Are you ready to welcome the Year of the Rabbit, Philly?
With a large and proud Chinese population, Philadelphia does Lunar New Year right, offering plenty of opportunities to celebrate the occasion with traditional lion dances, special cuisine and the exchanging of lucky red envelopes taking place throughout the city.
For Lunar New Year in 2023 (officially January 22, 2023), look forward to lion dances led by the iconic Philadelphia Suns in Chinatown, Dilworth Park and Reading Terminal Market as well as cultural celebrations at Parkway Central Library and the Penn Museum.
Foodies can get their fill at one of the city’s many excellent Chinese restaurants, or take a more hands-on approach by learning to make traditional Chinese dishes during special workshops at the Dumpling Academy.
Below are a few ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Philadelphia as we sprint into the Year of the Rabbit.
Luk Fu Philly, a casual Asian fusion restaurant located inside Live Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, celebrates the Year of the Rabbit with festive décor, special Lunar New Year menu items, sake selections and lucky red envelopes for diners.
Where: Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, 900 Packer Avenue
The Penn Museum’s annual daylong Lunar New Year celebration — held in partnership with Northeast Philly’s American Chinese Museum — includes traditional Chinese dances, storytelling, musical performances featuring traditional Chinese instruments and a lion dance finale from The University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Lions dance troupe. A pop-up marketplace in the museum’s Asia galleries features paper art and crafting activities to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit. Lunar New Year events and festivities are included in regular museum admission.
Where: Penn Museum, 3260 South Street
The Main Line Art Center rings in the Year of the Rabbit with a free event featuring hands-on crafting activities for the kiddos and a special lion dance performance from the Philadelphia Suns. The event is free to attend, but registration is required.
Where: Main Line Art Center, 746 Panmure Road, Haverford
Before taking a spin around the ice rink in the shadow of City Hall, pop into the Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin to enjoy a special Lunar New Year-inspired menu. Outside, check out a giant prancing lion and performances from traditional Chinese dancers. Bonus: The first 100 guests inside the Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin receive lucky red envelopes containing a few secret prizes.
Where: Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th Street
January 21 & 22, 2023
Philly’s Chinatown community gathers in the streets for two Lunar New Year parades led by The Philadelphia Suns. A late-night Lunar New Year’s Eve celebration kicks off at 10 p.m. from 10th and Spring streets on January 21, 2023. On January 22, a daytime parade follows the same route at 11 a.m. The parades consist of lion dancing, drumming and firecrackers — meant to bring good luck to the local community.
Where: North 10th & Spring streets
January 21 – February 14, 2023 (select dates)
The Dumpling Academy’s popular hands-on dumpling workshops are back for The Year of the Rabbit. Led by an expert instructor, participants work together to prepare savory dumpling fillings before wrapping, cooking and enjoying the delicious treats as a group. In addition to dumplings, the class will learn to make Tangyuan — a traditional Chinese rice ball dessert that is a staple of Lunar New Year celebrations. Bonus: Participants enjoy complimentary dim sum snacks before class gets underway. Tickets and registration are required.
Where: Dumpling Academy, 2401 Walnut Street
The Philadelphia Suns parade through Center City’s historic indoor market, making stops at several Chinese-owned businesses, including Sang Kee Peking Duck, Shanghai Gourmet and Tambayan.
Where: Reading Terminal Market, 1136 Arch Street
The Pennsylvania Asian Institute and the Free Library of Philadelphia team up for this free event featuring traditional dances, a children’s Taekwondo demonstration and a cultural fashion show.
Where: Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street
Bundle up for this free outdoor celebration at The Rail Park featuring light refreshments, family-friendly activities and a 2 p.m. performance from the Philadelphia Suns. The event is open to the public with no registration required.
Where: The Rail Park, 1150 Callowhill Street
The Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation’s Chinese New Year Banquet features a cocktail hour and awards ceremony for those making a difference in the community. The annual event raises funds to increase equitable outcomes for the Asian American Pacific Islander immigrant community. Tickets and registration are required.
Where: Crane Community Center, 1001 Vine Street
There’s never a bad time to support your favorite Chinese restaurant, or to discover a new Chinatown gem. For the best places to eat this Lunar New Year and beyond, check out our guide to the best restaurants in Chinatown and our roundup of great Asian-owned restaurants in Philadelphia.
Where: Various locations including EMei Restaurant, 915 Arch Street
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.
Tastes of Cantonese, Sichuan, Burmese, Taiwanese and more Asian cultures...