The Lunar New Year arrives on February 1st, and Boston is ready to celebrate. Our city has the third largest Chinese community in the country, so the celebrations here are some of the biggest in the Northeast. To get in the festive spirit, here are four local events happening in Boston this January and February that are all about ringing in the new year.
Chinese New Year Flower Pop-Up Market
From January 22nd to the 31st, you can prepare for the Lunar New Year by stopping by this pop-up market in Chinatown. You can get flowers, red envelopes, decorations, and more from local small businesses at 681-683 Washington St, across from the Empire Garden Restaurant.
When: Jan 22 – Jan 31 from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Where: 681-683 Washington St, Chinatown
Pao Arts Center’s Lunar New Year Celebration
Pao, Chinatown’s first community-based arts center, is back again for the Lunar New Year to host fun arts & crafts activities for the whole family to enjoy. With both virtual and in-person options, you can pick up an activity packet at the center and follow along at home, or stop by the center on Febrary 13th and enjoy their exhibits in-person.
When: Feburary 8-13 (online); Sunday, February 13, 12:00 – 2:00 pm (in-person)
Where: Pao Arts Center, 99 Albany Street, Boston.
Tết in Boston: Vietnamese Lunar New Year
Tết is an annual festival that celebrates the Lunar New Year along with Boston’s vibrant Vietnamese community. For only $2 (or $1 if pre-ordered online!), you can attend this festival with over 80 vendors that offer delicious food and unique art, in addition to musical and dance performances throughout the day.
When: Sunday, February 6, 2022, from 10:30am to 5pm
Where: 1 Black Falcon Ave., Boston, MA 02210
Chinatown’s Chinese New Year Cultural Village
Boston’s biggest Lunar New Year celebration kicks off on Sunday, February 13, with a vibrant cultural village in Chinatown. In addition to some of the best street food you can get in Boston, this celebration will feature calligraphy and origami demonstrations, lantern making, and of course, firecrackers and lion dancing!
When: February 13, 2022, from 11:30 am – 3:00 pm
Where: China Trade Center – 2 Boylston Street, across from CVS & Orange Line (Chinatown T Stop)
[featured image: Unsplash / Branden Skeli]