Chinese New Year Events in Connecticut (Hartford County)

1/17/12 - By Tania Pesce

January 23, 2012 marks the start of the Year of the Dragon for the official Asian New Year day known as “Tet”. In the Hartford County area there are many ways for families to ring in the Lunar New Year and learn about the Asian culture. Immerse yourself in the traditions and celebrate with some of the various activities that are taking place in the traditionally two week long celebration ending February 6. 

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Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at The Children’s Museum in West Hartford by learning about the lunar calendar and moon phases. On Saturday January 21 from 6-8 pm, enjoy traditional foods, stories and crafts. If the weather is clear you will even be able to observe Venus and Jupiter through telescopes. Pre-registration is recommended.

The Children’s Museum 950 Trout Brook Drive West Hartford, CT 06119
Admission: $5/ person for members, $6/ person for non-members


On Saturday February 11, the statewide chapter of Families with Children from China is sponsoring a Chinese New Year Celebration. From noon to 4 pm St. James Episcopal Church in West Hartford you can enjoy a fun event featuring food, crafts and face painting. Pre-registration is required.

1018 Farmington Ave. West Hartford, CT
Admission: $7 per ticket, ages 2 and under free

Another festive event to ring in the Chinese New Year is taking place throughout the day at the Lutz Children’s Museum on January 18. With various sessions depending on the child’s age they will be able to explore authentic artifacts from the museum’s collection and learn all about the traditions relating to this special holiday. They will also be able to listen to a story and make an age appropriate craft.

247 South Main St. Manchester, CT
Session 1: ages 2-3, 10-10:30 am, members $10/ non-members $12
Session 2: ages 3-5, 11-12 pm or 1-2 pm, members $13/non-members $15
Session 3: ages 5-8, 4-5 pm, members $13/ non-members $15

What better way to celebrate the Year of the Dragon than to eat authentic Chinese food?! Eating certain foods at New Year’s such as lettuce, noodles, dumplings and spring rolls are believed to increase fortune. A traditional Dim Sum lunch menu is being served at Green Tea restaurant in Farmington on Sunday, January 22 at 11:30 am. A Dragon show will also be held where a group of dancers will perform a lion dance inside and outside the restaurant from noon to 12:30 p.m., “to scare the evils away for the new year.

1067 Farmington Ave. Farmington, CT 06032

Want to throw your own New Year celebration at home? Head over to central Connecticut's largest Asian supermarket, A Dong, in West Hartford and get the ingredients to make Vietnamese Spring rolls also known as Goi Cuon or find other great ethnic items. 

160 Shield St. West Hartford, CT 06110 

Happy New Year!

 

 

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