It’s out with the pig and in with the rat.
The Lunar New Year begins Jan. 25, and celebrations will take place until Feb. 8, according to travelchinaguide.com.
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You don’t have to travel to Asia to help ring in the Year of the Rat, however. There are many ways to celebrate here in Atlanta.
Atlanta Chinese Lantern Festival
6–11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 6–10 p.m. Sunday
Southern Company Amphitheater: Centennial Olympic Park Drive and Marietta Street, Atlanta, GA 30313
You have three more chances to experience the Chinese Lantern Festival. Although not technically part of new year celebrations, the handcrafted laterns will introduce you to one aspect of Chinese culture. This year’s theme, “Into the Wild,” features handcrafted lanterns of more than 25 kinds of land and sea animals. There are also interactive lanterns you can touch and experience up close. In addition to lanterns, each night will have performances featuring acrobats, dancers and more.
Admission: $17 for adults, $13 for ages 3-12.
10:30–11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11
Chamblee Public Library: 4115 Clairmont Road, Chamblee, GA 30341
The Atlanta Chinese Dance Company will present costumed traditional dances from many of China's diverse cultures.
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4–6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16
Gwinnett County Public Library: 3480 Duluth Park Lane, Duluth, GA 30096-3257
Kids will learn about the traditional Lunar New Year celebrations around the world, plus create their own lanterns and miniature origami to take home.
6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18
Canton House Chinese Restaurant: 4825 Buford Highway, Chamblee, GA 30341
Join mother-daughter duo Natalie and Margaret Keng — the Chinese Southern Belles — to taste and explore Asia's most important holiday through an eight-course tasting menu of hand-selected, authentic traditional Chinese New Year dishes, fascinating food history, cultural trivia, calligraphy, fun audience participation and raffle prizes.
Admission: $54.99 for individuals; two for $99; $48 each for a party of six; $46.99 each for a table of 10.
6–8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21
Salud Cooking School Alpharetta: 2800 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30009
This hands-on cooking class at Whole Foods Market Avalon ushers in the Chinese New Year with “with good luck traditions and a celebratory evening of good food and friends.”
Admission: $55
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25
East Cobb Library: 4880 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, GA 30068
The Cobb County Public Library System is partnering with the East Cobb branch of Alliance of Youth Leaders in the United States and local schools to offer a Chinese New Year program at the East Cobb Library. The cultural presentation will include music, crafts and games. This program is also a celebration of the library system’s Chinese Foreign Language Collection, which is housed at the East Cobb Library.
Atlanta Lunar New Year Festival
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, and Sunday, Jan. 26
5377 New Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30341-2840 (Atlanta Chinatown Mall)
This celebration includes Taiwanese night market food, dragon and lion dances, cultural performances, and art and culture exhibits. Parking is available at the Atlanta Interactive College of Technology at 5303 New Peachtree Road in Chamblee. There will be a free shuttle between the college and Chinatown.
Admission: $7 for everyone 3 feet, 6 inches and taller. Children under that height are free.
