If you live in the West, you may be used to celebrating the solar new year from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1, when the clock hits midnight and a new year commences. This popular tradition among western countries follows the gregorian calendar based on how many times the earth goes around the sun. However, many cultures worldwide, notably Eastern cultures, observe and celebrate the Lunar New Year beginning on Jan. 22.
The Lunar New Year marks the start of a calendar year whose months are moon cycles, as determined by the lunar calendar or lunisolar calendar. The Lunar New Year is included in the Chinese calendar, the Hindu-Buddhist calendars of South and Southeast Asia, and the Islamic and Jewish calendars. Canada's indigenous Nisga'a people also celebrate it.
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This holiday is particularly famous in china, the country's most important holiday marking the beginning of spring. The Lunar New Year is a fifteen-day celebration with numerous traditions. Many families decorate windows with red paper cuttings and doors with couplets wishing the new year well. Shopping for holiday knickknacks at open-air markets and cleaning the house are popular customs. Most people look forward to the Lunar New Year's Eve reunion dinner, a feast with symbolic dishes that bring good luck and fortune, such as a whole fish representing abundance. The Lantern Festival is held on the fifteenth and final day of the holiday, during which people eat tangyuan or sweet glutinous rice balls. Children carry lanterns around their neighborhood to mark the end of the holiday.
The year of the rabbit in the Chinese zodiac is 2023. The cat replaces the rabbit in the Vietnamese and Gurung (Central Nepal) zodiacs. The mousedeer replaces the rabbit in the Malay zodiac.
Not everyone celebrates the Lunar New Year, but you can always celebrate respectfully the traditions and festivities that many places offer. It is no different in Miami, a city full of diversity and culture. Below find more about how to celebrate the Lunar New Year in the Magic City.
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7100 Biscayne Blvd / Website
On Sunday, Jan. 22, Phuc Yea will celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with various entertainment, drinks, and other activities. The festive celebration, priced at $95 per person (excluding tax and service), will include a 4-course prefixed dinner menu, with the main dish honoring the governing zodiac animal. The evening will also include an open bar priced at $75 per person - otherwise $16 per person - with a selection of Campari cocktails. A traditional dragon dance (9:00 p.m.), a DJ, and a Contrabando pop-up shop will round out the evening. Here are the menus:
Dumplings
shrimp, pork, confit tomatoes, Szechuan peppercorn sauce
Watermelon
red onion, tomatoes, fresh herbs, Nouc cham
Egg Noodles
garlic butter, oyster sauce, parmesan cheese
Confit Rab
curried chickpeas, cranberry relish
Chocolate Mousse
candy ginger, sesame brittle
Americano in Saigón
Coconut-washed Campari, acidulated apple cordial, sparkling coconut water
Pass the Diesel
Appleton estate rum, Frangelico, Nespresso, orange essence
Phuong's Den
Montelobos Mezcal, Szechuan and pink peppercorn grapefruit oleo, topo chico
Chun Lee Went to Town
Espolon blanco, hibiscus, rose water, pomegranate
Big Trouble in Little China
Russell's 10, creme de peche, egg white, lemon, mulled wine ice
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2001 Collins Ave / Website
What better way to ring in the Year of the Rabbit 2023 than with an exciting and delicious schedule of events at Jaya, The Setai Miami Beach's acclaimed pan-Asian dining destination. Here is the schedule and information:
National Peking Duck Day is observed on Jan. 18. and you can indulge in Jaya's signature Peking Duck dish ($48), which includes half-roasted duck, steamed pancakes, scallions, cucumbers, and plum sauce.
Jaya's Asian Night Bazaar, an entertainment extravaganza that takes place Thursday through Sunday evenings in the restaurant's courtyard, will present a special Lunar New Year version from Jan. 19 to Jan. 22. These evenings will feature traditional Chinese Lion Dance performances by Lee Koon Hung Foo Lion Dance Tea and the extraordinary aerial acrobats, contortionists, fire dancers, and a DJ that will entertain diners.
The Lion Dance will take place as follows in the Jaya Courtyard:
Jan. 20: 7:45 p.m. & 8:45 p.m.
Jan. 21: 8:30 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.
Jan. 22, 7:00 p.m. (one show only)
Wok Lobster, Dim Sum (Har Gau, Truffle Dumplings, Gyoza, Chive Dim Sum), Peking Duck, and special Lunar New Year cocktails like the Setai Spritz (with Chinese Five Spice) and Saigon Gimlet are among the culinary highlights. The Setai's Asian Night Bazaar celebrates its fifth anniversary in January.
Jan. 22: The Setai's legendary Sunday Jazz Brunch (11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., $98 per person) will also celebrate Lunar New Year by adding special Chinese dishes to the amazing buffet as the Setai Spritz at the cocktail station. A Peking Duck Bar is also on the menu.
