Get ready to celebrate. The Lunar New Year is just around the corner!
The holiday, which marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring, begins on Jan. 29 and runs through Feb. 12. According to Chinese astrology, this is the Year of the Wood Snake. People born under this sign are considered to be cautious, mysterious, charming and wise.
Shake off the winter doldrums and head to NorthPark Center, where together with the Crow Museum of Asian Art of the University of Texas at Dallas and the Dallas Public Library, you can take part in one of the biggest in the area on Jan. 25.
Festivities kick off at 10 a.m. with a lion dancer performance by . The dance is an important ritual in Chinese culture and thought to bring good luck and happiness while chasing away evil spirits. One tip: The performance is loud, so bring ear protection for young children.
After the performance, there's a meet-and-greet at the where kids can "feed" the lion red envelopes. The envelopes, which also symbolize good luck, can contain a dollar or two and are gifts to the dancer for a job well done.
Other highlights include a performance from the and martial-arts demos. Experts from will be set up at Bookmarks with a variety of real snakes to check out.
The day also includes ways to get creative with the kids. Make a paper snake, a paper lantern or a Chinese knot bracelet with the ; or join the for a demo on the art of origami and create fai chun, the red paper banners that symbolize good fortune.
This is a popular event, so be sure to get there early as the crowd is expected to surpass 50,000.
Jan. 25, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., NorthPark Center, Level One in NorthCourt, between Nordstrom and Macy's, 8687 N. Central Expressway, Dallas. Free.
Here are five more ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year around North Texas. And don't forget to check out the calendar for other events in our area.
- , Jan. 17-19, Jan. 24-26 and Feb. 1-2, Asia Times Square, 2625 W. Pioneer Parkway, Grand Prairie. Free.
- , Feb. 6-8, Galleria Dallas, 13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas. Free.
- , Jan. 24, 5-7 p.m., Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, Free.
- Feb. 1, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Southlake Town Square, 1400 Main St., Southlake. Free.
- , Feb. 8, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., DFW Chinatown, 400 N. Greenville Ave., Richardson. Free.
The calendar is a partnership between 四虎影院 and The Dallas Morning News.
Arts Access is an arts journalism collaboration powered by The Dallas Morning News and 四虎影院.
This community-funded journalism initiative is funded by the Better Together Fund, Carol & Don Glendenning, City of Dallas OAC, The University of Texas at Dallas, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Eugene McDermott Foundation, James & Gayle Halperin Foundation, Jennifer & Peter Altabef and The Meadows Foundation. The News and 四虎影院 retain full editorial control of Arts Access鈥� journalism.
