including an audio-guided walking tour, working your way through a market, sip tea and get reflexology treatment and of course, stopping for amazing meals along the way. While our offices are in Manhattan and we often focus on the borough that we reside, we do note that similar Lunar New Year events take place in the City’s other Chinatowns: Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and Flushing, Queens. So, the message is to get out!
Venture around our city and support New York City’s Asian American communities. Some of the ways that you can do so are as follows:
Flushing is known for its diverse Asian American communities. There are plenty of popular Asian American–owned spots in the neighborhood for dining, shopping, sightseeing and exploring.
Explore Asian Culture in Sunset Park which is home to one of the largest East Asian communities in Brooklyn, Sunset Park is a lesser-known gem full of history and great food.
Long Island City -Discover what the Queens community has to offer—scallion pancakes, stylish streetwear and much more.
The Chinese New Year and Spring Festival is officially upon us. Originating in multiple countries in east Asia, the holiday is filled with rich culture and tradition that centers around the hope for good fortune and prosperity. Enjoy it like a true New Yorker!