13th Annual Lunarfest Celebrates the Year of the Dragon
Contact:
arts@yalechina.org
New Haven, Conn. (January 24, 2024) – The Yale-China Association, in partnership with New Haven Museum, Town Green District, New Haven Free Public Library, the City of New Haven and others, is proud to host the 13th annual Lunarfest in New Haven, Connecticut, on Saturday, February 24th 2024. Lunarfest, the largest celebration of Lunar New Year in Connecticut, is one of New Haven’s premiere cultural events, promoting cross-cultural awareness and understanding while embracing community collaborations. This year’s festival sponsor is the City of New Haven Economic Development Administration.
Lunarfest 2024 celebrates the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese Zodiac. The celebration kicks off at 10AM with a parade down Whitney Avenue starting at the corner of Whitney and Grove streets and led by Wan Chi Ming Hung Gar Institute’s Lion Dance Team. Martial artists from the Wu Dang Kungfu Academy return to give their thrilling performances. The parade culminates with a traditional lion pole dance in front of Hong Kong Market and speeches from local community leaders.
In the afternoon, there are educational activities, workshops, and performances hosted at the New Haven Museum, the New Haven Free Public Library Ives branch, Neighborhood Music School, Yale Office of International Students & Scholars, Creative Arts Workshop, Affinity Federal Credit Union, and Witch Bitch Thrift. All programs, made possible through the generous support of our venue partners, parade sponsors, and local businesses, are free and open to the public. Advance registration is required for some programs (see website below for registration links).
We are excited to feature the following new events for the Year of the Dragon:
Lunar New Year Dragon Market co-sponsored by Town Green District and aapiNHV at Neighborhood Music School featuring local AAPI artists and makers from 11:00 am-3:00 pm
Modern and traditional Chinese dance performance by Connecticut’s own Lorelei Chang at the New Haven Museum at 2:15 pm
New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s Year of the Dragon program featuring the traditional erhu and instrument petting zoo at the New Haven Free Public Library Ives branch at 12:30 pm
Community Year of the Dragon Art Project with local artist Kaitlin Tan Fung at the Yale Office of International Students & Scholars at 1:00 pm
Zodiac Scavenger Hunt co-sponsored by Whitney-Audubon District and Haven Hot Chicken before and during the parade
Bring your families! Bring your friends! Bring your festive spirit!
Join us in welcoming the Year of the Dragon!
Lunarfest Program details and schedule may be found at: www.yalechina.org/lunarfest.
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors and Funders
