The oldest and most important festival in China is the Spring Festival, more commonly known in the West as Chinese New Year. The date of the festival is determined by the lunar/solar calendar rather than the Western (Gregorian) calendar, so the date of the holiday varies from late January to mid February. In 2009 Chinese New Year falls on January 26.

Manhattan's Chinatown has a fun and colorful parade that winds throughout Chinatown, and you'll find it a festive time to shop and eat in the neighborhood. Families hold many banquets during Chinese New Year, and it's a great time to try new foods as well as extensive menus prepared especially for this holiday period.

Parade Route: Parade begins at Mulberry Street (at Columbus Park), then (in procession) Canal St. to Mott St. to Chatham Sq. to East Broadway to Market St. to Division St. to Bowery to Canal St. and ending back at Mulberry St. (at Columbus Park).