Boston is galloping into the Year of the Horse with a burst of activities that cast a wide net over the city's diverse cultural offerings. From traditional dances to culinary delights and artisan crafts, Lunar New Year fervor is palpable across the area. The Lunar New Year, often referred to as the Spring Festival in China, officially begins on Feb. 17, but the celebrations spill well into February and early March, brightening up the winter doldrums with a cavalcade of events.
Noteworthy among the events, Boston’s Loring Greenough House invites individuals to take part in dumpling-making and playing traditional Vietnamese games on Feb. 14 and 15, while the Berklee Performance Center is slated to hold a Chinese New Year Concert on Feb. 12 featuring a mix of past and present Chinese music. Over at the Peabody Essex Museum, festivities kick off with a Gund Kwok lion and dragon dance performance on Feb. 21, as reported by The Boston Globe.
The anticipated lineup includes the Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese works on display during the MFA Boston Lunar New Year celebration and the AAPI maker market at Bow Market, which promises to be a showcase of regional artisan talent. Keeping the momentum high, Mei Mei Dumplings will be serving a bottomless dumpling fest on Feb. 22, marking their third anniversary and the traditional holiday, the details of which have been furnished by The Boston Globe.
Meanwhile, according to Meet Boston, Boston will not shy away from showcasing its cultural depth, with the city's Chinatown offering daily tours throughout the festive period. Intertwining food and history, the tours provide an immersive look into the area's rich tapestry. And, on Feb. 21, the Lunar New Year at MIT is free to the public, featuring tai chi lessons and a traditional lion dance, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune for the year ahead.
Community mainstays are amplifying the celebrations too, as Quincy Lunar New Year Festival and Braintree Lunar New Year Festival both aim to set the stage with a variety of performances and cultural showcases on Feb. 22 and Feb. 15 respectively. The array of offerings culminates in grandeur with the Lunar New Year Lion Dance Parade in Chinatown on Mar. 1, promising a feast for the eyes and heart, complete with lion dances, live performances, and a bevy of traditional activities.
