Chinese New Year also known as Lunar New Year is celebrated in countries and territories including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. In China, the celebration is also known as the Spring Festival because it starts from the beginning of Spring within the traditional solar calendar.
This is a celebration of family, fun and feasting. Traditionally, red packets containing money are handed out to family, friends and relatives as a way of sending good wishes and blessings during this holiday period and mandarin oranges are exchanged to symbolise good luck.
Abu Dhabi
Celebrate Chinese New Year on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi
Guests are invited to celebrate Chinese New Year 2018 with an authentic experience on Al Maryah Island, from 15th to 17th February. Visitors will enjoy an array of events on offer, from traditional Chinese dances and entertainment, to enigmatic performances from the Far East, and a delicious food market. Abu Dhabi’s business and lifestyle destination will be filled with authentic experiences for all ages to enjoy, with an impressive firework display on 16th February at 9.00pm.
Known for hosting one of the most spectacular Chinese New Year celebrations in the UAE, Al Maryah Island’s waterfront Promenade and The Galleria on Al Maryah Island’s interior will be transformed into an illuminating display of Chinese lanterns and decorations. A stunning Tree of Fortune (Ang Pao) will be located in The Galleria Ground Floor ‘Great Room’, where visitors can make a Chinese New Year wish. Throughout the weekend on the glistening waterfront Promenade, residents and visitors will experience the roaming entertainment of lion dancers, special performances by a Chinese opera singer, and will also be transfixed by the cultural art of Chinese folk and fan dancing, along with an array of delicious Chinese cuisine to try.
Little ones will adore the hands-on activities such as origami making and Chinese paper lanterns, as well as kite designing and face painting. The public will be enchanted with the arts and crafts section, showcasing Chinese calligraphy, paper marbling and the customary Chinese New Year Red Packet.
Ring in the Chinese New Year at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
Drums, paper lanterns and dancing dragons are all set to start the celebrations at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi!
The program of events for the Chinese New Year celebration will feature a line-up of the Far East’s most popular traditions including captivating performances by the award-winning Shenyang and Hebei Acrobatic Troupes. The shows are set to entertain guests with circus and martial arts performances, bicycle balancing, meteor and Hoops acts.
The nine-day celebration will also feature an interactive Chinese Kids Craft area, where young guests can show their artistic skills in mask painting and lantern making and traditional arts and crafts. Kids will also have the chance to learn the ways of Kung Fu from a traditional martial arts grand master at Khalil’s Kung Fu academy. The Park will also welcome back Huan Huan the beloved panda at the Bamboo Garden at La Piazza.
A Chinese New Year Parade will spread the celebration vibes across the entire park featuring various acts that include the Dragon Dance, Drummers and Flag Bearers. Guests can also grab one of the many Rickshaw rides at the festival to take them around the park.
Guests can enjoy the Chinese New Year festivities every day during the period February 16th to 24th, from 11.00am to 8.00pm at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.
UAE residents can still benefit from the Residents Offer throughout Chinese New Year and purchase Bronze admission tickets for AED 195 during weekdays and AED 235 during weekends.
Dubai
Dragon Mart transforms into exotic Chinese New Year wonderland with 10-day cultural celebration
Dragon Mart, will be transformed into a spectacular attraction straight out of China with a 10-day festival of prizes, live entertainment and colourful traditional lighting to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Children can enjoy a specially-designed Panda Garden of Prosperity. This will complement a creative arts and crafts zone open daily from 2.00pm to 10.00pm to teach kids the art of making traditional Chinese ornaments, Chinese rattle drums and other novelties.
Visitors will be able to witness live entertainment acts every day at 5.00pm to 9.00pm with traditional Chinese face changer, lion dancing, Chinese drummers and dazzling performances by Shaolin monks. Roving stilt-walkers wearing traditional colourful Chinese costumes will add to the atmosphere as they meander their way through the mall.
Chinese New Year celebrations at At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa
Skilfully crafted by the talented culinary team of At.mosphere restaurant, the 5 course Lunar New Year menu includes an array of festive dishes start with appetite-whetting Duck, Charsiew Chicken and Spinach Dumpling, followed by Soba Noodles, Cockles Clams, Hokkaido Scallops infused with Maotai and Challans Duck with Compressed Cucumber, Baked Carrot and Aromatic Duck Filled Dumplings. Round off the meal with At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa’s incredibly delicious molecular mango dessert, a perfect accompaniment to green tea.
Welcome the beginning of an auspicious Lunar New Year 2018 with exceptional culinary indulgences at At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa.
Date: 16th and 17th February 2018
Time: From 6.00pm
Price: AED 720 per person for a 5-course special Chinese New Year dinner menu
For reservations, please call 04 8883828 or email reservations@atmosphereburjkhalifa.com
Chinese New Year Dinner at Cabana
Revel the ambience and flavour of Chinese New Year with an authentic array of culinary delights at Cabana, offering views of the spectacular Burj Khalifa laser display that won the Guinness World Records title – ‘Largest light and sound show’. Enlighten your taste buds with a wide variety of far eastern salads, traditional barbeque duck and mouth-watering steamed dim sum. Complete the experience sampling an exotic selection of Chinese dessert and toasting the night with mandarin orange ice tea.
Date: 15th February 2018
Time: 7.00pm to 12.00am
Price: AED 300 per person inclusive of soft drinks; AED 400 per person inclusive of premium beverages. AED 150 for kids. Terms and conditions apply.
For reservations or more information, please contact 04 888 3444 or email dine@emaar.com
Flying? Emirates will ensure you don’t miss out on the festivities
Emirates’ travellers are in for a treat this February with a specially curated selection of festive Lunar New Year goodies. Available for a limited time only, passengers travelling from Dubai to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Zhengzhou, Yinchuan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei and Hanoi can indulge in Emirates’ exclusive Lunar New Year offerings onboard and in airport lounges in Dubai and select destinations.
Prior to take-off, premium customers can tuck into an assortment of Chinese dishes at the seven Emirates lounges found in Dubai International Airport from 15th to 18th February. Delicacies such as vegetable and dried shrimp dumplings will be served alongside Si Xi meatballs with Bok Choy in red meat sauce, coconut sago pudding and fortune cookies – crisp, sugary cookies that contain hidden fortunes written on pieces of paper.
From 15th to 17th February, travellers can revel in festivity thousands of feet above the ground. Customers travelling in First Class and Business Class on some routes will receive a red packet with two chocolate coins, symbolising the auspicious value of “lucky money” during this special occasion.
