Ring in the Year of the Snake: Lunar New Year Celebrations in Chicago 2025
Celebrate the 15-day Lunar New Year (January 29–February 8) with Chicago’s best parades, feasts, and cultural festivities. Here’s your guide to the city’s top events:
Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade
Location: 24th Street & Wentworth Avenue
Date: Sunday, February 9, 1:00 PM
Enjoy colorful floats, traditional dragon and lion dances, marching bands, and community groups filling the streets with vibrant fanfare. Free event.
Argyle Lunar New Year Parade & Celebration
Location: Argyle Street & Sheridan Road
Date: Saturday, February 8, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM (Parade at 1:00 PM)
Celebrate with community performances, pop-up activities, and a self-guided mural tour. Free event.
Chinese New Year at The Peninsula Chicago
Location: 108 E. Superior St.
Date: January 24–February 2
Highlights include:
- Traditional lion dance on January 25 at 3:00 PM
- Six-course celebratory menu at Shanghai Terrace (Peking duck, scallion chicken, foie gras, and more)
- Afternoon tea and a Chinese New Year Sunday Brunch.
For reservations, visit The Peninsula Chicago.
Lunar New Year Dinner at Phoenix Restaurant
Location: 2131 S. Archer Ave.
Date: Monday, February 3, 5:30–9:00 PM
Indulge in a grand traditional feast hosted by the Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce. Tickets: $150 per person.
Lunar New Year Feast at Maxwell’s Trading
Location: 1516 West Carroll Ave.
Date: Wednesday, January 29, 5:30 PM
Chefs Chris Jung, Erling Wu-Bower, Thai Dang, and Gene Kato collaborate for a four-course family-style meal featuring dishes like five-spice braised short ribs and osechi sushi. Price: $117.10 per person. Reservations available online.
Year of the Snake Celebration at Nine Bar
Location: 216 W. Cermak Road
Date: Tuesday, February 4, 6:00–9:00 PM (Walk-ins after 10:00 PM)
Enjoy specialty cocktails, festive beats, and curated bites inspired by traditional Chinese medicine. Tickets start at $20.
Global Connections: Lunar New Year at Navy Pier
Location: 840 E. Grand Ave. (Aon Grand Ballroom)
Date: Saturday, February 1, 1:00–5:00 PM
Celebrate AAPI cultures with live music, dance performances, and local artists. Free event.
Hing Kee Restaurant Dumpling Making Dinner
Location: 2140 S. Archer Ave.
Dates: January 25 & 26, February 1 & 2, 3:00–5:30 PM
Join the Chicago Chinese Cultural Institute for its 20th annual dumpling-making event, featuring traditional lion dances and a delicious culinary lineup. Price: $40 (children) or $55 (adults).
Sunda New Asian Lunar New Year Menu
Locations: 333 N. Green St. & 110 W. Illinois St.
Dates: January 22–February 9
Celebrate with festive lion dances, a signature cocktail, and special dishes like Hong Kong steak lo mein and crispy snapper. Guests receive surprise red envelopes with special treats. Reservations required.
Fashion Outlets of Chicago Lunar New Year
Location: 5220 Fashion Outlets Way, Rosemont
Dates: January 24–February 16
Activities on January 25 include lantern crafting, dumpling making, calligraphy, and cultural performances. Red envelopes with exclusive discounts are available throughout the celebration. Free event.
For even more recommendations, explore Chicago’s best spots for mocktails and elevated dining experiences.
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