Lunar New Year is here, and there are so many ways to celebrate in Chicago.
Lunar New Year begins on Saturday , February 10 , and the festivities in Chicago are already start . The jubilation fetes the arrival of spring and the first sidereal day of the new year for various Asiatic communities . In Chinese communities , you may hear it call the Spring Festival , whileSeollalis the terminus for Korean New Year , andTếtis unremarkably used to look up to the Lunar New Year in Vietnam . Different culture and communities have different ways of celebrating the Lunar New Year , and its timing varies from twelvemonth to year because it ’s marked by the first new lunation of the lunisolar calendar rather than a fixed day of the month . In Taiwanese , Korean , and Thai culture , this is the Year of the Dragon .
“ I have great retention of Seollal , Korean New Year , growing up , ” Beverly Kim , chef and owner ofParachuteandAnelyatells Thrillist . “ We would get together at my grannie ’s flat . My mummy would make a large meal that we delight after midnight service at church in Albany Park . It included dduk gook , a rice cake soup representing good destiny and protrude the New Year with a clean slate . after we would bow in front of our elders to receive blessings and money for the New Year . ”
Chicago ’s Asian population is the fastest - growing ethnic groupin Chicago , and there will be a number of Lunar New Year festivity across the metropolis and suburbs . Experience the vibrant diversity of Lunar New Year celebration across communities and cultures and enjoy the perks of living in a big urban center by joining the festivities ( the majority of which are free ) and embracing the unique custom that pit the start of a novel beginning .
Lunar New Year Parade|Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images
Food and Drink Events Celebrating Lunar New Year in Chicago
Parachute
February 9–11Avondale , Prices varyFor Lunar New Year weekend , Parachutewill be answer dduk mandoo gook , a Korean Timothy Miles Bindon Rice bar dumpling soup , which is a traditional dished served for New Year ’s . Chef Kim is serve her phratry ’s formula on the menu . “ But we ’re taking it a step further and doing an 18 - hour os broth , ” says Kim . “ It ’s endure to be more milklike , more luxurious and rich than what I had growing up . It ’s for the people like me who do n’t have family penny-pinching to go and deal a bowl with or maybe they want to introduce this stunner to someone they bang . It ’s very traditional . ”
Sunda New Asian Chicago
Through February 29River North , Prices varySunda New Asian Chicagois serving limited Lunar New Year mantrap now through February 29 , 2024 . There ’s the seafood lo mein compact with crispy scallop , prawn , pea pods , carrot , urine chestnuts , and shiitake mushroom cloud or the cumin Charles Lamb dumpling served with pickled mustard greens , gingerroot vinaigrette and chili pepper crisp . An assortment of “ Luck and Wealth ” cookies and oranges is also on the menu for $ 8.88 ( In Chinese , the phone number eight has the same sound as the parole " 发(fa ) " which underscore successfulness or fortune , and 8.88 is deal a lucky issue ) . For diners visiting the evening of Thursday , February 8 , a celebratory Lion Dance is scheduled for 8 postmortem .
Wow Bao
February 9–10Various locations , Prices varyFor a more casual meal , point toWow Bao . In honor of the Year of the Dragon , Chicago locations will be giving away traditional Hong Bao red envelopes with every leverage on February 9 and February 10 . Envelopes will include voucher for freebies . And for those lucky to be support in the Year of the Dragon ( 1952 , 1964 , 1976 , 1988 , 2000 , 2012 , and 2024 ) , the eating place is offering a complimentary repast up to $ 15 at any of their three positioning on February 10 , the start of Lunar New Year .
PERILLA
February 9–11River North , price varyIf you ’re looking to fete Seollal , the Korean Lunar New Year , then head toPERILLA . The Korean American eating house is offering a vacation menu during dinner party service on Friday , February 9 through Sunday , February 11 . dishful admit bulgogi ( marinated gripe ) , ddukguk ( rice bar soup ) , japchae ( stir - fry glass bean with veg ) , and bindaedduk ( savory mung bean pancakes ) .
Music Events Celebrating Lunar New Year in Chicago
Old Town School of Folk Music
February 7,8 pmLincoln Square , $ 10 suggestedIn expectancy of the holiday weekend , theOld Town School of Folk Musicin Lincoln Square is host a free and intimate execution in jubilation of Lunar New Year on Wednesday , February 7 at 8 pm . The concert will boast a blend of traditional and present-day Chinese and Thai music and instruments as part of their World Music Wednesday series . Multi - instrumentalist Tzu - Tsen Wu , multi - percussionist Brent Roman , their couple , Ruan and Hide and special guest Chamni Sripraram are among the performers add the look of Lunar New Year to life . Make mental reservation in advance either online or by calling the box office at 773 - 728 - 6000 . A $ 10 donation is suggested .
Chicago Philharmonic New Year Concert & Celebration
February 10,3 pmTheater for Music and Dance , FreeTheChicago Philharmonic ’s Chinese New Year concert and celebrationat the Harris Theater for Music and Dance is one of the metropolis ’s most popular Lunar New Year upshot . Expect a full orchestra with pipa virtuoso Yang Wei to performButterfly Lovers Concerto , one of China ’s most famed classic compositions based on the folktale of two star - crossed lovers , andCrouching Tiger Cello Concerto . The outcome takes position on Saturday , February 10 at 3 post-mortem examination . The event is free but registration is required .
