How to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Utah

Students from Calvin Smith Elementary perform a Chinese lion dance in the state Capitol in Salt Lake City on Feb. 12, 2018. Utahns from Orem to Ogden can celebrate Chinese New Year this weekend with fireworks, traditional lion dances and more.

Students from Calvin Smith Elementary perform a Chinese lion dance in the state Capitol in Salt Lake City on Feb. 12, 2018. Utahns from Orem to Ogden can celebrate Chinese New Year this weekend with fireworks, traditional lion dances and more. (Scott G Winterton, Deseret News )


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SALT LAKE CITY — Utahns from Orem to Ogden can celebrate Chinese New Year this weekend with fireworks, traditional lion dances and more.

The Lunar New Year begins on Sunday, but some celebrations in the state will take place on Saturday. The Lunar New Year is an important celebration in many Asian cultures, particularly in China, Vietnam and South Korea. It highlights the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunar calendar.

Celebrations around the Lunar New Year vary by country but often include lion dances that are supposed to bring good luck and fortune, lantern festivals and religious ceremonies to honor ancestors. Which zodiac sign is being celebrated in 2023? It depends on which country you ask. The Chinese and Vietnamese calendars share 10 out of 12 zodiac signs, but this is one of the years where they differ.

This year is the year of the rabbit according to the Chinese calendar and the year of the cat according to the Vietnamese calendar.

Here's where you can celebrate in Utah this weekend:

Ogden

Ocean Mart in Ogden is hosting a free celebration this Sunday. The supermarket will offer free samples and cultural activities 12-6 p.m., a lion dance at 5 p.m. and a fireworks show at 6:30 p.m. The store is located at 1018 Washington Blvd. in Ogden. More information is available on the store's Facebook page.

Orem

The University Place shopping mall in Orem is hosting a Lunar New Year celebration Saturday afternoon. Locals can catch a lion dance parade at 12 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. At the end of the final lion dance parade of the day, visitors can watch a fireworks show that will be launched in the mall's north parking lot.

Salt Lake City

Foodies have the opportunity to learn some Chinese recipes during a Lunar New Year cooking class hosted by Salt Lake Culinary Education. The class is 6-9 p.m. on Friday. A list of the menu items and registration is available here.

Roy

Ocean Mart in Roy is hosting a free celebration on Saturday. The event will kick off with a lion dance at 11 a.m., followed by lantern riddles from 1-4 p.m. and a fireworks show at 7 p.m. Ocean Mart is located right off I-15 at 5651 S. 1900 West in Roy. More information is available on the supermarket's Facebook page.

West Jordan

Activities for families of all ages will be available at the West Jordan Library's Chinese New Year celebration Saturday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The celebration will include performances and giveaways.

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Sydnee Chapman Gonzalez is a reporter and recent Utah transplant. She works at the Utah Investigative Journalism Project and was previously at KSL.com and the Wenatchee World in Washington. Her reporting has focused on marginalized communities, homelessness and local government. She grew up in Arizona and has lived in various parts of Mexico. During her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, rock climbing and embroidery.

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