Jan. 19, 2024 By Rachel Butler and Aidan Pellegrino
The Lunar New Year according to the Chinese zodiac is beginning on Saturday Feb. 10 and with 2024 set to be the year of the dragon there are many events taking place across Queens to mark the occasion.
Flushing Town Hall
Flushing Town Hall located at 137-35 Northern Boulevard is hosting a series of month-long events including performances by Asian and Asian American artists.
The first event will take place on Jan. 27 as an art exhibition “Remember” by Woomin Kim and the immigrant artist collaborative Lily and Honglei will be open to the public.
There will be various art exhibitions, dance performances and creative events taking place at the Flushing Town Hall to mark the occasion for adults and children alike. For more information, visit their website.
Queens Borough President Event
The Queens Borough President Donovan Richards is hosting his own event to celebrate the lunar new year, which is taking place on Monday Feb. 12 from 6.p.m. to 8.p.m at the Queens Borough Hall on Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens.
“Come to Queens Borough Hall for a festive evening of cultural performances, delicious food, and honorees who uplift the our Queens community,” a spokesperson for the President said.
Queens Center Shopping Mall
The Queens Center shopping mall in Kew Gardens is hosting a series of free events in January and February for the lunar new year. There will be workshops where people can create paper flowers, create their own calligraphy and enjoy dance performances.
On Jan.20 and Jan.21 there will be a free paper flower making and calligraphy workshop hosted by Traditional Culture Reviving Center from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on both days.
On Feb.3 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. there will be a dance parade taking place throughout the mall which aims to entertain both parents and children, and a K-Pop dance workshop where children can learn trendy dances from professionals and enter a giveaway to win prizes.
Kupferburg Center for the Arts
The Kupferburg Center for the Arts on Kissena Boulevard will be showcasing three performances by the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company on Jan. 27 and Jan. 28.
On Jan. 27 there will be one afternoon show at 3 p.m. and another at 7 p.m. and there will be a second 7 p.m. show on Jan.28 with ticket prices starting at $25.
“Join us for a spellbinding dance performance as we embrace the spirit of the Year of the Dragon through the power and beauty of dance,” a spokesperson for the center said. For more information, and to buy tickets, visit the center’s website.
Queens Botanical Gardens
Queens Botanical Gardens on Main Street in Flushing will be having a day of activities from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. including performances, music and art on Sunday Feb. 18
The events will be free but there is a suggested donation of $5 that people attending are asked to donate if they can. For more information, visit their website.
Flushing Friends Quaker Meeting House
There will be a lunar new year lantern workshop taking place at the Flushing Friends Quaker Meeting House on Sunday Jan. 28 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with tickets costing $25 on Eventbrite.
Attendees will make four different lunar new year lanterns and the workshop will be taught by Teaching Artists Myrna Perez Fung and Lilly Chu.