Denver Celebrates Chinese New Year 2013 - Year of the Snake

While there are many Chinese New Year celebrations around Denver in 2013, we consider the best to be the FREE LION dances at the Far East Center. This year's show is Sunday, Feb. 10  at noon.

Boulder's Sholin Hung Mei Kung Fu Assoc. always breathes humor, cunning and charm  into the mythological Lion beasts. Be on the lookout for Dancing Lions as they visit  Far East Center's shops and restaurants for Bai Nian - an impromptu series of performances meant to welcome in the New Year with good luck and fortune.

Can't make the Far East Center show on Feb. 10? No worries. Catch one of the Association's Lion Dances held at various restaurants and Chinese New Year events around Denver. Check out their schedule here.

Be advised that the celebrations are firecracker fueled, and it is pretty crowded event. For some of us, that's part of the charm. For others, it is the ninth ring of Hell. Most older kids love explosives and they'll love this event. Consider using earplugs for sensitive ears.

Other tips? Wear red, the color of the New Year. Make sure you get there early (333 S. Federal) but don't even try to park in the Far East Center lot. Don't even think about it, really. (You can thank us later for that tip.) You will have to find neighborhood street parking, and those spots fill up quickly, so be prepared to hoof it. 

Leave time to peruse the fun Far East Center shops and acquire some basic Feng Shui accessories, dragon and snake figurines or delicious teas. 

There are plenty of good restaurants at Far East Center, but don't miss the affordable and amazingly delish Celestial Bakery. (Cash only). Try the BBQ  pork buns, addictive sesame balls stuffed with red bean paste, or custard tarts and cookies. The Far East Center, 333 S. Federal, near Alameda and Federal,  Denver.  More event info here.