Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year) Celebrations in Flushing

Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year celebrations in Flushing is January 31, 2009, with Flushing's 14th annual Lunar New Year Parade at 11 a.m., going to 1 p.m. It's the Year of the Ox!

Flushing, Queens, is home to one of the largest Chinese and East Asian populations in New York City, rivaling Manhattan's Chinatown. Also joining the parade are other East Asian groups in Queens, particularly the Korean community. Plus there are more New Year events in February.

• Flushing Restaurants

The parade is the highlight of the Chinese New Year celebrations in Flushing. Look for dragon dancers, steel drummers, and fireworks. About 4,000 people march each year.

Viewing Stands: TBD, usually at Flushing Library (Main and Kissena) and at the parade's end. Most people watch on Main St.

Route: Begins, Union St and 37th Ave and ends at Main St and 39th Ave.

• When: January 31, 2009, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Chinese performers in the parade end the procession with a celebration at the Flushing Mall, where VIPs give speeches and parade goers can check out the fab food court and the clothing and toy stores. There will also be children's choir, music, folk performances, Chinese calligraphy, and fireworks.

• Flushing Mall: 133-31 39th Ave, two blocks west of Main Street
• TBD

The Korean parade contingent celebrates at Korea Village's Open Center, a cultural space, where there will be Korean food, games, dancing, martial arts, music, and a karaoke contest.

• Korea Village Open Center: 150-24 Northern Blvd at 150th St
• TBD - 718-353-8969

Flushing Town Hall hosts a Lunar New Year Festival from January to February with events and a month-long exhibit of traditional handpuppets from Taiwan.

Following the parade, there's a performance by Susie Ibarra with traditional Korean drumming and music (January 31, 3 p.m.).

The following weekend, enjoy a Lunar New Year Dance Sampler (February 7, 2 p.m.). And mid-February enjoy an afternoon tea that mixes eastern and western traditions: Lunar New Year Demo: Tea For Two (February 14, 2 p.m.).

• Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd, at Linden
• Directions

A day-long celebration that starts with crafts and a Chinese red lantern craft workshop. There's food preparation and sampling of traditional specialties like Chinese dumplings and Korean rice cakes. The celebration runs concurrently with the parade, and it's all first-come, first-serve for limited spots.

In the afternoon there's traditional Korean Drum and Dance Troupe with Vongku Pak at 1 p.m.; ribbon dance and song from China at 2:30 p.m.; and Lion Dance at 3:30 p.m.

• Queens Library in Flushing, 41-17 Main St at Kissena Blvd, 718-661-1200, web
• January 31, 2009, starts at 10:30 a.m.

The New Year's parade begins next to a large municipal lot, but arrive early if you want a spot. Especially for Saturday, January 31, public transportation is your best bet: LIRR (Port Washington Line, Flushing stop), or 7 train (Flushing Main Street stop). It's then a short walk to the festivities.

• Map of Downtown Flushing (Parking lot marked)
• Municipal Parking Lot: Union St, between 37th and 39th Aves.

The real celebration starts after the parade and performances, and it's held in restaurants all around Flushing.

Many of my favorite restaurants are on Prince Street, including Spicy and Tasty (stellar Sichuan, 39-07 Prince St) and Green Papaya Thai (38-12 Prince St). One of the best dim sum restaurants in Flushing is Gala Manor (37-02 Main St, enter on 37th Ave).

The Queens Library in Flushing jumps with Lunar New Year activities on January 31, but there are more (smaller) events happening at other branches. Check the Library's events page for listing of activities across the borough.