Chinese New Year blasts off in Chinatown this weekend

January 28, 2011 08:01 AM

I am bunny. Hear me roar. There’s a whole lot going down in Chinatown this weekend. Here’s the lowdown.

Chinatown Get Down
Friday, January 28 and Saturday, January 29
Multiple Downtown venues

If you’re over 21 and near Downtown, you’re likely to ring in this Chinese New Year weekend at the Chinatown Get Down, a party across Chinatown’s finest drinking establishments. One cover charge gets you into SOHO Mixed Media Bar, Indigo, thirtyninehotel, Mercury Bar, Bar 35, Manifest, Nextdoor, and more.

For more information, visit chinatowngetdown.com.

62nd Annual Narcissus Festival and Choy Cheng, Traditional Lion Dance Blessing, and Chinatown Open House
Friday, January 28 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Throughout Chinatown
Open to the public, Free

Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii presents a whole lot in Chinatown and at Chinatown Cultural Plaza on Friday. The evening begins at 8 South King St. with the traditional Chinese lion dance blessing—Choy Cheng. The Narcissus Queen and her court will visit Chinatown businesses and their patrons. Stores celebrate by lighting firecrackers and offering lisee (good luck money envelopes) to the dancing lions. Meanwhile, the Chinatown Open House celebration takes place at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza, with food vendors, arts and crafts booths, and entertainment.

Chinatown New Year Celebration
Saturday, January 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Chinatown Cultural Plaza
Open to the public, Free

Food vendors provide an assortment of Chinese ethnic favorites, including jai (vegetarian monk’s food), gin doi (Chinese doughnut), gau (New Year pudding), and jook (rice soup). Entertainment includes ethnic dance troupes, local musical groups, and martial arts and weapons demonstrations.

Night in Chinatown Parade
Saturday, January 29 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Hotel Street
Open to the public, Free

The Chinatown Merchants Association presents the “Night In Chinatown” Parade, which begins at 3:30 p.m. on Hotel Street at the State Capitol and proceeds to Maunakea Street. Parade participants include Festival Queens and their courts, cultural organizations, kung fu martial artists, as well as lion and dragon dance associations, including a special performance by a 150 foot dragon.

Night in Chinatown Festival
Saturday, January 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Throughout Chinatown
Open to the public, Free

Chinatown Merchants Association presents the Night in Chinatown Festival on Maunakea Street and Smith Street. This all-day block party features booths with home-cooked Asian food and traditional New Year’s arts and crafts, as well as, entertainment on two stages with martial arts, cultural demonstrations, and Chinese lion and dragon dance performances. Visit Keiki Land where there are activities for children of all ages, from inflatable rides to games. Join the Little Miss Chinatown activity and have an opportunity to participate in the parade. Also, special guests, including lion dance performances and other fun activities will occur throughout the day.