The Year of the Dragon Begins!

The cold wet weather didn't stop revelers from celebrating the first day of the Lunar New Year in Chinatown today. The colors and sounds of this holiday are always a welcome reprieve from the winter gloom, so we strolled over from the Lower East Side to join the party and visit our neighbors.

Kids decked out in brightly colored costumes enjoyed the excitement, clapping along to the drums and throwing confetti.

A lion dance procession made its way through the neighborhood, accompanied by drums and cymbals. The brightly colored lions (often confused with dragons) visit local shops and restaurants to bring good luck in the year to come, taking offerings of money in red envelopes from proprietors.

Happy New Year to all--may the year of the Dragon be a great one!