Thanks to the lunar calendar, the Chinese New Year is a bit of a moving target. This year, it begins on Tuesday, February 5 and celebrations last for as long as two weeks. 2019 marks the Year of the Pig (taken from the Chinese zodiac). Those born in 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, and 2019 have a beautiful personality and are blessed with good fortune.
Celebrations are an explosion of light and sound with fireworks, music and traditional lion dances. Never one to miss a party, Colorado will celebrate Chinese New Year will a host tons of activities and parties, some for the kiddos and others for grown-ups.
Here are some we could find. If you know of any we’ve missed, email us at info@milehighonthecheap.com and we’ll try and get them added to the list.
Also, check out a huge list of free things to do around Denver this week. And if you haven’t subscribed to Mile High on the Cheap’s email list, sign up now. There’s no better way to ring in the new year!
January 28 to February 9
Outlets at Castle Rock hosts two weeks of Chinese-themed traditions and activities throughout the center. From January 28 to February 9 you can stop at the Customer Service Desk for a Red Envelope, each with an $8 gift card to any Outlets at Castle Rock Store, a number that traditionally indicates good fortune in China. Simply visit customer service, and say “Happy New Year!” to receive your card and additional center promotions. During that same time frame, Chinese New Year lanterns and decorations will be given to kids 12 and younger. By turning in their decorated lantern, youngsters receive their own red envelope with a special surprise inside.
Saturday, February 2
2019 Colorado Chinese New Year Celebration
Citypoint Church
Saturday, February 2, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The largest celebration in the area. FREE admission for the Cultural Fair, Taste of China and a Marketplace filled with arts & crafts. Savor a variety of authentic Chinese foods. Experience cultural displays, entertainment, music, artworks and crafts, calligraphy, traditional costumes, children’s games and more. Tickets are $25 to the Celebration Show from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. It features acrobats, magic, dance, opera, music, martial arts and a children’s choir. 200 S. University Blvd. (near Cherry Creek Shopping Center), Denver.
Park Hill Supermarket
Saturday, February 2, 10 a.m.
Free face painting and balloons from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dragon and lion dance at 2 p.m. Cooking demos, food samples and sales. Lucky money given to kids 12 and under (while supplies last). 3770 E. 40th Ave., Denver.
2019 Chinese New Year Cultural Fair
Southridge Recreation Center
Saturday, February 2, noon to 4 p.m.
Celebrate Asian art and culture. See an array of educational, art and craft displays and items for purchase. The Fair is FREE. There’s a special performance by the Great Wall Chinese Academy from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. with dragon and lion dances, martial arts and music. Tickets to the show are $8 in advance and $11 at the door (if not sold out). 4800 McArthur Ranch Rd., Highlands Ranch.
Sunday, February 3
Chinese New Year Craft Party
Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales Library
Sunday, February 3, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Hosts a Chinese New Year Craft Party for kids ages 3 to 8 (with an adult). 1498 N. Irving St., Denver.
Chinese New Year Craft Party
Monday, February 4
DU Lunar New Year Celebration
Anna and John J. Sié International Relations Complex
Monday, February 4, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Enjoy food, music, activities, and much more from different Asian traditional celebrations
Saturday, February 9
Truong An Gifts
Saturday, February 9, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Celebrate Chinese New Year with events all day. Opening Ceremony kids fashion show at 11:30 a.m.
Shaolin Hung Mei (Dragon Dance & Martial Arts) at noon. Tai Kung Ha (Tai Chi Performance) at 1 p.m. National Martial Arts Academy (Dragon Dance & Wushu) at 1:30 p.m. Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage (Dragon Dance & Martial Arts) at 2:45 p.m. (All kids are welcome to join and welcome in the Dragon, please dress your children in any traditional attire to participate). 333 S. Federal Blvd., Denver.
Dragon and Traditional Folk Dances
Outlets at Castle Rock
Saturday, February 9, 1 p.m.
Dancers and artists from the Jasmine Flower Dance Academy will perform dragon dances and traditional folk dance in the Outlets at Castle Rock courtyard by Under Armour.
Lions Dances at Pacific Ocean Marketplace
POM Denver store
Saturday, February 9, 2:30 p.m.
The enormous Pacific Ocean Marketplace will present a Lion Dance at the Denver location (2200 W. Alameda Ave.).
Great Wall Super Buffet
Saturday, February 9, 5 p.m.
Chinese New Year celebration with dragon and lion dances. 3215 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood.
Sunday, February 10
Lions Dances at Pacific Ocean Marketplace
Sunday, February 10
POM Broomfield store, noon
POM Aurora store, 2:30 p.m.
Pacific Ocean Marketplace will present a Lion Dance and at noon at the Broomfield location (6600 W. 120th Ave.) and at 2:30 p.m. at the Aurora location (12303 E. Mississippi Ave.).
Truong An Gifts
Sunday, February 10, store hours 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Celebrate Chinese New Year with a 2:45 p.m. Kids Fashion Show, followed at 3 p.m. with a performance by Nguyen Thieu Lion Dance Group. 333 S. Federal Blvd., Denver.
Saturday, February 16
The Asian Pacific Alliance of Longmont
Silver Creek High School
Saturday, February 16, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
This FREE event features an art show, food, live performances, including the Lion Dance, Taiko Drummers, Tai Chi, Kung Fu, dancers and singers. Enjoy trying your skills at a number of hands-on booths — Chinese paper cutting, Origami, Chinese brush painting, chopstick lessons, a tea ceremony and more. 4901 Nelson Rd., Longmont.
