Today is the Chinese New Year!

Source: gotohoroscope.com

Since the Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar, the date changes every year and this year it falls on Thursday, February 3 - TODAY - so get ready for the year of the Rabbit!   I wonder if anyone will give me a red envelope with a penny this year?  In elementary school, we were always sure to receive one for good luck from Mrs. Lum.

In New York, the Chinese New Year means the annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade & Festival.  If you have never been expect: colorful floats, marching bands, lion and dragon dances, musicians, magicians and acrobats (to name a few).  The parade winds through the entirety of Chinatown, starting at Mott Street and ends at Worth Street.  After the parade there will be an outdoor cultural festival on Bayard Street with more musicians, dancers and martial artists.

Source: watersideplaza.com

12th Annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade & Festival
Date: Sunday, February 6, 2011
Time: 11:30am - 4:00pm
Location: Canal Street South (map)

Looking for a place to eat after the parade?
Check out: Grub Street's breakdown of where to celebrate the year of the Rabbit
and Refinery29's 8 Mouthwatering Chinese Restaurants


Still need more to do downtown before the Superbowl this Sunday?
Head a little further south for some Freeze-Tag (and other childhood games) literally on Wall Street!!!
(map)