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500 Brickell Key Drive / Website
On Jan. 21, between 12:30 and 3:00 p.m., Executive Chef Diego Oka will curate a special Lunar New Year Chifa Brunch. A traditional lion dance will take place at 2:30 p.m. to complement the delicious festive fusion.
Hot and cold food stations are stocked with signature cebiches, causas, tiraditos, sushi, salads, juicy anticuchos, whole fried fish, empanadas, and other traditional Peruvian offerings. The brunch experience includes, in addition to the sumptuous chifa buffet, tableside Chaufa Aeropuerto to share, a choice of main course, and assorted desserts. Brunch also includes two-hour brunch cocktails and a selection of wines, beers, and champagne.
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1080 Alton Road / Website
Tanuki Miami will hand out traditional red envelopes containing surprise gifts for each guest and a special Wagyu Bao: a steamed bun filled with wagyu beef, scallions, spicy hoisin, and shiitake mushrooms.
143 NW 23rd St. / Website
This year, 1-800-Lucky is planning something big to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit. On Jan. 21 and 22, Lucky will host its first-ever Lunar New Year Dine-Around. Guests can purchase a ticket ($75 via Eventbrite) and receive a traditional red envelope containing the dine-around menu, which includes seven 'lucky foods to eat in the new year, as well as a specialty cocktail, the menu includes:
Gold Marquess
Lucky Food: Noodles
Dish: Longevity Noodles, stir-fried noodles with shiitake mushroom, bean sprouts, and green onions
Yip
Lucky Food: Dumplings
Dish: Coconut Jelly Rabbit Dumpling, a light and refreshing dessert made with coconut milk in the shape of a rabbit
Usagi Tokyo
Lucky Food: Rice Ball
Dish: Oyakodon Donburi Rice Bowl, a play on the chicken-and-egg combination featuring Karaage Fried Chicken served with a crushed soft-boiled egg and scallions over a small bowl of rice and spicy mayo on the side
Jeepney
Lucky Food: Spring Roll
Classic Filipino stir-fried noodles, vegetables, and your choice of protein and spice level served with two pieces of lumpia or
Filipino Spring Rolls with a choice of shrimp + pork, creamy beef, or potato + cheese, wrapped in a crispy wonton skin
B-Side Sushi
Lucky Food: Fish
Dish: Tiradito with tuna, coconut Leche de Tigre, huacatay
2 Korean Girls
Lucky Food: Rice Cake
Dish: Korean Rice Cake Soup / Tteokguk
Taiyaki
Lucky Food: Fruit
Dish: Good Fortune Fruit with ice cream
1-800-Lucky Bar - cocktail special
Rabbit's Foot Cocktail with vodka, Baijiu, Campari, and lemon
To purchase a ticket, click here.
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500 Brickell Key Drive / Website
This Lunar Year, head to the fabulous Mandarin Oriental Miami to enjoy the traditional lion dance in the hotel's lobby on January 22 at 8:00 p.m. Guests will be invited to use the Good Intentions Tree to set their intentions for the year. If you want extra relaxation, head to The Spa for a journey that uses sound and touch to induce profound relaxation in the body and mind. MO Bar + Lounge will also offer specially curated cocktails for the Lunar New Year.
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437 SW 2nd St. / Website
Selina has planned an entire day of fun activities and workshops for you to celebrate the Lunar New Year. This is the perfect opportunity to use the moon's flow to release anything that is no longer serving you because the moon governs our emotions and psychological wiring.
One of the activities includes a clothing exchange, so go through your closet and bring anything that no longer serves a purpose in your life. (Please, no damaged or dirty items.)
Swap and drop: Make room for something new while letting go of what no longer serves you. Selina is donating everything they can.
Spend the day releasing, connecting, and creating art, music, and community!
The day begins with a gentle yin yoga flow led by Ju, followed by an incredible sound bath led by Dany Storm. Gina Marie will teach you about Tantra and the power of your voice. Kathleen will guide you through the sacred Himalayan culture of healing yourself with Tibetan singing bowls.
The day continues after our wellness program. Take a musical journey with DJ Penny Lane's Indigo lounge, which features guest DJs Really and Dario. Say hello to your conscious vendors, who have special offers for you, and explore the art of our local artists. Grab a paintbrush and channel your inner artist to express yourself on our community canvas. You can cool off in the pool if you need to!
The lunar new year celebration will conclude with a brief meditation. To get tickets, click here.
100 S Andrews Ave / Website
To commemorate the Chinese Lunar New Year, make red envelopes. Adults traditionally fill ornate red envelopes and distribute them to young children as a symbol of good fortune for the new year. In this activity, you will make the red envelopes from scratch, decorate them, and fill them with chocolate coins. To reserve a spot, click here.
Photography by: Courtesy of exxorian/Getty, szjphoto/Getty, Deyson Rodriguez, Oscar Wong/Getty
