The Chinese New Year!!

Today, the Chinese New Year will ring in the Year of the Monkey, or more precisely, the Fire Monkey, a sign that’s associated with ambition and adventure. People born in the ‘Year of the Monkey’ are characterized as quick-witted, curious, innovative and mischievous, but it is also believed to be one of the most unlucky years in the Chinese calendar.

The Chinese have their own impressive way of celebrating the New Year’s. Each New Year is characterized by the name of 12 animals that appear in the Zodiac Signs and, this time, it’s the year of the Monkey, the ninth animal in the cycle. The cycle for the Monkey is likely to repeat in the year 2028.

London – February 14

The British capital claims to be host to the biggest Chinese New Year celebration outside Asia, with a grand parade that starts at Trafalgar Square and snakes its way down to London’s Chinatown. This year, in addition to 10 lion teams leading one of Europe’s biggest lion dances, Trafalgar Square will also host stage performances such as traditional dance troupes, acrobats, dragon and flying lion dances, opera and martial arts performances. The program ends with a fireworks show.

New York – The entire month

Festivities for the Chinese New Year last all month long across New York. On February 8, Sara D. Roosevelt Park will kick start the party with a firecracker ceremony. On February 13, residents in Flushing, Queens — a borough that’s twice been named the hottest destination in the US thanks in part to its bustling Chinatown — hosts a boisterous parade. The following day, Manhattan hosts its own party that will march through Little Italy and end in Chinatown. And over in Brooklyn, singers and dancers will entertain locals at Sunset Park.

Melbourne – February 6 – 21

For almost 160 years, Melbourne’s Chinatown has been hosting a new year celebration for the community. Leading up to the main event, the neighborhood — aglow in Chinese lanterns — will throw a series of special events that includes outdoor cinemas, street stalls hawking Chinese street food, cultural workshops, martial arts and dance lessons. On February 14, an estimated 70,000 spectators are expected to watch the Millennium Dragon Parade wend its way down Corner Russell and Little Bourke Streets.

Singapore – January – March

Singapore has been in party mode since January, throwing Year of the Monkey events since last month. The celebration will continue into March, but a Western-style countdown took place last night in Chinatown. The party featured live performances, songs, interactive games, skits and a fireworks display. The neighborhood also put on stage show performances of traditional Chinese dance and song and recreated the streets of China with food stalls. Chinatown will remain lit up until March 8.

Vancouver – February 14

Vancouver’s annual Chinese New Year Parade boasts the largest gathering of lion dance teams in Canada. The procession starts at Millennium Gate in Chinatown. Interestingly, this year the Chinese New Year falls on a statutory holiday in the Canadian province: British Columbia Day. Likewise, the parade is scheduled to take place on Valentine’s Day. Vancouver’s Chinatown is the biggest in Canada.