Nevada celebrates Chinese New Year with events, entertainment and more
CARSON CITY, Nev. — Celebrate Chinese New Year in Nevada! Silver State resorts will mark the Year of the Rooster, which begins Jan. 28, with events, special entertainment, décor and dining specials. From Reno in the north to Las Vegas in the south, may everyone find happiness and good fortune this lunisolar year. IN NORTHERN NEVADA: The Chinese Association of Northern Nevada will have its Lunar New Year Festival with lion and dragon dancing, kung fu demonstrations and cultural food Feb. 12 at the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks. Visitors also can enjoy traditional lion dances at various northern Nevada properties, including the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, Circus Circus Hotel & Casino and the Grand Sierra Resort. Check with resorts directly for dates and times. In northern Nevada’s resort kitchens, chefs will be preparing such special treats as Char Siu Ban and Peking duck for special Chinese New Year buffets. Among the resorts offering holiday buffets: Bonanza Casino, Jan. 28-29; and the Buffet inside the Eldorado and Flavors! The Buffet inside Silver Legacy, both Feb. 16-19. IN SOUTHERN NEVADA: Chinese New Year in the Desert, now in its sixth year, runs Jan. 27-30 at various Las Vegas locations. The event kicks off Jan. 27 at Fashion Show Mall and celebrations continue Jan. 28 with the Las Vegas Spring Festival Parade in Downtown Las Vegas, followed by an after-party at the downtown Container Park. Events culminate with the DragonFest Benefit Concert Jan. 29 at The LINQ Theater. A Chinese New Year Celebration and Asian Food Festival takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Las Vegas Chinatown Plaza, and features performances, dances, cultural activities and vendors. The event is billed as offering the largest sampling of authentic Asian cuisine in Las Vegas. Sundance Helicopters will welcome customers with Chinese lanterns, tangerine trees and festive decorations for New Year’s celebrations. On Jan. 28, its Grand Canyon West terminal will come alive with Chinese lion dancers and drummers performing with the Grand Canyon as a stunning backdrop. Madame Tussauds Las Vegas inside the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian will celebrate the holiday by displaying one of Hong Kong’s movie icons, Jackie Chan. Southern Nevada resorts also will honor the Chinese Year. Las Vegas’ newest property, Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino, will begin its 15-day celebration Jan. 28 with a traditional lion dance followed by giveaways. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will host the ‘Dotting of the Eyes’ ceremony Jan. 30, and The LINQ Promenade will offer Chinese dance performances 27-30. Lion and dragon dances are an important ritual of Chinese culture, symbolizing good luck and prosperity. Traditional dances will take place on Jan. 28 at ARIA Resort & Casino, the Palazzo Las Vegas and the Venetian Las Vegas; Jan. 29 at MGM Grand Hotel and Casino and the Palms Resort; and Jan. 30 at the Bellagio and Palace Station. Special Chinese New Year concerts include Sam Hui Jan. 28 and the Venetian and Chinese pop-rock group Band of Brothers Jan. 29 at the Monte Carlo. Chinese New Year dining options will be plentiful in Las Vegas, from special menus to buffet stations. Among the offerings: Chinese New Year Dim Sum Brunch Jan. 27 to Feb. 5 at Wing Lei inside Wynn Las Vegas; a limited-edition menu Jan. 13 to Feb. 11 at Hakkasan inside MGM; and a prix fixe menu Jan. 28 to Feb. 5 at Pearl Ocean inside Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino. The Nevada Division of Tourism is part of the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. More commonly knowns as Travel Nevada, it is responsible for promoting and marketing Nevada as a travel destination to domestic and international travelers. Operating within a performance-based budget structure, Travel Nevada is funded solely by a percentage of lodging tax paid by overnight guests throughout the state. For more, visit www.travelnevada.biz.
