Each year the Chinese American Chamber of Commerce organizes the largest Chinese New Year Celebration in Las Vegas. Come celebrate the Year of the Dragon on Sunday, January 29th from 10 am to 5 pm.

Included with the celebration is the biggest Authentic Asian Food Gathering in the city. Hong Kong, Canton, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Thai, Hawaiian cuisine and more.

Entertainment at the Festival runs between 11 am and 4 pm.

Performances:
Lion Dance
Japanese Taiko Drums
Chinese Folk Dance
Japanese Dance
Chinese Martial Arts
Tahitian Dance
Chinese Acrobat
Philippine Bamboo Stick Dance
Korean Dance
Dragon Dance
Plus other entertainment like Chinese Arts & Crafts, Calligrapher, Chinese Fortune teller.

There will be over 30 different retail vendors displaying merchandise from various parts of Asia. Over 5,000 people are expected throughout the day, so come early! There will be Free Drawings and Exhibitions, and much more!

Admission $3 for adults and $1 for children ages 6-12. Children 5 and under are free.  Click here for more information.

Las Vegas Chinatown Plaza
4255 Spring Mountain Road
Las Vegas, NV 89102

Join The Venetian and The Palazzo as they celebrate Chinese New Year with lavish feng shui-inspired décor and awe-inspiring events. Witness a 128-foot hand-crafted dragon breathe fire from above the 65-foot-high waterfall atrium inside The Palazzo.  Regarded as the mightiest of signs, the dragon symbolizes ambition, passion and success. Those who possess the sign of the Dragon are said to take risks, are unafraid of challenges and embody colorful personalities.

You can catch the ceremonial dragon dance and eye painting on January 23 at 1 pm, beginning at the main entrance of The Venetian. From there, the ceremony will dance its way into The Palazzo.

The M Resort invites you to celebrate the Chinese New Year on January 23 at 6 p.m. To kick-off the two week celebration a traditional Dragon Dance will be held on Monday, January 23 at 6pm to bring good luck and fortune to guests. A 63 foot-long dragon will feature adult and baby lion dancers, buddhas, musicians and festive flags and will make its way through our entire casino.  Enjoy the festive décor, Asian favorites at the Studio B Buffet and special poker room promotions.  Click here for more information.

MGM Resorts International celebrates Chinese New Year 2012, the Year of the Dragon, with exhilarating lion dances and a spectacular display at Crystals at CityCenter.

The Dragon is unique to the Asian Zodiac as it is not recognized as a real animal.  It does, however, represent a symbol of power and remains prominent in Chinese astrology.  The Dragon is viewed as a powerful almighty king made up of multiple parts of animals such as the tiger, fish, snake and eagle.  Individuals born in the Year of the Dragon tend to be powerful and often own a sharp tongue.

Lion Dances

The following schedule outlines each lion dance to be held in the respective resort’s main valet and porte cochere:

• ARIA – Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 1 p.m.
• Crystals – Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 1:30 p.m.
• The Mirage – Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 4 p.m.
• MGM Grand – Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 1 p.m.
• Bellagio – Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m.

Yau Kung Moon will perform traditional Chinese lion dances at ARIA, Bellagio, MGM Grand and The Mirage.  Yau Kung Moon, which translates to “Style of Flexible Power,” is considered one of the most-respected martial arts, dragon and lion dance organizations in the world.  It is a traditional Southern Shaolin Kung Fu system with more than 1,000 years of history.

In the 1960s, Yau Kung Moon was introduced to the United States by Grandmaster Ha Kwok Cheung’s disciples, Grandmaster Chan Jun Chuen, Grandmaster Wong Cheung and Grandmaster Wan Tak Kee.  They later passed the system onto their disciples, Master Bill Lee, Master Lok Sang Lee, Master Michael Lau and Master David Louie.

Within the lion dancing culture, Yau Kung Moon is considered one of the pioneers of Northern and Southern lion dancing (Nam Si Buk Mo) and has set an exceptionally high standard evidenced by its numerous competitions and performances.  Yau Kung Moon is known for its trademark gold uniforms and innovative routines and has been recognized internationally for being the first U.S. team to compete in the 1990 Invitational World Lion Dance Festival in Malaysia.  The group also has finished as the nine-time undefeated Chinese National Lion Dance Champions.

