The Year of the Horse is galloping into the Mile High City and there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate across the Denver Metro area.
Lunar New Year, observed by millions around the world, marks a time of renewal, family, good fortune, incredible food and cultural traditions. Whether you’re looking to experience a dragon dance for the first time, support Asian-owned businesses, or simply find a new way to indulge in authentic cultural experiences, there are plenty of ways to join the celebration right here in our local community.
Here are our favorite ways to ring in the Lunar New Year in Denver:
1.)
Catch a Lion Dance at the Far East Center
There’s no better way to celebrate the Lunar New Year than to head to Denver’s Far East Center off Alameda and Federal and take in some Chinese tradition.
On February 21 and 22, the Far East Center is hosting a big Lunar New Year bonanza, with lion and dragon dances, cultural performances, authentic cuisine and much more. You’ll even find red envelopes, fresh fruit and decorative plants like money trees for sale — all symbols of prosperity and good fortune.
If you’ve never experienced Lunar New Year traditions in person, heading over to the Far East Center this weekend is one of the most accessible and energetic ways to jump in!
2.)
Shop for Red Envelopes and Lucky Gifts at Asian Markets
If you can’t make it to the Far East Center in person this coming weekend to celebrate, no worries! You can have just as festive of an experience in the comfort of your own home. All that’s required is a trip to your local Asian supermarket!
In the weeks leading up to the holiday, places like H Mart in Westminster and Aurora and Pacific Mercantile downtown transform into your one-stop-shop for celebration. Grab decorations or specialty snacks from pop up displays near the entrance or stacks of oranges, pomelos and other symbolic fruits in the produce section.
Even if you’re not cooking a full feast, picking up a box of sweets to share or a few red envelopes for friends is a simple way to participate. There’s no rules on the right or wrong ways to celebrate, so grab what sounds the best and most festive to you and have some fun!
3.)
Special Dinners & Restaurant Celebrations
Food sits at the center of Lunar New Year celebrations, and Denver’s restaurant scene offers plenty of ways to honor that tradition.
Restaurants like Star Kitchen and Super Star Asian Cuisine are known for large, family-style meals that feel especially fitting for the holiday. Many Lunar New Year feasts include symbolic dishes like whole fish for abundance, dumplings for wealth and longevity noodles for a long life.
Whether you gather a big group or keep it intimate, sharing a meal is one of the most authentic ways to celebrate the new year.
4.)
Take in a Festive Show at the PACE Center in Parker
For a more formal cultural experience, consider heading south to the PACE Center in Parker.
On Feb. 18, the Parker Arts organization is hosting a Lunar New Year performance featuring traditional music and dance, offering a theater-style introduction to the holiday’s history and symbolism. You can watch martial arts demonstrations, traditional dances and music, and even an authentic Vietnamese water puppet show!
A weekend trip to the PACE Center is a family-friendly way to celebrate and a great option for anyone looking to experience Lunar New Year through storytelling and performance.
5.)
Honor Denver’s Lunar New Year roots by learning about the city’s lost Chinatown
Did you know that Denver used to have its own Chinatown?
In the mid-to-late 1800s, the area near Union Station where much of LoDo sits now used to be called “Hop Alley,” where many Chinese immigrants landed following the completion of the transcontinental railroad in California. The neighborhood served as Denver’s hub for laundry, serving a rapidly growing city.
But in 1880, a bar fight escalated into what became known as Denver’s Anti-Chinese Riot. A racist mob stormed Hop Alley, killing one Chinese man, burning homes and businesses and causing damages equivalent to more than $1.7 million today. No one was held accountable. The community was never compensated.
Much of the Chinese community left in the years following the 1880 riot, while those who remained dispersed throughout the city. According to historian Sarah M. Nelson, the Chinese population reached a peak of around 3000 members around the turn of the 20th century. In 1940, only 110 of them remained in Denver. There are few, if any, visible remnants of Hop Alley remaining in the city today.
This Lunar New Year, take a moment not just to celebrate, but to remember. Understanding this history adds depth to the holiday and honors the resilience of Chinese communities who continue shaping Denver today.
Lunar New Year is ultimately about fresh starts, and what better way to embrace that than by exploring something new in your own backyard? Whether you’re attending a cultural performance, sharing dumplings with friends, or learning about traditions that span generations and continents, these celebrations offer a chance to connect with our local community in a meaningful way. As the new year begins, consider adding one (or a few) of these experiences to your bucket list, and may it bring you good fortune in the months ahead!
Do you have a listicle in mind? Any ideas can be sent to ryland.c.scholes@gmail.com And don’t forget to check out our events calendar on our website to see what else is happening in our area.
See you next Tuesday with another Bucket Listicle.
Ryland Scholes
Production Manager & Senior Reporter/ Bucket List Community Cafe
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