Is there a large Asian community near where you live celebrating the Chinese New Year today?
Here in the Monterey Peninsula, there is a large Korean community and they also celebrate the Chinese or lunar calender new year. It is typically a family holiday, with some Koreans dressing up in colorful traditional Korean clothing called hanbok.
Last year, when my grandchildren were taking Korean language classes, I was surprised to see them and their classmates dressed up in colorful traditional clothes when I picked them up — until it I realized it was the Korean New Year.
I thought is was an adorable tradition, and especially that the boys wore pink! So of course, I have to post these photos.
The children ate traditional food served for the Korean New Year day.
The boys line up with their traditional Korean garb for the new year. My grandson Jun-Jun at left, in blue top and pink bottom, and Gabriel at far right next to his friend, and they all look handsome in pink!
There is a large Chinese population in the Philippines, and today is celebrated as a special, non-working holiday.
The U.S. cities with the largest Chinese-American population outside of Asia is New York, followed by San Francisco. In San Francisco’s Chinatown community, the annual — and always grand — Chinese New Year Parade and festivities is scheduled on Saturday, March 7th.
Have you been to a Chinese New Year Parade or take part in a lunar calendar new year celebration?