Saturday, February 4, 2012, with Flushing’s 16th annual Lunar New Year Parade. Parade times are from 11 a.m. until about 1 p.m. It’s the Year of the Dragon!
Lunar New Year Parade – February 4, 2012:
The parade is the highlight of the Chinese New Year celebrations in Flushing. Look for dragon dancers, steel drummers, and fireworks. About 4,000 people march each year.
Viewing Stands: TBD, usually at Flushing Library (Main and Kissena) and at the parade’s end. Most people watch on Main St.
Route: Begins, Union St and 39th Ave and usually ends at Main St and 39th Ave.
When: Saturday, February 4, 2012. Start time is 11 a.m.
New Year Festival to follow – at Queens Crossing Mall (39th Ave and Main St) starting at 12:30 p.m.
Chinese Food and Folk Performances at Queens Crossing Mall:
The Chinese performers in the parade usually end the procession with a celebration at the Queens Crossing Mall, where there’s more cultural activities. There will be traditional cultural performances and festival booths.
Queens Crossing Mall: 136-17 39th Ave
12:30 p.m.
Korean Lunar New Year Celebration at Korea Village:
The Korean parade contingent usually celebrates at Korea Village’s Open Center, a cultural space, where there will be Korean food, games, dancing, martial arts, music, and a karaoke contest.
Korea Village Open Center: 150-24 Northern Blvd at 150th St
TBD – 718-353-8969
Lunar New Year Festival at Flushing Town Hall:
Flushing Town Hall hosts a Lunar New Year weekend February 4 and 5 with a dancing event and family workshops exploring Asian traditions.
Following the parade, there’s a performance from China, Korea, India, Thailand, Taiwan, and the Pacific Islands (February 4, 2 p.m.). On the following day, come back for family workshops.
Lunar New Year Festival at Flushing Library:
January 28, 2012 – A day-long celebration There’s food preparation and samples, plus Korean and Chinese song and dance, plus Chinse “face-changing.” The celebration is the weekend before the parade, and it’s all first-come, first-serve for limited spots.
Queens Library in Flushing, 41-17 Main St at Kissena Blvd, 718-661-1200, web
January 28, 2012
Parking in Flushing:
The New Year’s parade begins next to a large municipal lot, but arrive early if you want a spot. Especially for Saturday, February 20, public transportation is your best bet: LIRR (Port Washington Line, Flushing stop), or 7 train (Flushing Main Street stop). It’s then a short walk to the festivities.
Map of Downtown Flushing (Parking lot marked)
Municipal Parking Lot: Union St, between 37th and 39th Aves.
Eating and Celebrating Lunar New Year:
The real celebration starts after the parade and performances, and it’s held in restaurants all around Flushing.
Many of my favorite restaurants are on Prince Street, including Spicy and Tasty (stellar Sichuan, 39-07 Prince St) and Green Papaya Thai (38-12 Prince St). One of the best dim sum restaurants in Flushing is Gala Manor (37-02 Main St, enter on 37th Ave).
Lunar New Year at Queens Library:
The Queens Library in Flushing jumps with Lunar New Year activities on January 28, but there are more (smaller) events happening at other branches. Check the Library’s events page for listing of activities across the borough.