Lunar New Year Highlight in Florida 2019

The Lunar New Year of 2019 falls on February 5th (Tuesday), and the festival will last to February 19th, about 15 days in total. 2019 is a Year of the Pig according to the Chinese zodiac.

Lunar New Year dates vary slightly between years, but it usually comes during the period from January 21st to February 20th in Gregorian calendar. The dates change every year because the festival is based on the Chinese Lunar Calendar. The lunar calendar is associated with the movement of the moon, which usually defines traditional festivals like the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival.

The lunar calendar is also associated with 12 animal signs in Chinese zodiac, so every 12 years is regarded as a cycle. 2019 is a Year of the Pig, while 2020 turns to be a Year of the Rat.

The Lunar New Year, a celebration that goes by different names across Asia — Chinese Chunjie, Vietnamese Tet, Korean Solnal and Tibetan Losar. It is the most important holiday of the year for many Asian communities around the world. In Asia and in ethnic communities around the world, the Lunar New Year is the most important and most festive holiday of the year. Through centuries of Asian’s agrarian tradition, this was the one period when farmers could rest from their work in the fields. Family members from near and far would travel to be with loved ones in time to usher out the old year and welcome in the new, with great celebratory flourish. Today, all over China, Vietnam, and Korea, during what is now commonly referred to as the Spring Festival, passenger trains, buses, and riverboats are packed with holiday travelers; shops do a flurry of business selling gifts, new clothes, and festive foods; kitchens are bustling with preparations for elaborate feasts; and the streets are filled with the sounds of firecrackers and seasonal greetings.

Celebrate in Florida

Vietnamese New Year TET 2019 Festival in Tampa Bay

Vietnamese New Year Tết Festival 2019 held by the Vietnamese Community of Tampa Bay on Saturday, January 26, 2019. Location – 14301 Nine Eagles Dr, Tampa, FL 33626. You are cordially invited to come celebrate The Vietnamese New Year 2019, Year of the Pig, with the wonderful cultural performances, 3rd Annual Miss Vietnam Tampa Bay 2019 pageant, 3rd Annual karaoke competition, chess competition, traditional dragon dances, games and much more! There will be lots of Vietnamese authentic hot and cold delicious food and drinks. Bring your friends and family to this yearly fabulous event! Free Admission

TET Festival – Hoi Tet Ve Nguon in Central Florida

Vietnamese New Year Festival (VNYF) is the most important traditional event in Vietnamese culture. Hội Tết Về Nguồn – St. Philip Phan Van Minh – Orlando celebrate the VNYF on the January 26th (10AM – 12AM), and 27th (10AM – 5PM), 2019 at Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Dr. Orlando, FL 32808. Free Admission

OCPA Chinese New Year Gala

Greater Orlando Chinese Professionals Association (OCPA) will hold its 24th Annual New Year Gala on January 26, 2019 at the Lake Nona High School. This year’s party will host the New Year’s Eve dinner, a family reunion dinner in the Chinese tradition, now a gathering dinner for the local Chinese, their families and friends. The party will feature a variety of traditional and contemporary performances, such as dragon and lion dances, Peking Opera, Chinese folk music, Tai Chi, martial arts, magic, as well as children and adults’ singing, dancing and musical performances including western musical instrumental performances. Tickets: $8-$25

Wah Lum Temple Chinese New Year Celebration week in 2019

Wah Lum Orlando will be performing traditional Lion Dance shows during the celebration. Check the 2019 schedule, please. Wah Lum Orlando will join the 8th Annual Dragon Parade Lunar New Year Festival 2019 on Feb 17th at the Mills 50 District.  Parade and Festival starts at 11 am – 4 pm.

Chinese New Year Celebration: Year of the Pig at the Orange County Library System (FL)

Celebrate the Chinese New Year with the Chinese School of CAACF on Feb 2nd morning at 10 AM and enjoy a few Chinese traditions with a Dragon Dance, folk dances, and a demonstration of Chinese calligraphy. Free Admission

Chinese New Year Celebration in Tampa

2019 is the Year of the Pig. SACA is celebrating Chinese New Year at Water works Park Tampa. All are welcome. Free admission. Food and craft vendors. Traditional Chinese dance / instruments performance. Cultural walk with many Chinese exhibits. Dragon / Lion dances. Le Le (SACA panda) photo booth. Children playground & crafts area with many games (located next to Park Playground). Free Admission

CAACF 50th Anniversary and 2019 Chinese New Year Celebration

The 50th Anniversary of the Chinese American Association of Central Florida CAACF is celebrating the Year of the Pig 2019, as well as the 50th Anniversary of the CAACF, with a dinner reception and Lunar Chinese New Year Gala on Saturday, February 9th, 2019 at the Enchanted Nights 7017 S. Orange Blossom Trail., Orlando, FL  32809. There will be traditional Chinese cultural dance and musical performances, along with dragon dance and lion dance.
if you have any questions and purchse tickets: Please contact us at Tsuey Ing Lavender: 321.848.1967 and Cherry Lin: 352.530.6968. 

Vietnamese New Year (TET) Festival 2019 in Central Florida

Vietnamese New Year Festival (TET) is the most important traditional event in Vietnamese culture. This year, Central Florida Vietnamese community celebrate the TET Festival on the February 16th (10 AM to Midnight) and 17th (10 AM – 6 PM), 2018 at Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Dr. #260 Orlando, FL 32808. Free Admission

8th Annual Dragon Parade Lunar New Year Festival 2019

The Year of the Dog marks the 8th annual Central Florida Dragon Parade Lunar New Year Festival held in Orlando, Florida. This event has received overwhelming response from local and distant communities alike.   Again this year, Asia Trend Magazine is partnering with Mills 50 (an Orlando Main Street District), R.E.A.C.H. (Recognizing Educating Asian Cultural Heritage) and Y.E.S.S. (Youth Enrichment and Senior Services) to host the Dragon Parade Lunar New Year Festival on Sunday, February 17 from 11:00am to 4:00pm at 728 N. Thornton Ave., Orlando, FL 32803.

The festival parade starts at the corner of N Thornton Ave and Oregon St and will end at N. Thornton Ave and Colonial Drive. The Dragon Parade, which precedes the Festival, is led by City of Orlando and Orange County officials together with representatives of numerous Asian organizations.

The parade will be followed by five hours of the Lunar Festival that will take place at 728 N. Thornton Ave., Orlando, FL 32803.  The Lunar New Year Festival will feature Asian entertainment including Dragon dancing, Lion Dancing, cultural dances, martial arts, taiko drummers, arts and crafts and Asian food.  In 2018, over 8,500 patrons attended the event. Free Admission
more info at http://centralfloridadragonparade.org
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2019 Chinese New Year Festival in Miami

The 2019 Chinese New Year Festival will be on Sunday, February 17, 2019 at Miami Dade College Kendall Campus – 11:00 am – 6:00 pm. Tickets: $5-10