The aroma of  foods, the colorful ao dai dresses, and the highly anticipated lion dance accompanying loud fireworks and drums to scare off evil spirits. The Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year, is soon approaching this January 28th- what better way to celebrate it than going to a festival?

Every year, there are a handful of organizations that hold cultural events for anyone to come and enjoy the Lunar New Year. This year is the year of the fiery Rooster! The Years of the Rooster include 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, and any babies born this year, 2017. In a Rooster Year, all of the Chinese animals can reap great rewards by tapping into Rooster traits. Loyalty, commitment, hard work, family values, and top-notch appearances are just some of the characteristics that will be rewarded this year.

Join in the fun and look out for these upcoming dates:

Saturday & Sunday, January 28-29– The Vietnamese church, Our Lady of La Vang Catholic Church, is hosting its annual festival full of authentic Vietnamese foods, music, dances, games, raffles, and more! Free Admission!

The Saturday event is from the afternoon into evening. The Sunday event is from 11:00 am – 5:oo pm.

Address: 800 S Tucson Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85716

Sunday, January 29 – The Lee Lee International Market will hold a special Lion Dance (also known as the Dragon Dance) performance at 1:00 pm.  Address: 1900 W Orange Grove Tucson, AZ 85704

Saturday, February 4 – The Confucius Institute at the University of Arizona (& Shaanxi Normal University) will hold a festival again at their Centennial Hall. It will feature national and international artists, the winner of  the International Violin Competition Liu Xiao of Central Conservatory of Music, Chinese instrumental soloists, Martial Arts masters and Chinese dancers. For ticketing Information contact: (520) 625-5124.

The event will start at 2:00 – 7:00 pm.

Saturday, February 4 – The Tucson Chinese Cultural Center will have a fancy banquet dinner including raffles and dance performances at 3800 E. Sunrise Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718. Cost: $150.00 per person ($70.00 is tax deductible). Time is from 6:00 – 10:00 pm

Saturday, February 11 – The Tucson Chinese Cultural Center (TCCC) will hosting an event at the Tucson Mall (First floor by JCPenny). There will be scheduled Asian dance performances, arts & crafts for children, and Asian gift shop items for sale from 11 am – 8 pm. Free admission! The TCCC is also having a fundrasier at Panda Express at Sunday, January 29.

Come to any event and have the experience of a lifetime. Don’t forget to wear red and yellow – lucky colors for the New Year! Clean out your house for evil spirits. And remember to have a great time.  May everyone have good health and fortune again this coming year.