Portland is home to a vibrant Chinese community, so understanding the importance of the Chinese New Year and knowing how to properly celebrate it is one way to connect to their ancient and fascinating culture. There are events around the Portland area that allow you to partake in the festivities and learn about the importance of the Chinese New Year. Whether you’re Chinese or not, it’s a fun and exciting time full of beautiful lights, parades, and celebrations. So, to find out how to learn and celebrate the Chinese New Year around Portland, just keep reading! 

What Is The Chinese New Year? 

Many people don’t realize that Chinese culture celebrates its own lunar New Year, which marks the first day of the Chinese calendar. Every year, usually in late January to early February, there is a two-week celebration full of dancing, crafts, food, and family welcoming the start of the upcoming year. During this fifteen-day celebration, the Chinese people pay tribute to their ancestors and pay particular attention to the color red, which signifies luck and good fortune. It is traditional to present your friends and loved ones with a red envelope called a hong bao, which generally contains money and is considered good luck for the upcoming year. 

The Chinese also clean their entire house, which is believed to drive away bad luck, and wear outfits adorned in red, bringing a festive and colorful tone to the celebration. Considered the most important festival of the year, the Chinese New Year also features a delicious array of food including, dumplings, cakes, and long noodles, which signify a long life. Fireworks are also an important part of the festivities as they work to frighten off the mythical Nian. Celebrated for thousands of years and held dear by the culture it represents, the Chinese New Year is an integral part of what makes Chinese culture so magical and beautiful. 

How To Learn About The Chinese New Year Around Portland

Learning about the origins and importance of the Chinese New Year helps you develop a deeper level of understanding, which in turn makes it easier to appreciate the celebratory events you attend. There are many ways in Portland to learn about the Chinese New Year and Chinese culture. 

Library

The Multnomah County Library and Portland Public Library both offer wonderful books you and your children can read dedicated to Chinese culture. There are age-appropriate options that are perfect for introducing the customs and traditions of the region. You can also check out entertaining and informative videos geared toward educating the public on Chinese New Year. 

Chinese Associations

Portland is home to a few different Chinese Associations aimed at promoting and educating the public on the value and significance of Chinese culture. Each one is unique and offers you the opportunity to ask questions, learn, and discover how Chinese culture influences our area and the many contributions it has made. Some of the featured associations include: 

How To Celebrate The Chinese New Year Around Portland

There are fun and exciting festivities around Portland to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Each one is packed full of tradition and beauty as it ushers in the Year of the Tiger! 

Lunar New Year Celebration – January 29th, 2022

This year’s Lunar New Year Celebration, thrown by the Chinese Friendship Association Of Portland, is sure to be a showstopper the entire family will enjoy! Held inside the Keller Auditorium, there are spectacular events scheduled, including a two-time Guinness world record holder acrobatic, professional singers, ballet performances, local talent, and routines from Wushu international champions. There are also arts and crafts planned with calligraphy and crafting workshops that are perfect for all ages. The doors open at 5 pm, and tickets start at $20 with discounts for groups. 

Chinese New Year At Lan Su Chinese Garden – February 1st-15th, 2022

The Lan Su Chinese Garden features a stunning New Years’ celebration, honoring the holiday with two weeks of fun-filled festivities. Beginning on February 1st, every visitor who attends that day receives a lucky hong bao upon entering. Each day features a different event with lion dances, family crafts, Chinese folk art, calligraphy, martial arts performances, and a Chinese wishing tree among them. There are also contact-free audio tours and scavenger hunts so that everyone can celebrate safely. The gates open at 10:00 am every day except Wednesday when the garden is closed. 

Chinese New Year Lantern Viewing – February 3rd-6th,10th-13th, 2022

Another exciting event held at the Lan Su Gardens, the lantern viewing, is a fantastic way to appreciate the beauty of the Chinese New Year at night. The garden will be lit up with red hanging lanterns throughout, bringing magic that will captivate your senses. The event’s highlight is the dragon dance procession starring Portland Lee’s Association Dragon And Dance Team, parading a 50-foot illuminated dragon throughout the garden. You can also view the 18-foot illuminated Phoenix sculpture located within Lake Zither, test your chopstick skills with the 8 Treasure tray Chopstick Challenge, and grab a cup of tea at the Garden Teahouse. The lantern viewing takes place on the above dates from 6 pm – 8 pm in the evening. 

Chinese New Year’s is an exciting time, full of festivals celebrating the culture and history of the Chinese people. Learning about the significance of this holiday enables you to enjoy the celebrations on a deeper level and connect to a people whose history spans back millennia. You can visit the library to read books and rent movies teaching about the celebration or visit one of the many Chinese Associations in the Portland area dedicated to educating and maintaining Chinese traditions. You can also attend fun festivities that immerse you in the magic that only the Chinese New Year can bring.