Where To Celebrate The Year Of The Tiger In The US

February first marks the Lunar New Year, and this time we are welcoming the year of the tiger. Millions of people from across the planet celebrate the Chinese New Year annually, while traditions and celebrations vary, one aspect that stays the same across cultures is the atmosphere of celebration and excitement. Even if you can’t make it over to Asia this year, or are interested in contributing to local Chinese communities across the US- this list highlights some of the most iconic Lunar New Year celebrations in the country. Massive street markets in San Francisco, Cultural festivities in Honolulu, and firecracker ceremonies in Chicago- check out our picks for some of the best places to celebrate the year of the tiger, with lots of fortune, fun, and food.

Boston, Honolulu, New York, Chicago, San Francisco

• Boston, United States

  
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  Boston goes all out with a massive and vibrantly colored Lunar New Year Parade. The annual festival is the largest celebration in Boston’s Chinatown- home to the third-largest Chinese community in the country. As Chinatown goes pedestrian-only, visitors can sample local eateries, explore boutiques, and witness the beauty of elaborately decorated streets and alleyways throughout the neighborhood. With the exhilarating firecrackers bursting in bright colors, dazzling cultural shows taking over the streets, and mouthwatering food available around every corner, Boston is one of the most entertaining cities to be in for the Lunar New Year.

• Honolulu, United States

  
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  Honolulu’s Chinese New Year Celebration is a family-friendly, colorful event that happens annually at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza in the city. Featuring an array of live cultural performances, tasty eats, and gorgeous decorations brightening up the island streets- Honolulu is one of the most beautiful places to soak in the New Lunar Year.

• New York, United States

  
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  Locals and tourists flock to NYC Chinatown for a Lunar New Year celebration fit for the city that never sleeps. Mott and Canal Street glow with warm reds and oranges, costumed dances, and dragon processions take over the streets, and a sense of wonder and joy flow throughout the historical Chinatown neighborhood. With firecracker ceremonies, parades, and street food- you can always count on New York for an authentic experience of the Lunar New Year.

• Chicago, United States

  
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  Chicago lights up for an entire two weeks to celebrate the Lunar New Year rain or shine (or in Chicago's case, snow). Bracing the chilly temperatures is so worth it for this iconic celebration. Traditional lion dances, food stalls, and an annual parade take over the windy city. There are *so* many exciting activities to uncover- from organized food tours highlighting local Chinese restaurants to exhilarating cultural performances and radiant decorations.

• San Francisco, United States

  
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  San Francisco encompasses one of the most established, historical Chinatown neighborhoods in the country- every year The Lunar New Year festivities are guaranteed to be some of the most exhilarating. Parades, a market fair, and lantern festivals burst throughout the famous neighborhood- beyond the iconic Dragon’s Gate. Explore an array of local eateries, fascinating shops, and exciting activities to welcome the year of the tiger.