Crystals at CityCenter

The Flower Carpet on the first floor of Crystals at CityCenter has been decorated with a 43-foot long and 12-foot high authentic ceremonial dragon chasing a pearl symbolizing the constant pursuit of wisdom.  The dragon is surrounded by more than 4,000 flowers and plants including China mums, guzmania finest red, vriesea splendens, oncidium orchids, citrus trees and bamboo.

On Tuesday, Jan. 24, Crystals will join ARIA in its celebration with a traditional dragon dance with Kung Fu artists and Chinese performers.  Select Crystals retailers will take part in the traditions involved in the ceremonial dance by feeding the dragon cabbage as a sign of satisfying its needs along with giving the dragon a red envelope with money.  Both customs represent good luck and prosperity in the upcoming year.  The dance is scheduled to begin at approximately 1:30 p.m.

The Las Vegas Hotel (formerly the LV Hilton) will host it’s Chinese New Year Dragon Dance on Friday, January 27th at 2pm.

Caesars Entertainment celebrates the Year of the Dragon with citywide Lion Dances at its properties. On Friday, January 27th at 5pm at Harrah’s, 6:15pm at Imperial Palace, 7 p.m. at Flamingo Las Vegas, 10pm at the Rio, and on Saturday, January 28th at 12pm at Planet Hollywood, 1pm at Paris, 2pm at Bally’s, and 5pm at Caesars Palace.

Fremont Street Experience is hosting the first Chinese New Year Festival, 2012 Dragon in the Desert from January 24-28 6-11pm.  There will be  nightly community and cultural presentations, a custom Viva Vision production, authentic food offerings, and stage entertainment.

For a great recap of activities city-wide, check out the R-J’s coverage – by clicking here.

Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens invites guests to celebrate the Year of the Dragon during Chinese New Year with a vibrant display honoring the mythical creature that symbolizes good fortune and power. A serene sanctuary guided by the ancient practice of Feng Shui – the art of using surroundings to attract harmony, balance and positive life energy – is on view through March 4.

For the first time during Bellagio’s Chinese New Year display, the Conservatory will feature live entertainment.  The Las Vegas-based “Beijing Trio” will perform traditional folk and pop music with authentic Chinese instruments including the erhu, ruan and pipa. Complimentary performances take place 5 p.m. – 6 p.m., daily, within the wing-tipped Ming Dynasty-style gazebo in the South Garden, for the duration of the exhibit.

The majestic centerpiece of this exhibit consists of two animated 25-foot blue Dragons coiled around a cylinder of water. Rising from an island of tropical botanicals, the cylinders are accompanied by two 3,000-pound stone waterfalls surging nearby. A spectacular photo opportunity presents itself as the Dragons blow steam from their nostrils in an attempt to playfully swat at a legendary, oversized iridescent red pearl hanging directly above. The pearl, in Chinese lore, represents wealth, good luck and prosperity.

Nearby, two additional animated dragons, green and gold in color, actively lunge in the direction of the centerpiece. These 15-foot long dragons represent the elements wood and metal and are surrounded by a zig-zag bridge that leads to the striking gazebo. The bridge’s design follows the principles of Feng Shui, providing a difficult route for negative energy and bad spirits.

Just steps away in the North Garden, two animated dragons, brown and red, mirror their counterparts. These dragons represent the elements earth and fire and are surrounded by oversized silk red Chinese lanterns, a Chinese-style bridge and gold-leafed I-Ching coins, a traditional Chinese symbol for money.

The entrance of the Conservatory features a 21,000-gallon pond housing more than 200 Koi fish. The pond is found amidst I-Ching coins and flanked by four Ming Dynasty-style dings, ancestral vessels that protect against bad fortunes.

Legend has it that Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came. The fifth animal in the Asian zodiac, the legendary Dragon, serves as a symbol of ambition and is a master of authority. Those born in the Year of the Dragon, the most desirable year, tend to be passionate, strong leaders and artistically gifted.

