Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year) Celebrations in Flushing

Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year celebrations in Flushing is Saturday, February 4, 2012, with Flushing's 16th annual Lunar New Year Parade. Parade times are from 11 a.m. until about 1 p.m. It's the Year of the Dragon!

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 39th Ave and usually ends at Main St and 39th Ave.

• When: Saturday, February 4, 2012. Start time is 11 a.m.
• New Year Festival to follow - at Queens Crossing Mall (39th Ave and Main St) starting at 12:30 p.m.

The Chinese performers in the parade usually end the procession with a celebration at the Queens Crossing Mall, where there's more cultural activities. There will be traditional cultural performances and festival booths.

• Queens Crossing Mall: 136-17 39th Ave
• 12:30 p.m.

The Korean parade contingent usually 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 weekend February 4 and 5 with a dancing event and family workshops exploring Asian traditions.

Following the parade, there's a performance from China, Korea, India, Thailand, Taiwan, and the Pacific Islands (February 4, 2 p.m.). On the following day, come back for family workshops.

More details at Flushing Town Hall.

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

January 28, 2012 - A day-long celebration There's food preparation and samples, plus Korean and Chinese song and dance, plus Chinse "face-changing." The celebration is the weekend before the parade, and it's all first-come, first-serve for limited spots.

• Queens Library in Flushing, 41-17 Main St at Kissena Blvd, 718-661-1200, web
• January 28, 2012

The New Year's parade begins next to a large municipal lot, but arrive early if you want a spot. Especially for Saturday, February 20, 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 28, but there are more (smaller) events happening at other branches. Check the Library's events page for listing of activities across the borough.