Tzu-Tsen Wu holds a ruan
The Lunar New Year will start on February 10, 2024, and in Chicago, festivities abound in the weeks surrounding the dawning Year of the Dragon.
Peruse some music, arts, and culture celebrations in the coming weeks below!
Lunar New Year Celebration featuring Tzu-Tsen Wu & friends
2/7 at the Old Town School of Folk Music; free (donation suggested)
Chicago-based, Taiwan-born musician Tzu-Tsen Wu headlines a celebratory set at the Old Town School of Folk Music.
Lunar New Year Celebration at the Field Museum
2/8 at the Field Museum; free with admission (from $14)
For the cost of admission, you can not only peruse Chicago’s treasured museum of natural history, but you can also take part in music and other arts performances to usher in the Year of the Dragon.
Asian American Coalition of Chicago: 41st Annual Lunar New Year Celebration
2/10 at Drury Lane in Oakbrook, IL; $110 each, currently sold out
Celebrate the Lunar New Year through a banquet! Included is dinner, music, and traditional lion dances, all taking place in the sparkling Drury Lane ballroom.
Chicago Philharmonic: Chinese New Year Concert & Celebration
2/10 at the Harris Theater; currently sold out
At the time of writing, this performance is sold out. But interested audience members are invited to join the waiting list for this co-presentation with the Chinese Consulate.
Dragon Exhibit: Opening Ceremony
2/10 at the Heritage Museum of Asian Art; from $5
Enjoy the opening ceremony for this special Lunar New Year exhibit all about dragons! See how dragons have been depicted in art over the years, and learn about their cultural significance.
Listening to Singers: Chinese Opera Singers
2/10, 4pm on WFMT; free
Tune in to 98.7 FM, WFMT.com, or the WFMT app to join host Oliver Camacho for a look at some of today's brightest opera stars: Ying Fang, Guang Yang, and more.
Navy Pier Global Connections: Lunar New Year
2/10 at Navy Pier; free
Navy Pier hosts Chinese Fine Arts Society-presented family-friendly festivities from a wealth of backgrounds, including performances from Korean, Japanese, Thai, Filipino, and Chinese traditions.
Lunar New Year Concert Featuring Rabia Brooke
2/11 at the Chicago Cultural Center; free
Introductions alumna violinist Rabia Brooke shares the world premiere of a violin suite by Chinese-American composer Lei Liang in a concert that also features Mongolian folk fusion artists! Arrive early to the Chinese Fine Arts Society-sponsored event for a pre-show talk with Brooke and Liang.
2024 Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration
2/17 on Uptown's Argyle Street; free, optional donation
A Chicago Lunar New Year tradition that's 40+ years strong! Community groups, performers, vendors, and activities are taking part in the celebrations. And a 1pm parade is a highlight of the festivities!
Fox Valley Mall Lunar New Year Celebration
2/17 at the Fox Valley Mall; free
Ring in the Chinese New Year with music, booths, and cultural performances at the Fox Valley Mall! There will even be a red envelope giveaway for eligible audience members.
Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade
2/18 in Chicago’s Chinatown; free
Kicking off at Wentworth Avenue, Chicago’s Chinatown is the scene of a parade celebrating the arrival of 4722, the Year of the Dragon.
Edited 2/9/24 to add thed Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration
