The Somerset BIA was proud to host the 25th annual Lunar New Year celebrations! Lunar New Year is tied to the lunar-solar Chinese calendar and falls on different days every year. This year, Lunar New Year is on 23rd of January.

On Saturday 28, January 2012, approximately 1,500 of visitors gathered along Somerset Street to watch the Success Lion Dance troupe entertain the visitors to the area as well as scare off bad luck and bring good future.

The Chinese Lion Dance goes back over one thousand years. The first record of an early form of the Lion Dance should date to the early Chin and Han dynasties (Third Century B.C.) Dragon is a symbol of power, strength, and good luck. There will be a lot of energy and excitement in 2012.

On January 28, 2012, Lion and Dragon dance groups toured from business to business to celebrate New Year. The businesses hung up a lettuce with a red package in front of their doors invite lions and dragons to make a special dance for their businesses as it is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to them! We had around 30 businesses welcomed the Lions and dragons dance for their businesses.

One golden dragon and one silver dragon danced with the three lions under the wonderful gateway. Chinatown wishes all Canadians happiness in the Year of the Dragon and beyond.

Thanks for coming to Chinatown to celebrate this annual event. Hope to see you at our next event.

Happy New Year and all the best for 2012!