To kick off the Year of the Rat, several locations across the city will be celebrating the Chinese New Year with classic festivities. Chinatown will present its annual Lion Dance Parade, while Dilworth Park will host martial arts performances.
Leaning more toward unconventional activities, you can eat your way through the city with the fare of your choice: chowder, pancakes or booze. Choose wisely.
However you ring in the Lunar New Year this weekend, plan it out with The KYW To-Do List, your guide for all things to do in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs this weekend.
DATE/TIME: Saturday, 11 a.m.
WHERE: 10th and Spring Garden streets, Chinatown
DETAILS: Get a spot early and watch lions and dragons dance through the streets of Chinatown to celebrate the Chinese New Year. There will also be a parade on Friday at 11:30 p.m.
PRICE: Free to watch
EVENT: Lunar New Year Celebration
DATE/TIME: Saturday, 1 to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Old City
DETAILS: Explore how the Lunar New Year is celebrated across the seas. Practice your calligraphy or make your own rotating calendar.
PRICE: $14 to $18
EVENT: Chinese New Year Celebration
DATE/TIME: Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m.
WHERE: Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th St., Center City
DETAILS: Bring your sparklers and watch kung fu and tai chi performances from local martial arts instructor Master Matt Zhang. Later, watch Chinatown’s own Philadelphia Suns do the traditional lion dance.
PRICE: Free to attend
DATE/TIME: Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: Various restaurants in Manayunk; check-in at Richard's Apex parking lot
DETAILS: Now in its second year, the chowder crawl will feature more than 10 restaurants serving some of the best winter comfort foods. General admission includes chowder samples, access to a beer garden, a custom “crawl” map, and live entertainment.
PRICE: $10
EVENT: Last call: Catch a flick at Ritz at the Bourse
DATE: Final screenings on Sunday
WHERE: Ritz at the Bourse, 400 Ranstead St., Old City
DETAILS: After three decades, the landmark theater that played independent films and foreign movies is closing. Check out the last films playing here.
PRICE: $9 to $11
EVENT: The Philadelphia Pancakes and Booze Art Show
DATE/TIME: Saturday, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
WHERE: Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., Philadelphia
DETAILS: Leave the kids at home and come out for free all-you-can-eat pancakes, beer and more than 80 artists exhibiting work. There will be live music performances.
PRICE: $10 to $15
DATE/TIME: Friday; doors at 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: City Winery Philadelphia, 990 Filbert St., Center City
PRICE: Tickets start at $25
EVENT: Dancing With the Stars: Live!
DATE/TIME: Sunday, 8 p.m.
WHERE: The Met Philadelphia, 858 N. Broad St., Philadelphia
PRICE: Tickets start at $40