Come Jan. 28, we'll be waking up to the Chinese Lunar Year of the Rooster (or Red Chicken).
That calls for celebration!
Atlanta is prepared to party on this special occasion, and you have both traditional and offbeat options for celebration. There are Atlanta early bird specials, events the day of and festivities throughout the seven-day public holiday, which ends February 2.
Here are five ways to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Atlanta:
Chinese New Year Banquet hosted by Chinese Southern Belles
6:30 p.m., Saturday Jan. 14
Individuals $50; couples $90; table discounts starting at $43.33 per person for tables of six
Buford Highway, Doraville, GA *No tickets at the door; location revealed with purchase confirmation.
Enjoy a cultural exchange with all the best tastes of the traditional Chinese New Year in a lavish meal. Mother-daughter Chinese Southern Belles Natalie and Margaret Keng host an evening of food history, trivia, calligraphy and eight courses to benefit local food initiatives. Grab the gang or make it a date night. And do what needs to be done to prepare for the annual chopsticks race.
Atlanta Tet Festival 2017 for the Vietnamese Lunar New Year
10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, January 22 followed by concert beginning at 8 p.m.
$5 general admission; $35 concert
The Space Ballroom, 6100 Live Oak Pkwy, Norcross.
The main event is a "come one, come all" heritage celebration rife with foods, games traditional and modern and pageants. The United Vietnamese American Community of Georgia presents a program in both English and Vietnamese. That night, the stars come out with a concert featuring Vietnamese luminaries including Don Ho and Anh Minh, Bao Vy, Thuy Ni, and Michael Thai and Melody Bandy. This is one for the family; plan to dine at the Street Food Market.
Credit: Contributed by Mandarin Oriental Atlanta
Credit: Contributed by Mandarin Oriental Atlanta
Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea at Mandarin Oriental Atlanta
Daily from 3-5 p.m., Jan. 27-Feb. 2
$35 person
3376 Peachtree Road NE. 404-995-7545 or email moatl-restaurants@mohg.com.
A sophisticated way to usher in the Year of the Roostertea in the lobby of the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Atlanta. Fragrant teas are the star of the occasion, accompanying Chinese delicacies such as steamed dim sum. This is a great choice for anyone who doesn't want to be left out after realizing Feb. 1, 'Hey, isn't this Chinese New Year?'
Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday January 28 and Sunday 29
$5 general admission, free for children under 3.5 feet and seniors 60 and older
Culture Center of Taipei Economic & Cultural Office, 5377 New Peachtree Road, Chamblee. 770-451-4456
This is the granddaddy of the Atlanta events, where you can pack two days with cultural activities, arts and crafts and savory ethnic foodstuffs. Don't miss the lion dance and dragon dance, scheduled for noon on each day. When you're done, check out the other wonderful ethnic shopping and food options on Buford Highway.
Chinese New Year Party with gr8FLdüde & frenz and Honeywood
8-11:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 28
$10 advance, $15 at the door
Red Light Cafe, 553 Amsterdam Ave. NE. 678-527-8899
redlightcafe.com
An inspired way for rockers and jammers to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, though not the most traditional. Honeywood brings a sweet blend of bluegrass-inspired arrangements, followed by gr8FLdüde & frenz with two sets of time-honored Grateful Dead tunes. Bet there will be some rooster crowing in there somewhere.
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