Chinese New Year Events in Chicago: The Year of the Horse

The Chinese New Year is upon us and it’s time to celebrate the year of the Horse with several different events hitting Chicago! If you’re looking for something to do, check out this list of must-see events that are meant to transform Chicago into the largest Chinese New Year destination in North America!

Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade:
Start off with a parade, because every celebration needs its own parade and the Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade should not disappoint! The parade will include marching bands, traditional dragon, lion dances, and decorative floats. There will be around 30,000 in attendance! The parade starts at 1pm on Wentworth Ave. from 24th St. to Cermak Rd. and then West on Cermak towards Princeton Ave!

Bloomdingdale’s:
To celebrate Chinese New Year, Bloomingdales will be ringing in the Year of the Horse with unique pop-up shops, merchandise, special events, and cultural presentations from January 30th through February 5th!

Luminance:
A great time to try out Millennium Park’s Ice Rink would be during the Chinese New Year as it is going to be lit up with several different shades of colors including shifting palettes of red, blue, green, yellow, and magenta for an immersive and playful experience of shadow!

Chicago Chinese New Year Celebration at Navy Pier with Redmoon Theatre:
Navy Pier’s Grand Ballroom will include poetic ritual environments featuring intermittent performance by Chicago-based Chinese cultural partners, masked performers, interactive creation stations, and spectacle devices. The Chicago Cubs will be sponsoring a fireworks display at Navy Pier that will include primarily red fireworks (with some silver and gold mixed in).

Spring Light:
See Chicago’s famous architecture in a new light! Spring Light is the celebration of light and projection inspired by Chinese philosophy, art, architecture and traditional folklore illuminate the Chicago Cultural Center to commemorate the Chinese New Year. “Spring Light” transforms the building into a moving world where images of nature, people, geometry and color all intertwine in an artistic and harmonious balance.

Enjoy and Happy New Year! – Leah Sammak