Lunar New Year, also sometimes known as Chinese New Year, will be celebrated in many countries throughout Asia, and many areas in the U.S. as well, on Jan. 29, 2025. Chicagoโs Chinatown is home to one of the largest Lunar New Year celebrations in North America.
Here are some of theย Lunar New Year celebrations taking place in Chicago and the suburbs to usher in the Year of the Snake.ย
Family-Friendly Lunar New Year Events in Chicago and the suburbs
Lunar New Year at Buffalo Grove Community Arts Center
Jan. 18, 2025ย
- Address:225 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove
- Cost:ย Free
This Lunar New Year celebration features family-friendly activities such as live entertainment, crafts and more. Food and drinks are available to purchase. Registration required.
Chinese New Year Craft at Toman Branch
Jan. 23, 2025
- Address:Wentworth Avenue and Cermak Road, Chicago
- Cost:ย Free
Ages 13-19 can celebrate the Chinese New Year by watching anime and creating a paper craft at Toman Branch.
Chinese New Year Dumpling Making Dinner at Hing Kee Restaurant
Jan. 25-26, Feb. 1-2, 2025
- Address:ย 2140 S. Archer Ave., Chicago
- Cost:ย $40-$55
Celebrate the Chinese New Year with a family-style dining experience on the second floor of Hing Kee Restaurant. Also enjoy lion-dancing, dumpling making, storytelling and more.
Family Fun: Dragon Puppet Craft at McKinley Park Branch
Jan. 25, 2025
- Address:ย 1915 W. 35th St., Chicagoย
- Cost:ย Free
All ages can come out to McKinley Park Branch to create a dragon puppet craft in celebration of the Lunar New Year.
Lunar New Year Celebration at Fashion Outlets of Chicago
Jan. 25, 2025
- Address:ย 5220 Fashion Outlets Way, Rosemont
- Cost:ย Free
At this kick-off event, guests can enjoy games, performances and activities including dumpling making, lantern crafting, Chinese calligraphy and more.
Chinese New Year Celebration at Woodson Regional Branch
Jan. 28, 2025
- Address:ย 9525 S. Halsted St., Chicagoย
- Cost:ย Free
Ages 3-9 can enjoy a Lunar New Year Celebration with stories, crafts and games as they are celebrated in China.
Lunar New Year Celebration at Chinatown Branch
Jan. 28, 2025
- Address:ย 2100 S. Wentworth Ave., Chicagoย ย
- Cost:ย Free
Ages 5-13 can join Chinatown Branch to celebrate Lunar New Year and The Year of the Snake by making themed crafts.
Chinese New Year Craft at Greater Grand Crossing Branch
Jan. 29, 2025
- Address:ย 1000 E. 73rd St., Chicago
- Cost:ย Free
All ages can come out to the Greater Grand Crossing Branch to create crafts for the Chinese New Year. Registration required.
Lunar New Year Celebration Craft at West Pullman Branch
Jan. 29, 2025
- Address:ย 830 W. 119th St., Chicago
- Cost:ย Free
Ages 6 and up can come out to West Pullman Branch to create a snake-inspired craft and learn about the Year of the Snake.
Lunar New Year Stories and Craft at South Shore Branch
Jan. 29, 2025
- Address:ย 2505 E. 73rd St., Chicagoย ย
- Cost:ย Free
Ages 5-12 can join the library to celebrate the Year of the Snake with stories and a craft for Lunar New Year.
Lunar New Year Celebration at Lozano Branch
Jan. 30, 2025
- Address:ย 1805 S. Loomis St., Chicago
- Cost:ย Free
Ages 5 and up can come out to Lozano Branch to create snake-inspired crafts to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
A Loooooooong Celebration: Lunar New Year Show at Heritage Museum of Asian Art
Feb. 1, 2025
- Address:3500 S. Morgan St., Chicago
- Cost:ย $35-plus
Families can come to the Heritage Museum of Asian Art to bid farewell to the Year of the Dragon. The event features art, live music, performances, food, drinks and fortune-telling.
Chinese New Year Craft at Rogers Park Branch
Feb. 5, 2025
- Address:ย 6907 N. Clark St., Chicago
- Cost:ย Free
Ages 6-12 can come out to Rogers Park Branch to create a paper craft to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration
Feb. 8, 2025
- Address:Argyle Street and Sheridan Road, Chicago
- Cost:ย Free
The parade will kick-off at 1 p.m. at Argyle Street and Sheridan Road. A number of local organizations are planning pop-ups with family-friendly activities.
Lunar New Year Stories and Crafts at Bezazian Branch
Feb. 8, 2025
- Address:ย 1226 W. Ainslie St., Chicagoย ย
- Cost:ย Free
Ages 3 and up can join the library to celebrate the Year of the Snake with Lunar New Year-themed stories, songs and a craft.
Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade
Feb. 9, 2025
- Address:Wentworth Avenue and Cermak Road, Chicago
- Cost:ย Free
The parade kicks off at 24th Street and Wentworth Avenue, and heads north up Wentworth to Cermak Road. The parade features marching bands, colorful floats and traditional lion and dragon dances.
This article was updated on Jan. 13, 2025, by Chicago Parentโs Audience Development Coordinator, Kari Zaffarano. The update includes adding family friendly Lunar New Year events to the ChicagoParent.com calendar and highlighted the best Lunar New Year events to check out with your family. For questions, contact Kari at kari@chicagoparent.com.
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