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It’s the Year of the Dog: Celebrate Lunar New Year Nearby
Xin Nian Kuai Le! February 16th marks the 2018 Chinese Lunar New Year. It’s traditionally celebrated for 16 days, from the eve to Lantern Festival (March 2nd 2018). The coming 7-day Spring Festival public holiday will be February 15–21, 2018. Each year is associated with one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. For 2018, it’s The Year of the Dog. Here are a few great ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year:
Dine on Dim Sum with these top spots in San Mateo County and plan your evening with these games, food, and activities to ring in the New Year.
Chinese New Year at Hillsdale Shopping Center:
Celebrate the Year of the Dog at Hillsdale Shopping Center, February 8th, 4-5pm. Lion dancers, lantern-making, calligraphy for the kids and more! It’s the Year of the Dog and Hillsdale Shopping Center is hosting a 2018 Chinese New Year celebration. Festivities begin with Lion Dancers, in vivid, colorful, dragon-like costumes performing their traditional dance, accompanied by music and heart-pounding beating drums. A Chinese calligrapher will be on hand to pen ancient characters on commemorative cards. Kids can make customary lanterns and receive red envelopes symbolizing energy, happiness and good wishes. Event is free and fun for the entire family. To learn more visit, hillsdale.com or call 650-571-1029.
Lunar New Year with Foster City Parks & Rec:
The Foster City Parks and Recreation Department and Bright Horizons Chinese School are excited to host a Lunar New Year Celebration on Sunday, February 18, 2018 from 11 AM to 2 PM in the Recreation Center. This event features vendors offering unique gifts and specialty items, great food, and wonderful performances from local community groups. This free cultural event is geared towards the entire family!
Lunar New Year Celebration at the History Museum:
On February 24th from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., the History Museum will join in Redwood City’s annual celebration of the Lunar New Year. The free event includes performances on Courthouse Square and Lion Dancers, Red Panda Acrobats, Martial Arts, and Kids Arts & Crafts will all be happening inside the San Mateo County History Museum.
Celebrate Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dog on February 24th with the San Francisco Symphony at this family event that draws on both ancient and contemporary traditions. Arrive at 2pm for the activity-filled Festival Reception with Chinese instruments, lion dancing, “lucky” red envelopes, entertainment, tea bars, sweet and savory bites, and more.
San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade:
Just a hop, skip and jump away from your life at Bay Meadows is one of the top ten parades in the world that promises to warm your heart and electrify your senses. Experience gorgeous floats, elaborate costumes, ferocious lions and exploding firecrackers. The newly crowned Miss Chinatown U.S.A. with her court is a crowd favorite in the spectacular 268′ Golden Dragon. Visit the full calendar of events here.
Lunar New Year Celebration and Other Asian Traditions:
On February 25th, 12–4:30pm, join OMCA for the 17th annual Lunar New Year celebration, a fortune-filled family-friendly event to welcome in the Year of the Dog. Enjoy live performances and an array of Asian traditions in arts, crafts, food, demonstrations, and so much more. Explore connections between the diverse Asian cultures represented in California, including Chinese, Tibetan, Korean, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Japanese, and other Asian cultures.
History suggests that before Buddha left this world, he invited all of the animals to join him around his table for a feast. Of all of the creatures in the land, only 12 arrived. For their loyalty and faithfulness, these animals were rewarded in perpetuity by having a year named after each of them in their order of arrival.
The 12 animals run in sequence beginning with the Rat and followed by the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and last, but not least, the Pig.
Occupying the 11th position in the Chinese Zodiac, the Dog symbolizes character traits such as loyalty, compatibility and kindness. Dogs frequently offer kind words and useful advice, always listening and lending a shoulder when necessary. Dogs are determined individuals; always wanting to master a new subject before moving on and always finishing what they start. Dogs value friendships; they’re loyal, honest, trustworthy and reliable and have strong morals and ethics. A well-kept, organized home is very important. Keeping a clean home and helping at work stems from the Dog’s need to be active and involved.
An ideally located community, Bay Meadows is only 10 minutes from Palo Alto, 20 minutes from San Francisco, and has 3 airports (SFO, OAK, SJC) within 30 miles. Bay Meadows is also located on Caltrain, which makes travel and commutes that much easier. Talk about convenient! Bay Meadows is the centralized place to reduce commutes, meet friends and play. Looking for ideas of where to ride? Check out our bike map here.