Chinese New Year Festival

Year of the Tiger
Monday, February 15, 2010 (President's Day)
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Gung hay fat choy! Good fortune and happiness! Join us for the Museum's annual celebration of Chinese New Year. Create a lucky red envelope or beautiful paper lantern. Try your hand at calligraphy or make your own traditional sweet wontons, and we'll cook it for you! Learn more about the Chinese zodiac and don't miss the spectacular lion dancers of the Marin Chinese Cultural Group, performances, and more.

This event is produced in partnership with the Marin Chinese Cultural Association.

Performances

Join us for the exciting dragon dancing by Dragonhorse Lion Dance and a special double performance of Chinese traditional dancers.

Lion Dance
Festival Plaza (if raining, performances will be in the Discovery Theatre. Please pick up your free tickets at the Front Desk before entry.) 
10 a.m. Dragon Horse  Lion Dancers
2 p.m. Marin Chinese Cultural Association Lion Dancers
Free with Museum admission

China Dance School & Theatre
Discovery Theater
11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Members $7; General Child $12; General Adult $14 (includes Museum admission)
Buy tickets online

Activities

Chinese Calligraphy, Studio 5
Lucky Red Envelopes/Kites, Ceramics Studio
Chinese Zodiac Symbols, Studio 5
Lantern Making, Studio 10
Sweet Fried Wontons, The Playhouse

Traditions and Customs

Chinese New Year is a festive family holiday which celebrates the beginning of the New Year. The date is determined by the Chinese Lunar Calendar and usually falls in late January or February and the series of celebratory events can last up to two weeks. The primary focus at this time is to ensure good luck, pay respects to ancestors, gods and spirits, and to wish good fortune for friends and family in the coming year.

The Kitchen God – Tsun Kwan

On the 23rd day of the last month of the New Year, the Kitchen God leaves the family’s home to report to heaven on the family’s behavior during the past year. Families pray to the Kitchen God and serve a special dinner in his honor. Sweet foods are served to “sweeten up” the God’s report to heaven. After dinner, his picture is burned and many people light firecrackers.,On New Year’s Day, the Kitchen God returns to the family. On New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, families get together and have feasts. Houses are cleaned prior to New Year’s Eve, but not on the celebratory days themselves.

The Zodiac

The Chinese Zodiac is divided into 12 parts, each representing a different animal. Each year is ruled by one of these 12 animals. 2010 is the Year of the Tiger!

Red Envelopes

Children receive lucky red envelopes with money inside. The envelopes, called “Li-cee,” represent good luck and bring good fortune.