Usher in the Year of the Rabbit with Lunar New Year celebrations of all kinds in Chicago. Get ready to delight in vibrant parades, cultural celebrations, and dining specials. The centuries-old tradition of Lunar New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, usually sometime between January 21 and February 20, resulting in two full weeks of festivities. From annual parades to afternoon tea, read on to learn how to celebrate Lunar New Year in Chicago.

Parades and Events

Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration

Saturday, January 28, 2023 - Argyle Street

The Uptown neighborhood will welcome the Lunar New Year with their annual parade, featuring community groups, cultural institutions, dancers, and performers. Due to CTA construction, The parade is being rerouted this year and will kick-off at Argyle & Winthrop, head west on Argyle, north on Broadway, east on Winona, and south on Sheridan back to Argyle.

Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade

Sunday, January 29, 2023 - Chinatown

Welcome the Year of the Tiger with traditional lion dances, cultural performances, and more during this colorful celebration.

Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration at the Field Museum

Saturday, January 21, 2023

Join artists from The Chinese Fine Arts Society in the Crown Family PlayLab as they lead children through interactive Ruan and Hide music and movement performances.

Global Connections: Lunar New Year

Saturday, January 28, 2023 - Navy Pier

Enjoy local performances, artists, dance, traditional and contemporary music, food vendors and much more!

Lantern Festival Celebration

Sunday February 5, 2023 - Chicago Cultural Center

Experience the Chicago Cultural Center transformed into a festive Chinese marketplace. Enjoy music, food, calligraphy, puppets, lion dance, and more!

Chinese New Year Dumpling Making Dinner

Saturday, January 28 - Hing Kee Restaurant, 2nd Floor

Celebrate Lunar New Year with dumpling-making, lion dancing, and family-style story telling!

Chinatown Food & Culture Walking Tour

Sunday, January 22 - Sunday, February 5, 2023 - Phoenix Restaurant

Tour Chinatown and learn about the history of Chinese immigration to Chicago while tasting delicious cuisine from five Chinese regions.

Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea

Friday, January 20th through Sunday, January 22nd, 2023 - The Peninsula Chicago

Enjoy a distinctive tea menu including traditional Chinese fare, a traditional lion dance, lion troupe, and music!

Order Take Out

Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings

Chinatown, Chicago

QXY specializes in soup dumplings filled with everything from pork and lamb to premium ingredients like lobster and sea urchin.

Lao Peng You

West Town, Chicago

This West Town outpost serves exceptional dumplings and noodles available two ways — cold or in soups.

MCCB

Chinatown, Chicago

Modern Chinese Cook Book offers a contemporary approach to Sichuan cuisine.

Little Lan’s

Winnetka, Illinois

This eatery serves Mandarin & Sichuan dishes, from pan-fried dumplings to garlic beef.

Chinese Palace

Barrington, Illinois

Order take-out from one of Barrington’s best.

Chiu Quon Bakery & Dim Sum

Chinatown, Chicago

Chicago’s oldest traditional Chinese bakery is home to a world of sweet and savory delights, like their famous BBQ pork buns.

Sun Wah BBQ

Uptown, Chicago

Try the Peking duck feast at this beloved Uptown eatery.

Minghin Cuisine

Chinatown, Chicago

One of Chicagoland’s most well-known Chinese restaurants, this must-have now has six locations.

Lao Sze Chuan

Evanston, Illinois

Often rated amount the best in Chicagoland, Lao Sze Chuan serves up authentic Sichuan cuisine.

Jade Dragon

Hinsdale, Illinois

Take your pick from their selection of Szechwan, Mandarin and Cantonese cuisine.