Lunar New Year (200)
Lunar New Year is a major holiday in Asian cultures. Celebrations begin on the second new moon after the winter solstice and wrap up on a full moon 15 days later. The dates vary from year to year, but traditionally fall between late January and mid-February. It’s a time for families to gather together, honor ancestors, sweep away past problems and make way for incoming luck in the new year. Money is often exchanged in red envelopes as a symbol of good luck, and firecrackers are lit to scare evil spirits away. Seattle is home to some fantastic Lunar New Year celebrations. This year, come to the Wing Luke Museum on Feb. 7 for the celebration kickoff and check out Hing Hay Park in the International District on Feb. 21 for the New Year’s observance. Thousands of people will gather for lion and dragon dances, fireworks, a costume parade and contest sponsored by Northwest Asian Weekly, Taiko drumming, martial arts and a cultural music and dance demonstrations. The popular $2 food walk will be back, and there’ll be plenty of hands-on tables for origami, calligraphy, face painting and games. Sounds like an auspicious way to begin the year.
