DFW is a thriving metroplex, filled with cultural organizations from around the world. In our house, it is important to learn about other cultures, so my family attends fun events and festivals as often as possible. Chinese New Year is one of our favorites. We’ve attended the festival in downtown Dallas twice, and plan on going again this year. Crow Collection of Asian Art, the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, and many talented folks will come together in order to usher in the Year of the Rooster on Saturday, January 28th.
Why Should You Go?
The lunar new year is celebrated by over one billion people around the world. The traditions that come with the holiday are a fun way to teach kids about asian culture. Besides, watching dancing dragons with your kids is nothing short of awesome. The museum offers free admission, and there are craft stations nestled among the exhibits during the festival. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the Crow Collection yet, this is your chance.
What’s Going On at the Festival?
Look for non-stop entertainment from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm. My family and I usually stake out the face painting (you know there’s always a line), and then wander into the museum to find the arts and crafts and family yoga. Special projects will commemorate the Year of the Rooster, and there will also be traditional holiday crafts: lanterns, dragons, calligraphy demos, and lucky red envelopes to feed to the dragons at the start and the end of the day.
What Else Will Be Happening at the Festival?
Fortune Tellers
Kung Fu Demonstrations
Lion and Dragon Dances
Noodles from Monkey King Noodle Company
Performances by the Beijing Opera
Traditional Chinese Dance
Fireworks
What About Food?
You can slurp long life noodles, of course, and if noodles aren’t your thing, no worries! Several other popular food trucks will be serving up tasty meals on Harwood street, and the streets surrounding the museum will be reserved for foot traffic, so it will be a breeze to grab a bite and wander up to Klyde Warren Park.
The Fine Print
The Chinese New Year festival is from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm, and is free to all. Check out the Facebook invite here. The museum is located at 2010 Flora Street, in the Dallas Arts District. Flora and Harwood streets will be closed to traffic, so consider parking in the underground garage at the Dallas Museum of Art, take DART, or park along N. Pearl or N. St. Paul.
Crow Collection of Asian Art
2010 Flora Street
Dallas, Tx 75201
(214) 979-6430
Online: crowcollection.org
Feature photo, first photo and third photo courtesy Crow Collection of Asian Art