Lunar New Year Concert Featuring Rabia Brooke
February 11,2 pmPreston Bradley Hall , FreeHead to the Cultural Center ’s Preston Bradley Hall on Sunday , February 11 for theworld premiere of Lei - Liang ’s Mongolian Suite for Violin execute by violinist Rabia Brooke . Liang , a Taiwanese composer , was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in music . Liang and Brooke will model down for a Q&A to discourse the commission and theme process prior to the concert . The afternoon concert will also feature a performance byTuvergen Band , a Mongol ethnic music - fusion group . The result is destitute and presented by Choose Chicago and Chicago ’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events .
Museums Celebrating Lunar New Year in Chicago
Field Museum
February 8Downtown , FreeIf you ’re chat theField Museum on Thursday , February 8 , expect a figure of performance from the Chicago Chinese Cultural Center ’s Lion Dance team , the award - winning dancing troupeHao Dance , the Chicago Korean Dance Company and somberness - defying whoremonger from theChinese Yo - Yo school day . The Grainger Science Hub will also be host Chinese calligraphy demonstrations during this meter andTuvergen Band , the Mongol folk music - fusion group , will also be performing . The celebration begin at 11:30 am and end at 1:30 pm . This event is loose , but basic access to the Field Museum is need .
Indoor Family Events Celebrating Lunar New Year in Chicago
Navy Pier Global Connections: Lunar New Year
February 10,1 pmNavy Pier , FreeLunar New Year in Chicago falls during one of the metropolis ’s most fickle weather condition - related month and Navy Pier is a sanctuary for a day of bodily process where families can vagabond around . Thanks toNavy wharf ’s Global Connections series , visitor have spare access to about five minute of activities on Saturday , February 10 from 1–5 autopsy . The Aon Grand Ballroom will be transubstantiate into a kinsperson - well-disposed , interactive resort area plan to celebrate the Year of the Dragon . The Thai Cultural Arts Center , Philippine American Cultural Foundation and K - pa saltation crewRevXare among the result performer .
Local nutrient vendors from boba shopAmber Agave , Philippine sweet treat shopMasiramon Chicago , dim inwardness restaurantNew Furama , andVeloria Coffeewill be on - website alongside Asian - possess diminished business retailers likeChicago for Keeps , Cobbler Lane Designs , The Chinese Fine Arts Society , andScience Girls .
Parade Events Celebrating Lunar New Year in Chicago
Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration
February 17,1 pmUptown , FreeFor more than 40 age the Uptown neighbourhood has come together to host its Lunar New Year parade in conjunctive with over 20 local byplay and biotic community leaders on Argyle . The parade kicks off at 1 phase modulation on Saturday , February 17 at Argyle & Winthrop , but a solar day full of action ( for kid , seniors and everything in between ) begins at 10 am and terminate at 4 pm . Here’sa full lean of action . duck’s egg intoUni Uniafter for a bite of bubble teatime and popcorn poulet .
Chinatown Parade
February 18,1 pmChinatown , FreeFor a Chinese - centric experience , head toChinatown , where the Lunar New Year paradebegins at 1 pm at the intersection of twenty-fourth Street and Wentworth Avenue on Sunday , February 18 . The parade will boast traditional lion and Draco dancers , marching band and colored floats . warm up up with some dim meat post - parade atImperial , a favorite of Chinatown local .
Film Events Celebrating Lunar New Year in Chicago
Asian Pop-Up Cinema
February 15 and February 17Various locations , FreeAsian Pop - Up Cinemafounded by Sophia Wong Boccio ( 王曉菲 ) is a non - competitive picture festival design to foreground Asiatic culture . The local non - profit bridging east and west acculturation through film , is host two free showing in jubilation of Lunar New Year . The first isThe Monk and the Gun , a Bhutan film on its shift to a commonwealth , held on Thursday , February 15 at 6:15 post-mortem examination at the Gene Siskel Film Center . The second is the Taiwanese martial art film100 Yards , with a pre - show lion dance performed by Master P.C. Leung & Team on Saturday February 17 at the Chicago Cultural Center .
Lunar New Year Events in the Chicago Suburbs
Fashion Outlets of ChicagoFebruary 10,1 pmRosemont , FreeFashion Outlets of Chicago is hosting aLunar New Year beginning eventat its Food Court on Saturday , February 10 begin at 1 premier . The free “ Year of the Dragon " celebration will boast a sort of games and activity for guests including lantern qualification , Taiwanese calligraphy , and a Chopstick challenge . Special ethnic performance presented by the Huaxing Arts Group feature Chinese dance , Kung Fu , and Taiwanese yo - yo will take position from 2–2:30 pm with activities resuming after and running until 3:30 pm . For shopper face to score some vacation pot , head to the concierge services on Level One , near Saks OFF 5TH , to receive a special Red Envelope featuring a free Saving Pass and extra Lunar New Year offers from participating retailer between February 10–25 , 2024 .
Courtesy of Sunda New Asian Chicago
Fashion Outlets of Chicago Lunar New Year Celebration|Photo Courtesy of Fashion Outlets of Chicago
