The 10 Top Places to Celebrate Chinese New Year

February is just around the corner and so is Chinese New Year. Celebrate the Lunar New Year in style in these international destinations.

1. New York City, New York

2019 is the year of the pig, with celebrations beginning February 5. New York City’s iconic Chinatown is one of the top places to celebrate Chinese New Year. Enjoy the annual street party, parade and festival to see vendors, taste traditional treats and embrace the festivities.

2. Bangkok, Thailand

Visit Bangkok during Chinese New Year and watch the entire city turn red! The celebration offers dragon parades, acrobats, firecrackers and, of course, those iconic paper lanterns. Be sure to stop by the Yaowaraj district to see some of the city’s most vibrant events.

3. Sydney, Australia

There’s so much to do in Sydney, Australia during Chinese New Year! Stop by the Sydney Opera House to see its sails turn red. While you’re there, take an Asian language tour of the opera house and, if you’re lucky, catch a special performance by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

4. San Francisco, California

This city’s celebration has 200-year-old roots, beginning in the early 1800s during the California Gold Rush. It’s no surprise this celebration is one of the largest in the world. More than three million people watch the historic “Grand Parade.” Travel tip: If you don’t want to stake out your spot hours before the event, you can purchase bleacher tickets in advance.

5. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Malaysia’s magically lit temples are a sight to see. You won’t want to miss the lion and dragon dances or acrobatic displays. Fun fact: the Chinese New Year celebration in Kuala Lumpur begins in the weeks leading up to the big day and officially lasts 15 days.

6. Paris, France

The city of love is a hotspot during Lunar New Year! Stop by the Chinese culture center – Les Temps du Corps – to take part in a tea ceremony or workshop. Multiple parades take place across Paris, be sure to look for one in the neighborhood you’re staying in.

7. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Ring in the Vietnamese New Year in Ho Chi Minh City. This celebration, known to the locals as Tet, follows the same lunar calendar as the Chinese New Year. This holiday is a celebration of togetherness, be sure to join in the many public parades taking part throughout the festival.

8. London, England

Colorful parades and performances take place in London’s West End for Lunar New Year. You can discover gastronomic gems and martial arts performances from Shaftesbury Avenue to Trafalgar Square. Leicester Square also offers a children’s zone for family-friendly entertainment, including performances and calligraphy workshops.

Don’t have time to leave the states for Chinese New Year? Not a problem! Most major North American cities offer exciting festivals, parades and activities around the Lunar New Year. Stop by Chinatown in Los Angeles, the Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland or the Chongqing Chuanju Opera Theatre in Chicago to celebrate. Whether you’re traveling internationally or within North America, book your stay at one of Best Western’s 4,200+ worldwide locations to start celebrating!