Gung Hay Fat Choy!

The Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays in Asian heritage, often celebrated with big family gatherings, gift giving, the eating of symbolic foods, and displays of festive decorations - all focused on bringing good luck for the new year and celebrating the imminent arrival of spring.

This year around the Peninsula is no different. Check out the festival in Redwood City as well as other cities.

Redwood City

Redwood City is celebrating its first annual Lunar New Year Celebration! The entire community is invited to join the free festivites on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 11 a.m. at Courthouse Square. 

"The excitement around this festival really reflects the diversity in our community," organizer and Councilmember Jeff Gee said. "I hope this becomes a tradition for many years to come."

Gee said this was one of the events he wanted to plan since he ran for Council in 2009. After he was elected, he decided the upcoming February in 2010 was a little too soon, so he spent the summer of 2010 gearing up for the Year of the Rabbit in 2011.

On Saturday, families can enjoy a Taiko drums performance from the Somei Taiko Ensemble of San Francisco and the famous Red Panda Acrobats. Then the California Kung Fu & Tai Chi Institute will present a display of martial arts, followed by the closing ceremony. And of course there will be great food, music, and more.

Participants can learn to say a simple Chinese phrase for New Year Wishes and write “Spring Arriving” in Chinese, practice how to use chopsticks from picking up new year “lucky” food and then make paper boats from chopsticks wrappers, get a quick lesson in recognizing Chinese numbers from 1-10 and many more fun activities.

"This is going to be a remarkable event, not only fun but also an educational experience that can expose people to different cultures," Gee said.

Foster City

Lunar New Year Celebration

Traditional Village Fair, including lion dances, calligraphy demonstrations and acrobatics. Feb. 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the

San Bruno

The shops at Tanforan Mall will host Chinese dances.  100 gift envelopes will be passed out, one of them will contain a $100 gift certificate. 

Millbrae 

Festivities include a lion dance, a Chinese art exhibit and a kung fu performance. Starts in the Millbrae Library parking lot. Feb. 26 at 10:30 a.m.

A fundraiser for the Lunar Year celebration. Held at Zen Peninsula, tickets are $50 for a 10-course meal and entertainment. Feb. 11 at  7 p.m.

San Francisco

Feb. 6

Lion Dance at the Asian Art Museum and children’s activities. Free admission.

Feb. 10
Miss Chinatown U.S.A. Pageant 7:30 p.m., Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
3301 Lyon St. at Bay St. 

Feb. 13

33rd Annual Chinese New Year Run: Year of the Hare, February 13.

 Raise money for the Chinatown YMCA Physical Education Program on this 5 or 10k run through Chinatown and North Beach. Pre-registration at 7 a.m. at Portsmouth Square. Race begins at Grant and Sacramento Street.

Feb. 18
Miss Chinatown U.S.A. Coronation Ball 6 pm - midnight
Black tie dinner/dance
San Francisco Hilton & Towers, 333 O'Farrell St.
Tickets: (415) 982-3000

Feb. 19
Chinese New Year Parade 5:15 pm - 8 pm
Market and Second Street. to Kearny and Jackson
Highlights will include elaborate decorated floats, stilt walkers and the 250-foot-long Golden Dragon "Gum Lung."

Feb. 19-20
Community Street Fair Sat. 10 - 4:30 pm, Sun. 9-5
Pacific to Washington, btw. Kearny and Stockton
Enjoy dance and music from throughout Asia and experience ancient and modern Chinese arts such as calligraphy, kite-making and acrobatics.