Festive monkeys on Chinatown storefronts herald Lunar New Year

With the Year of the Monkey -- lunar year 4702 -- in full swing, Lower Manhattan's Chinatown is filled with festivities. Holiday lights, lanterns, and banners line the streets, and though official Lunar New Year's Day has past -- it fell on January 22 -- events and activities are planned well into February. Don't miss out!

Lunar New Year Events and Activities

• Winter Garden performance to feature beautiful costumes, dance, acrobatics

  Chinese Folk Dance Performance at the Winter Garden
  Tuesday, February 5
  7 p.m.
  
  Come out for a spectacular free performance of dance, acrobatics, and Peking opera by the Chinese Folk Dance Company at the World Financial Center's Winter Garden. For more information, call (212) 945-2600.
  
  
• Closing Ceremony
  Sunday, February 8
  2 p.m.
  
  A closing ceremony at Mott and Canal Streets will feature lion dance performances, traditional Chinese music, and martial arts exhibitions. Ting Din Ng, president of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, will provide closing remarks.
  
  
• Lunar New Year Holiday Meal Promotion
  Ongoing
  
  As part of its Lunar New Year Celebration, the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association has invited more than 35 of Chinatown's top restaurants to participate in a special holiday promotion featuring three-course, prix-fixe lunches and dinners for $8.88 and $18.88, respectively.  Each restaurant will select its own menu, and the special Lunar New Year menus will be displayed on tables.  Posters advertising the promotion will also be displayed in the front windows of participating restaurants.  The promotion will continue through March 8.