Here are some ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year in and around the neighborhood! It’s the year of the snake!
Chinese New Year Parade
Immerse yourself in the festivities and ring in the year of the dragon by watching Boston’s Annual Chinese New Year Parade. The parade starts at 10am on February 9, 2025 at Phillips Square (corner of Harrison Ave and Beach Street) and finishes at 3pm.
South Street Diner – Lion Dance Festivities Specials
South Street Diner, Boston’s longest running late-night restaurant, is hosting a celebration in honor of Chinese New Year during the Lion Dance festivities on Sunday, February 9th. Join the party at the late-night restaurant and see the troops of colorful lion dancers up close as they enter the diner with drums, cymbals and firecrackers, and watch as they are fed the customary oranges and lettuce. Owner Sol Sidell is also embracing the annual celebration in the neighborhood by serving his spin on traditional Asian dishes, including special Breakfast Ramen with two eggs, diced bacon, and ramen, signature Egg Foo Young Style Omelette with bean sprouts, water chestnuts, bok choy, shredded carrots, and beef gravy. There will also be a special Lychee Cocktail to commemorate the Year of the Snake, and complimentary custom fortune cookies for a sweet finish. Come dance with the dragon and enjoy delicious food and beverages this Chinese New Year at South Street Diner!
Chinatown Chinese New Year Market
The Chinatown Main Street Market is back again this year! Flowers, gifts, decorations and more! Takes place January 24 – 28th! Get the details here.
Tết in Boston – Year of the Snake
Celebrate Tết with traditional food, live performances, fun activities for all ages, as you embrace the spirit of renewal and togetherness on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-5pm at the Flynn Cruise Terminal. You can purchase your tickets here.
Gund Kwok Lion Dance
Fields Corner/Little Saigon will also be hosting Gund Kwok Lion Dance Performance on Saturday, March 2nd from 12pm-1pm in Fields Corner. They are the first Asian Women’s Lion & Dragon Dance Troupe in the United States. Get the details here.
MFA Lunar New Year Celebration
Ring in the Year of the Snake at the MFA! Stop by and celebrate the Lunar New Year by exploring Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese art from our collection on January 30th! Get the details here.
Here are more celebrations happening around Boston!
New Year’s Dishes
Once you’ve soaked up all the excitement, explore these spots for lucky New Year’s dishes!
Start your New Year’s food crawl by indulging in a fan favorite: dumplings! These little pockets of deliciousness not only satisfy your tastebuds but also symbolize ancient Chinese money and are thought to bring fortune in the New Year. Stop by our neighborhood hot spots, Mei Mei Dumpling and Dumpling Daughter, for their assortment of savory, delicately steamed or crispy pan-fried dumplings. Not to mention a second reason to celebrate: this New Year’s will mark Mei Mei’s second anniversary in Southie (woohoo)!
What better way to celebrate Lunar New Year & Mei Mei’s Factory #2 Birthday than with BOTTOMLESS DUMPLINGS! This all-you-can-eat dumpling buffet with all of Mei Mei’s signature dumplings takes place on Saturday, January 25th at 12pm. This event will feature special Lunar New Year prizes, games, and cocktails (for purchase). You can purchase your tickets here!
Boston Little Saigon/Fields Corner has so many great Vietnamese restaurants to try, including Pho Hoa, which Boston Magazine named this wildly popular Vietnamese spot the Best of Boston for Best Neighborhood Restaurant in Dorchester!
Here are some more restaurants to try in Chinatown:
- Taiwan Cafe – 34 Oxford St, Chinatown
- Hei La Moon – 83 Essex St, Chinatown
- Nam Xiang – 52 Beach St, Chinatown
- Mei Sum Bakery – 26 Beach St, Chinatown
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.