SAN FRANCISCO

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is a popular and important Chinese holiday. Chinese New Year starts on a different day each year, depending on the lunar calendar, and lasts for 14 days. In 2008, Chinese New Year begins on February 7.

According to Mary, our Northern California City Host, with its large Chinese American population, San Francisco is a good choice for travelers who want to join in a public celebration. There are many Chinese New Year events held in San Francisco during the month of February.

• Chinese New Year Flower Fair: The weekend before Chinese New Year, San Francisco’s Chinatown hosts a Chinese New Year Flower Fair. This event provides locals with the opportunity to purchase flowers, fruit, and other items that they will need to prepare their home for the New Year celebration. The Flower Fair, held February 2 and 3, is open to the public. It kicks off the Chinese New Year celebration in The City.
• Chinese New Year Carnival: San Francisco’s Chinese New Year Carnival features street performers, food, and fun. It’s held daily from February 6 to February 24 in Chinatown, at Walter U. Lum Place park, at the corner of Washington and Clay streets.
• San Francisco Symphony Chinese New Year Celebration: On February 10, the San Francisco Symphony will host its annual Chinese New Year Celebration at Davies Symphony Hall. The entire family is welcome to come ring in the year of the Rat with traditional Chinese music, treats, lion dancers, fortune tellers, and more.
• Chinese Culture Center Spring Festival: This family-friendly event will be held on February 23 and 24, at the Chinese Culture Center. The Spring Festival features exhibitions, crafts, food, and more.
• Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Festival and Parade: The Chinese New Year Parade, one of the most spectacular parades in the world, will be held on February 23. Hundreds of thousands of people will turn out to see floats, costumes, fireworks, and traditional dancing dragons.

HONOLULU

Chinese New Year in Honolulu is one of the best celebrations around. The festivities take over Chinatown:

• The 58th Annual Narcissus Festival, featuring the Narcissus Queen and her Court will be held Feb. 1 from 6-10p.m. in Chinatown.
• The Night in Chinatown Festival & Parade will be held Feb. 2 from 9a.m.-10:30p.m. There will be multiple lion dances, with very talented dancers. Families come to enjoy the food and music, and the little keiki are amused and enthralled with the lions.

Our Hawaii City Host, Jackie’s favorite part of Chinese New Year is the lions: “They are so colorful, the dancers are amazing and each lion has a different expression. During the festivities local merchants join in the celebration by inviting the lion into their store or restaurant.”

Gung hay fat choy! (or “Best wishes and Congratulations. Have a prosperous and good year!”)