Chinese New Year Las Vegas 2016: year of the monkey guide

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Get ready. The most important Chinese holiday takes Las Vegas by storm from Feb. 8-14, 2016 with a whirlwind of incredible special events. Celebrate the Year of the Monkey with awe-inspiring performances, interactive exhibits, decorations, specialty food and drink vendors, music and dancing with the 5th Annual Chinese New Year in the Desert.

Las Vegas is one of the biggest destinations in the world for Chinese New Year, which is known as “Spring Festival” in China. In a week bookended by The Big Game and Valentine’s Day, Las Vegas will turn into a major celebratory hot spot. This is the largest week-long celebration of Chinese New Year in Vegas, and The LINQ Promenade and Caesars Palace are two popular locations hosting multiple festival events.

Want a package deal? Book the limited-time Chinese New Year hotel and entertainment package, which includes a special room rate from Feb. 8-14 for two deluxe room accommodations, two anytime tickets to the High Roller observation wheel and a complimentary Kodak photo. Book at The LINQ Hotel here or Flamingo Las Vegas hotel here.

Here’s a rundown of the top happenings you don’t want to miss.

LION DANCES

February 8-13 7 p.m. – The LINQ Promenade

February 12 5 p.m. – Caesars Palace 8 p.m. – The LINQ Hotel 9 p.m. – The Cromwell

February 13 Noon – Planet Hollywood Resort 1 p.m. – Paris Las Vegas 2 p.m. – Bally’s Las Vegas 5 p.m. – Harrah’s Las Vegas 6 p.m. – Flamingo Las Vegas

February 14 2:30 p.m. – The LINQ Promenade

February 17 7 p.m. – Rio All-Suite Hotel

THE LINQ PROMENADE

• Opening Ceremonies. Kick off the celebrations and attend the opening ceremonies on Tuesday, February 9. Usher in the New Year with a ribbon cutting, live authentic dragon dance, an eye painting ceremony and performers dressed in elaborate costumes. Look out for these dances from 7-9 p.m. on Feb. 8-12 and 1-9 p.m. on Feb. 13-14.

• Dragon Dance and Cultural Performances. Throughout the entire week, guests can enjoy performances by various Asian entertainers on The LINQ Promenade Stage. Lohan School of Shaolin performs dragon dances nightly at 7 p.m.

• Culinary competitions. Chefs from Caesars Entertainment and Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Las Vegas show off live cooking demonstrations and artistic food carvings. One of the marquee events is an ice sculpting and fruit carving by Le Cordon Bleu on Feb. 10. Various Caesars chefs perform a noodle pulling and suckling pig demo on Friday, Feb. 12.

• Dance-4-a-Cause. On Saturday, Feb. 13, enjoy a live DJ and entertainment in this event, in collaboration with Fighting United. Thousands of local Zumba®, Hot Hula Fitness, U-Jam Fitness®, and MixxedFit® participants come together for the third annual Dance-4-a-Cause. Participants are asked to bring chapter books (Kindergarten-12th grade) to benefit Somerset Academy and Spread the Word Nevada. Expect a special guest appearance by a Lady Gaga impersonator from “Legends In Concert.”

• Wedding Ceremony. Las Vegas closes out the Lunar New Year celebration with a mass wedding ceremony where multiple couples will be married at the same time on Valentine’s Day, officiated by an Elvis impersonator from “Legends in Concert.” For more information on how to register please email info@fightingunited.com or call (702) 524-8318.

• Year of the Monkey merchandise. Get your own Vegas souvenir (including T-shirts, mugs, stuffed animals and keychains) starting February 1 at the High Roller’s Skyshop, The LINQ Hotel, Flamingo Las Vegas and Caesars Palace retail stores.

• Hunan Provincial Song & Dance Troupe. The Chinese Cultural Minister and Chinese Embassy have partnered to bring the Hunan performance group to Vegas for this special celebration. A popular theater troupe, the Hunan group performs staged shows and award-winning acts at events around the world. The group’s specialty ethnic and folk artist performances will undoubtedly wow the crowd daily from Feb. 9-14.

CAESARS PALACE

• Illuminated dragon display. As a legendary creature and good luck symbol, the dragon once again shines at The Forum Shops at Caesars. Standing at one foot high and 22 feet wide, the dragon is covered in 30,000 red and amber LED lights, flickering vibrantly on its perch behind gold and velvet fencing. It goes on display January 5 throughout the Chinese New Year celebratory season. Students from The Meadows School perform a traditional dragon parade around The Forum Shops on Feb. 8 with special guest Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman.

• Holiday deals. The Forum Shops at Caesars offers numerous celebratory specials and luxury shopping experiences from Feb. 8–14.

• Tsai Chin concert. Legendary pop and folk singer Tasi Chin graces the stage at The Colosseum for one night only, Feb. 12 at 10 p.m. “Tsai Chin: Chinese New Year Concert Vegas 2016” features a mixture of her signature Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese songs. Tickets are on sale now and range from $55-250, not including fees.

• Dining specials. Beijing Noodle No. 9 and the newly opened MR CHOW both feature impressive menus of Chinese cuisine in beautiful restaurant settings.