2024 Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration in Portland’s Old Town | Free Performances

Join the Oregon Historical Society in partnership with the Portland Chinatown Museum to welcome in the Year of the Dragon at the ninth annual Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration on February 17.

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Related Portland Events & Giveaways

• Lunar New Year: Lunar New Year @ Lan Su Chinese Garden | Year of the Dragon, Dragon & Lion Dance, Lantern Viewing, Cultural Performances & More! (Feb 7-March 2)
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• Spirits: Oregon Distilled Craft Spirits Festival 2024 @ The Redd | 35+ Distillers, Local Food Pairings, Distiller’s Dinner & more! (Feb 17)
• Theater: Experience Theatre Project Presents The Importance of Being Earnest @ The Lodge | An Immersive Comedy for Serious People (Feb 16-18)

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From website:
Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration
February 17, 2024
10AM-1:30PM | Free | All Ages
More info: ohs.org

Starts at Portland Chinatown Museum
127 NW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97209

On February 17, Follow a 150-foot dragon through downtown Portland and celebrate the coming of spring with lion dancers and performances. The parade begins at the Portland Chinatown Museum, through the China Gate and downtown Portland on SW Third Avenue, and up to the Oregon Historical Society for a joyous conclusion at the Jin & Julieann Park Plaza.

Schedule of Events

• 10am – 11am
  at NW Third Avenue and Davis Street
  Kick off with lion dancers and performances
  Dragon comes roaring out
• 11am – 12:30pm
  Parade around Old Town Chinatown
  Plucking of the greens at select locations
  Proceed up SW Third Avenue and up toward SW Jefferson Street and Park Avenue
• 12:30pm – 1pm
  Parade concludes at Oregon Historical Society’s Jin & Julieann Park Plaza

About Lunar New Year
The long and rich history of Chinese and Chinese Americans in Oregon goes back to before Oregon was even a state. Small groups of Cantonese-Chinese miners immigrated to the Oregon Territory from 1850 to 1853 marking the arrival of the first Chinese in Oregon. In addition to gold mining, Cantonese-Chinese laborers contributed to many other industries, including commercial agriculture, salmon canneries, railroad construction, and service work. With rising populations and new economic opportunities, permanent communities started to form in places such as Baker City, John Day, and Portland.

Throughout the complex history of inclusion and exclusion of the Chinese in Oregon, they maintained connections with their heritage by continuing to celebrate religious ceremonies and holidays that are still observed to this day including Lunar New Year.

Lunar New Year is a celebration marking the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar observed by millions of people in East, South, and Southeast Asian countries and diasporas, including those in Oregon. While the official dates for the holiday are not fixed, the festivities traditionally take place during the second new moon after the winter solstice over the course of 15 days. In 2024, Lunar New Year begins on Saturday, February 10 and ends on Saturday, February 24.