The Lunar New Year, is the festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar/solar calendar used by some East Asian cultures. It traditionally marks the end of winter and the beginning of the spring season. This year. Lunar New Year, marked by the new moon, is January 22nd and celebrates the Year of the Rabbit. Rabbits are associated with good fortune and the element of metal (maybe money?). It is said that people born in the year of the rabbit are intelligent, kind and gentle.
While celebrating Lunar New Year should be done with friends for whom this holiday holds importance, here are 7 fun ways to bring awareness to your children about Lunar New Year:
- Make a traditional food: Try making dumplings, spring rolls, or other traditional Lunar New Year dishes with your kids.
- Create a paper lantern: Hang colorful paper lanterns around the house to celebrate the holiday. You can also have your kids help decorate the lanterns with markers, stickers, or glitter.
- Attend a Lion Dance: A lion dance is a traditional Chinese dance that is often performed during the Lunar New Year. You can You can attend a few around the Charlotte area or watch one online
- Chinese New Year Lion Dance at Asian Corner Mall
Saturday, January 21st, 2023
11 a.m.
Asian Corner Mall
4520 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC - Chinese New Year Lion Dance (and more) at Resident Culture Brewing Plaza Midwood
Saturday, January 21st, 2023
6 p.m.
Resident Culture Brewing Plaza Midwood
2101 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC
Before the 6 p.m. Lion Dance performance, Hung Gar Kung Fu will be in the children’s area of the festival. Kids can hold a Lion Head and beat the drum. - Chinese New Year Lion Dance at New Asian Market
Sunday, January 22nd, 2023
11 a.m.
New Asian Market
4400 Potters Road, Stallings, NC
- Chinese New Year Lion Dance at Asian Corner Mall
- Make red envelopes: Red envelopes, also known as "hongbao," are often given to children during the Lunar New Year as a symbol of good luck. Have your kids help you make homemade red envelopes by decorating paper with markers or stickers.
- Go visit a local farm and feed the bunnies - since this year is the Year of the Rabbit
- Learn about the zodiac: The Lunar New Year is also associated with the Chinese zodiac. Have your kids find out what their zodiac sign is and learn about the characteristics associated with it.
- Watch a Lunar New Year movie: There are many movies and TV shows that feature the Lunar New Year as a central theme. Oddbods has a show as does Peppa Pig.
