Long Island and New York City are once again preparing for the Chinese New Year with a plethora of festivals and celebrations set to begin around the area during the next two weeks. Long Island’s Asian community is continuing to grow, and their rich culture will be on full display for all nationalities to enjoy. With activities ranging from dancing to music to the tasting of mouth-watering Asian cuisine, there will be something for the entire family to delight in during the 2016 Year of the Monkey.
The 2016 Chinese New Year Parade will be held on Sunday, Feb. 14, at 1 p.m. in Chinatown. The parade will wind through Mott and Canal streets, advancing onto East Broadway before ending on Broome Street. A celebration will follow at Sara Roosevelt Park on Monday, Feb. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. replete with bright fireworks and savory Chinese treats.
The Educational & Cultural Center will be holding their 2016 Chinese New Year Celebration on Sunday, Jan. 31, from 2 to 4 p.m. at 111 Main St. in Stony Brook. Festivities will include Authentic Shaolin, Manhattan Taiko and a performance by the Long Island Chinese Dance Group. The Year of the Monkey craft activity for children will follow the performance. Tickets are $12 for adults, and $10 for senior citizens and children under 12. Advance reservations are required. Call 631-689-5888 for more information.
New Beginnings Family and Children’s Services will be holding the 15th annual Chinese New Year Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 6, from 11:30 to 4 p.m. at Crystal Garden on 278 Portion Rd. in Lake Ronkonkoma. Free admission. The Chinese New Year registration form must be submitted by Jan. 31. Call 631-738-9565 for information.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is holding Lunar New Year: Year of the Monkey festivities on Saturday, Feb. 6, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Special programs will include Lunar New Year Festival: Calligraphy with the China Institute from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. A classically trained calligrapher will teach digital calligraphy with the Zen Brush iPad app. Children under 12 with an adult are admitted free of charge. From 11 to 11:30 a.m. there will be performances from Chinese Theatre Works at the Carson Family Hall, Ruth and Harold D. Uris Center for Education where you can listen to traditional Chinese opera and music. Tickets are given out 15 minutes before the event on a first-come, first-serve basis. A great event for children will be the Sesame Street Puppeteers featuring Alan Muraoka in The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Call 212-535-7710 for information.
Celebrate the 2016 Chinese New Year with the Asia Society at 725 Park Ave. on Saturday, Feb. 6, from 1 to 4 p.m. where they will host Moon Over Manhattan. Activities will reflect various aspects of Asian culture, including a kung fu demonstration, musical performances and a Lion Dance. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for students, seniors and children. Call 212-288-6400 or visit www.asiasociety.org for more information.
Come see the Fireworks Spectacular Lunar New Year 2016 on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 8:30 p.m. at Hudson River Park, Pier 84 on 12th Avenue and West 44th Street. The widely-acclaimed Fireworks by Grucci will execute the cutting-edge CAFA firework designs and Academy Award-winning composer/conductor Tan Dun will provide a live music simulcast in what is sure to be a treat for the eyes and ears.
A Chinese New Year Festival will be held at the Charles B. Wang Center Theatre at Stony Brook University on Saturday, Feb. 6, from 3 to 5 p.m. Presented by the Confucius Institute, highlights will include a magic show, acrobats, traditional Peking Opera performers and professional Lion Dancers. Refreshments will follow the performances. Admission is free, but due to high demand, there is now a waiting list only. Call 631-632-6353 for more information.
Come experience Fantastic Arts China from Saturday, Feb. 6 to Wednesday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Javits Convention Center on 655 W. 34th St. A 72,000-square-foot exhibit will showcase modern traditional art, Chinese-American art school exhibits, and live performances. Also, National Dance Institute students will perform Chinese dances and the Nature Conservancy will speak about the golden monkey and conservation. Free admission. Call 212-888-9338 for more information.
The Long Island Children’s Museum at 11 Davis Ave. in Garden City will be holding A Bright New Year: Chinese New Year Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 6, from 2 to 2:45 p.m. Learn about the rituals and traditions of this ancient holiday and paint your own paper lantern. The cost for children five and up is $3 with museum admission or $2 for LICM members. Call 516-224-5800 for information.