On view through March 4, the Chinese New Year exhibit within Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is complimentary to the public and open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
3600 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89109

A new kind of visitor arrived at The Palazzo last night and will soon make its home in the resort’s Waterfall & Atrium Gardens. As the Year of the Dragon quickly approaches, The Palazzo’s horticulture team has been preparing for the auspicious holiday by transforming the resort into an oriental sanctuary.

After arriving in two 18-wheeler trucks, the dragon made its way into the resort through an impromptu entrance and across the casino floor before arriving in the atrium. Once complete, the signature attraction will be suspended 19 feet in the air and measure in at a staggering 128-feet and 8,000 pounds. The feng shui-designed zodiac took more than a year to create and 50 designers, welders and painters from across the globe.

According to feng shui practices, Peter Lung, with local feng shui boutique, World of Feng Shui, says it is good luck and will removes obstacles in the New Year to visit the dragon and walk around it three times in a clockwise motion.

The red and gold water dragon will be installed over the next weeks in time for the ceremonial dragon dance at 1 p.m. on Jan. 23 and will breathe fire and smoke at select times the first week of Chinese New Year.

Each year the Chinese American Chamber of Commerce organizes the largest Chinese New Year Celebration in Las Vegas. Come celebrate the Year of the Hare on Sunday, February 13th from 10 am to 5 pm.

Included with the celebration is the biggest Authentic Asian Food Gathering in the city. Hong Kong, Canton, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Thai, Hawaiian cuisine and more.

Entertainment at the Festival runs between 11 am and 4 pm.

Performances:
Lion Dance
Japanese Taiko Drums
Chinese Folk Dance
Japanese Dance
Chinese Martial Arts
Tahitian Dance
Chinese Acrobat
Philippine Bamboo Stick Dance
Korean Dance
Dragon Dance
Plus other entertainment like Chinese Arts & Crafts, Calligrapher, Chinese Fortune teller.

There will be over 30 different retail vendors displaying merchandise from various parts of Asia. Over 5,000 people are expected throughout the day, so come early! There will be Free Drawings and Exhibitions, and much more!

Admission $3 for adults and $1 for children ages 6-12. Children 5 and under are free.

Las Vegas Chinatown Plaza
4255 Spring Mountain Road
Las Vegas, NV 89102

The M Resort invites you to celebrate the Chinese New Year on Friday, February 11, 2011. The Lohan School of Shaolin will perform a traditional Chinese lion and dragon dance through the lobby and casino at 6pm.   Enjoy the festive décor, Asian favorites at the Studio B Buffet and special poker room promotions.  Click here for more information.

Kung Hei Fat Choy! In celebration of Chinese New Year – the Year of the Rabbit – Crystals at CityCenter debuts a gargantuan golden display of a graceful rabbit.  Weighing 1,200 pounds, reaching over 11 feet tall and stretching 12 feet long, this exhibit provides the perfect photo opportunity to ring in the new lunar year.

Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays, beginning this year on February 3. According to Chinese tradition, the Year of the Rabbit is a placid year, welcomed and needed after the ferocious Year of the Tiger.

The rabbit symbolizes graciousness, good manners, sound counsel, kindness, sensitivity and beauty. Guests will find the golden rabbit on display in the midst of Crystals’ elegant flower carpet. Coated with Pharaoh’s Gold paint, this intricate display was created with high-density foam and a fiberglass finish by the local Las Vegas design firm, Icon Sculpting.

Crystals at CityCenter is a magnificent gathering place that welcomes guests on a journey through couture, cuisine and entertainment on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip.

The display will be available for public viewing through March 7, 2011.

Crystals at CityCenter is accessible by entrances on Las Vegas Boulevard and CityCenter Place, or via the CityCenter Tram from the terminals at Bellagio and Monte Carlo.

Crystals at CityCenter
3720 South Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas, Nevada 89158

Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens invites guests to celebrate Chinese New Year – Year of the Rabbit, with a unique display replete with symbolic meaning and tradition. A serene sanctuary guided by the ancient practice of Feng Shui – the art of using surroundings to attract harmony, balance and positive life energy – is on display now through March 5.

