New Year’s Day may have come and gone, yet for those from certain parts of Asia, there’s much more to celebrate this February as Lunar New Year marks the upcoming Year of the Dragon. Whether you’re of Asian descent or not, there are plenty of ways to revel in the occasion in Boston, beginning with a lion dance accompanied by drum and cymbal musicians at the Mandarin Oriental, Boston hotel in the Back Bay on February 10 from 2–2:30 p.m. On that same day beginning at 10 a.m., take the family over to the Lego Discovery Center Boston in Somerville's Assembly Row, where lion dances and sword, bo and nunchuck demonstrations accompany a preview celebration for the new Lego Ninjago exhibit. Then, at the Museum of Fine Arts on February 15 from 5–10 p.m., those who pay for a discounted admission can experience a slew of special activities and performances, including Chinese brush painting, martial arts demonstrations (pictured), a traditional Korean sebae ceremony, dance and music from both Korea and Vietnam, and much more. Head to Chinatown on February 18 for the annual Chinese New Year Lion Dance Parade, which begins at 10 a.m. and offers a feast for the senses, from food, music and dance to martial arts showcases and colorful decorations. Nearby, the Pao Arts Center has its own slate of fun planned from 11 a.m.–3 p.m., including interactive workshops and a variety of performances for all ages that are sure to make for an auspicious start to the next 12 months.
