Celebrate the Start of the Year of the Dragon in the Pacific Northwest

Chinese New Year celebration in Seattle's Chinatown International District. Joe Mabel/Flickr Creative Commons

The Year of the Dragon begins January 23, 2012 and the Pacific Northwest is ready to celebrate! Chinese New Year celebrates the new lunar year, which is based off of the cycles of the moon. Most Chinese New Year celebrations in Western culture feature lion and dragon dances and parades as well as lantern festivals. The celebration is 15 days long, this year from January 23-February 6 and throughout the Pacific Northwest, public events will be taking place to celebrate the start of the Year of the Dragon!

Seattle:

The Wing Luke starts the celebration with their annual Lion Dance which is January 21 at 11 a.m. The celebration continues on January 28th with Seattle’s Annual Lunar New Year Festival in the Chinatown-International District. From 11-4, enjoy entertainment and a food walk! From the Clipper terminal, it is easy to take the bus (99, which is free) down to the International District to take part in the festivities. A two night package from Victoria to Seattle starts at only $178 pp/do.

Vancouver:

Chinese New Year Parade on January 29th at noon. On the 28th and the 29th attend the Cultural Fair at Sun Yat-sen Plaza featuring multicultural performances, a lion dance, martial arts demonstrations and more. Vancouver has one of the largest celebrations of the Chinese New Year in North America. A one night Seattle to Vancouver Amtrak vacation package starts at $116 pp/do.

Portland:

The Lan Su Garden celebrates Chinese culture and history from January 23-February 6 with events every day and ticketed lantern viewings February 5 & 6. If you’re interested in visiting Portland for the Chinese New Year or just for a short getaway, one night Amtrak packages from Seattle start at $116 pp/do.

Victoria:

Celebrate in Victoria, BC with an afternoon of music and dance with the Victoria Conservatory of Music’s “A Harmonious Celebration” on January 22 or purchase a lantern in support of the Victoria Dragonboat Festival. A one night package to Victoria from Seattle is $116 pp/do.