Six Ways Dallas Is Celebrating The Year of the Rat

Dallas loves any reason to party. Add dim sum to the equation and we are ready to TURN IT UP! So, it's no surprise that the DFW-area has many celebrations planned throughout the next several weeks to celebrate Chinese New Year. In case you aren't familiar with this holiday, it is the Chinese festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar. In 2020, the first day of the Chinese New Year will be on Saturday, 25 January, initiating the Year of the Rat, which celebrates wealth, surplus and the beginning of a new day. Chinese New Year is associated with several myths and customs. Within China, regional customs and traditions concerning the celebration of the New Year vary widely, and the evening preceding Chinese New Year's Day is frequently regarded as an occasion for Chinese families to gather for the annual reunion dinner. It is also traditional for every family to thoroughly clean their house, in order to sweep away any ill-fortune and to make way for incoming good luck. Another custom is the decoration of windows and doors with red paper-cuts and couplets. Popular themes among these paper-cuts and couplets include that of good fortune or happiness, wealth, and longevity. Other activities include lighting firecrackers and giving money in red paper envelopes. For the northern regions of China, dumplings are featured prominently in meals celebrating the festival. It often serves as the first meal of the year either at midnight or as breakfast of the first day.

Here's how you can celebrate the Year of the Rat:

JANUARY 10-12 AND 17-19

Asia Times Square invites you to the LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVAL, Year of the Rat. This annual festival stretches over two consecutive weekends to celebrate the coming of the lunar year in Asian culture. Attendees will enjoy nightly concerts, daytime actives and multicultural performances, Lions and Dragons dance, martial arts, firecrackers, flash mob dance, VN bingo, food & commercial booths, Handmade Clay Art Products, Kidzone and Creative Zone. Cost: Free entry and parking. Food will be available for purchase. Asia Times Square is located at 2625 W. Pioneer Parkway, Grand Prairie, Texas 75051.


SUNDAY, JANUARY 26

Chef Bob Tam

Join James Beard Award-nominated Chef Bob Tam and Chinese Neighbor on Sunday, January 26 for an 8-course feast* of special dishes. Chef Tam has put his own signature twist on a fun flavorful pop-up menu that celebrates "lucky" foods associated with Chinese New Year with a playful American Twist with each course.

- MENU -

First Course: Malted Shrimp Chips, Chinese Onion Dip Second Course: Century Deviled Eggs
Third Course: Smoked Salmon "Everything" Eggroll Fourth Course: Mustard Green Egg Drop Soup
Fifth Course: Grilled Cheese Dumpling, H.K. Borscht Sixth Course: Golden Boy Pizza's Clams Clams & Garlic, Lo Bak Go (Daikon Crepe)
Seventh Course: Mala (Sichaun Peppercorn), Carbonara Lo Mien
Eighth Course: Truffle & Crispy Egg Custard Fried Rice

*Menu may change due to availability of ingredients & Chef Bob Tam's whimsey


WHEN: Sunday, Jan 26th from 5pm-7:30pm 
WHERE: Chinese Neighbor, 750 Richland Blvd #90, Prosper, TX 75078
COST: $28.88 + Tax & Gratuity
TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chinese-new-year-dinner-tickets-88606222597


FRIDAY, JANUARY 31

Don't miss the one and only stage production dedicated to Chinese New Year 2020 in the DFW area! The stage performance will begin at 7:00 PM and attendees will enjoy world-class musicians and award-winning performances featuring both classical and cultural performance arts. This is a great way to celebrate the traditional Lunar New Year holiday with friends and families. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased HERE. Moody Performance Hall, 2520 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201.



SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1 (CANCELLED)

Celebrate the Year of the Rat as the Crow Museum of Asian Art of The University of Texas at Dallas presents its annual free CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, from 11AM-4PM, at NorthPark Center. Free and open to the public, the family-fun festival to feature dragon and lion dances, musical and martial-arts demos, art-making, calligraphy, wellness activities, cultural performances, giveaways and more. Now in its third year, the festival features family-friendly activities, including dragon and lion dances, special landscape displays, works on view, musical and martial-arts demos, art-making and calligraphy, specialty booths, wellness activities, must-see entertainment, and cultural performances, plus retailer specials and giveaways throughout the center. The Chinese New Year Festival is free and open to the public. All announcements will be made in Mandarin and English. Visit northparkcenter.com or crowmuseum.org for the most up-to-date schedule of events and performances.

UPDATE: On Thursday, Jan. 30, NorthPark Center released a statement in response to the evolving health crisis in China stating that "the Crow Museum of Asian Art, The University of Texas at Dallas and NorthPark Center have decided to postpone the planned celebrations for Saturday’s Chinese New Year Festival. Our goal has always been to deliver a wonderfully inclusive, family-friendly event that showcases and elevates Asian cultures. We look forward to collaborating on future festivals that will be enjoyed by visitors from North Texas and beyond."


SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8

From exclusive shopping offers and festive promotions, to live cultural performances and themed holiday entertainment, guests from near and far are invited to enjoy the culture and customs of Chinese New Year at Highland Park Village. Taking place on the final day of Chinese New Year, an occasion traditionally marked by Lantern Festivals, Highland Park Village is bringing to life the captivating magic of new beginnings and the Year of the Rat. In addition, stroll and peruse a unique outdoor market around Livingston Court with Chinese inspired food and goods.

Highland Park Village is located at 47 Highland Park Village, Dallas, TX 75205. Click HERE for a complete schedule of events.




SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9

Don't miss the 11th ANNUAL CHINESE NEW YEAR DINNER hosted by JS Chen's Dim Sum and BBQ hosted on Sunday, Feb. 9.

You'll experience a traditional dragon/ lion dance up close and personal, listen to soothing melodies of Chinese orchestra, hear the children's voices as they welcome in the New Year, learn about the zodiac animal calendar and why red is the favorite color from Nelson Hsu.

Best of all, you'll experience a 10-course traditional Chinese New Year meal at JS Chen's Dim Sum and BBQ which was named one of the top 10 Dim Sum Restaurants in the United States.

Planned Menu (subject to change):
Course 1: Chicken and corn soup
Course 2: Combination Dim sum plate: potstickers, shrimp dumpling, sui mai
Course 3: Peking Duck
Course 4: BBQ chicken and Pork
Course 5: Sauteed Snow pea leaves
Course 6: Shrimp with Chinese Broccoli
Course 7: Sauteed Grey Sole Fish
Course 8: Yang Chow Fried Rice
Course 9: Vegetable Lo Mein
Course 10: Oranges for dessert.

Tickets range from $35-$70 depending on age and includes drinks and wine. We will have 2 bottles of wine and soda and water per table. However, if you would like to bring your own wine or alcohol, please feel free to do so. Click HERE to purchase tickets. Located at 240 Legacy Dr #118, Plano, TX 75023.