The majestic centerpiece of this exhibit is a 35-foot Chinese Junk Boat with a 38-foot mast inspired by traditional 15th century fishing vessels. Making its debut at the Conservatory, the boat was created using teak, mahogany and cedar by Daniels Wood Land, Inc. – which is best known for building full-scale replicas of The Black Pearl for Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie franchise. The ancient vessel is surrounded by a zig-zag bridge – a design that follows the principles of Feng Shui, providing a difficult route for negative energy and bad spirits – as it leads to a striking, wing-tipped Ming Dynasty-styled gazebo.

Nearby, a 12-foot rabbit with a luxurious coat comprised of more than 4,500 live sedge plants, watches over eight babies at play within a forest of bamboo trees and Taihu rocks. Stones are viewed as essential features of any traditional Chinese garden and symbolize the larger world around us. After spending decades forming underwater, Taihu stones were chosen because they are believed to encourage circulation of ch’i, or natural energy.

Just steps away from Bellagio’s furry fortune ambassadors, an 18-foot-tall Chinese God of Prosperity is found amidst gold leafed I-Ching coins, a traditional Chinese money symbol. Widely recognized as the strongest symbol of good fortune and great luck in the New Year, the God of Prosperity is flanked by two Ming Dynasty-styled dings, ancestral vessels that protect against bad fortunes.

Celebrating one of the greatest archaeological finds in history and appearing for the first time in the Conservatory are seven replica Terracotta Warriors, covered in crushed walnuts and ground carrot seeds, accompanied by a horse-drawn carriage. A form of funerary art, the original Terracotta Army was buried with the First Emperor Qin in 210-209 BC in the Shaanxi Province and later discovered in 1974 by a group of farmers digging a well.

The teachings of Feng Shui also are used to position the flow of water into Bellagio’s Conservatory, and not away, ensuring the flow of positive energy. Oversized red silk Chinese lanterns throughout the Conservatory add to the auspicious nature of this spectacular exhibit.

Legend has it that Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came. The fourth animal in the Asian zodiac, the rabbit serves as a symbol of fortune and longevity. Those born in the Year of the Rabbit tend to be lucky, articulate and ambitious.

On view through March 5, the Chinese New Year exhibit within Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is complimentary to the public and open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
3600 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89109

The Venetian and The Palazzo horticulture team is hard at work transitioning from the holidays and creating a festive Chinese New Year décor throughout both properties. While the finished product won’t debut until Jan. 12, here’s  a behind-the-scenes look at the beginning phases of what promises to be an over-the-top display. Be sure to check out the video link of the horticulture team laying the ground work for the Year of the Rabbit celebrations – Click here for Behind the Scenes Chinese New Year Decor Setup Video.

Décor highlights include: 6-foot-tall hand-loomed Brocade silk, jade gold and red lanterns suspended midair; 15-foot fresh-cut bamboo, citrus trees all topped off with a signature 16-foot animated rabbit on the ground fountains of the atrium.

Each year the Chinese American Chamber of Commerce organizes the largest  Chinese New Year Celebration in Las Vegas.  Come celebrate the Year of the Tiger on Sunday, February 21st from 10 am to 5 pm.

Included with the celebration is the biggest Authentic Asian Food Gathering in the city.  Hong Kong, Canton, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Thai, Hawaiian cuisine and more.

Entertainment at the Festival runs between 11 am and 4 pm.

Performances:
Lion Dance
Japanese Taiko Drums
Chinese Folk Dance
Japanese Dance
Chinese Martial Arts
Tahitian Dance
Chinese Acrobat
Philippine Bamboo Stick Dance
Korean Dance
Dragon Dance
Plus other entertainment like Chinese Arts & Crafts, Calligrapher, Chinese Fortune teller.

There will be over 30 different retail vendors displaying merchandise from various parts of Asia. Over 5,000 people are expected throughout the day, so come early! There will be Free Drawings and Exhibitions, and much more!

Admission $3 for adults and $1 for children ages 6-12. Children 5 and under are free.

Las Vegas Chinatown Plaza
4255 Spring Mountain Road
Las Vegas, NV 89102

This weekend Chinese New Year will be celebrated by nearly every casino in Las Vegas.  Ring in the Year of the Tiger by checking out the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s list of festivities by clicking here.