Visit Philadelphia for the Chinese New Year

Celebrate the Chinese New Year in Philadelphia with cultural events and exhibitions, parades, sumptuous banquets and Chinatown tours. A bustling urban community located in downtown Philadelphia, Chinatown comes alive during this major cultural celebration, as family members return from far and wide for the lavish meals, religious ceremonies and family reunions. (Click here for my article detailing Chinese New Year Traditions.) Chinese New Year 2011, the year of the Rabbit, begins on February 3rd, ending 15 days later on the full moon. There are no shortage of events, activities and things to see in Philadelphia.

The China Gate: Philadelphia's magnificent "Paifang," the archway known as the China Gate, at 10th Street between Market and Arch Streets is your entry to Philadelphia's Chinatown. Don't miss this structure, designed in 1984 by Sabrina Soong in the Qing Dynasty style, and constructed with tiles from Tianjin, Philadelphia's Chinese sister city by a team of Chinese artisans and engineers.

Philadelphia 2011 Chinese New Year Lion Dance and Parade. Philadelphia's Chinese New Year celebration kicks off on Saturday evening, February 2, 2011 at 11:00 p.m. at the China Gate. Enjoy fireworks and a New Year's Eve Lion Dance parade. Call the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation at 215-772-0739 for more information.

Chef Joseph Poon's 2011 Chinese New Year Banquet (Joseph Poon Chef Kitchen, 1010 Cherry Street, Philadelphia): Philadelphia's dynamic Chef Joseph Poon presents his annual Chinese New Year Banquet, a 10-course meal served family-style or individually for groups of six or more. The Chinese New Year banquet menu is served Monday to Sunday nights through March 31, 2011. Seatings are at 5:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m., and reservations are required. Cost is $35.00 per person (cash or check, BYOB) plus tax and gratuity. Call 215-928-9333 for reservations. Visit this site to see the menu.

Chef Joseph Poon's "Wok 'n' Walk" Tour of Chinatown: Chef Joseph Poon also hosts his walking tour of Philadelphia's Chinatown, offering an insider's view of the community, as well as insight into the history and culture of Philadelphia's Chinatown. Along the tour, you will stop at a fortune cookie factory, a Chinese place of worship, a Chinese herbal medicine shop, a Chinese bakery, a fish market, an Asian grocery store and more. A four-course meal follows the walking tour. Click here for exact dates and times of the tour, and here for the menu. The Tours meet at the Chef Kitchen, 1010 Cherry Street, 2nd floor. Tickets are $60 per adult, 6-10 years, half price, age 5 and under FREE. Group rates available. Call 215-928-9333 for reservations and information, or visit this site.

Penn Museum's 30th Annual Chinese New Year Celebration: On Saturday, February 12, 2011, from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology welcomes the Chinese New Year with music and dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, children's activities, storytelling, healing arts workshops and arts and crafts. The finale is a performance of the traditional Chinese Lion Dance parade. Visit the University's website here for more information.

Lunar New Year Jade Gala Asian Tasting Event (Lowes Hotel, 1200 Market St., Phila., PA, 19107): Corresponding with the beginning of the Lunar New Year, The National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) Philadelphia is hosting a food-tasting fundraiser to benefit winners of the annual NAAAP Philadelphia Scholarship Program. On Friday, February 4, 2011, from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm, Loews Hotel Millennium Ballroom will host over 20 participating restaurants, who will serve a variety of Asian culinary delights, ABC's Action News reporter Nydia Han will emcee and a silent auction will be held. Visit this site to purchase tickets online.

Philadelphia 2011 Chinese New Year Festival of Lanterns: The Festival of Lanterns marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Throughout Chinatown, paper lanterns are carried through the streets. Call the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation at 215-772-0739 for more information.

The Lion Dance parade is usually held every weekend of the two-week celebration. Check the Chinatown Development Corporation Facebook Page for up to date information on exactly where and when the parades will take place.

Sources: History.com; JosephPoon.com; Chinatown Development Corp.