Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration

Photo courtesy of Portland Chinese Museum

The Portland Chinese Museum is hosting its annual Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration in Downtown Portland.

Opened in December 2018, the Portland Chinatown Museum is Oregon’s first museum about to Chinese American history, art and culture. The museum is dedicated to honoring Portland’s Chinatown as well as hosting gallery space for contemporary Asian American artists in all media.

The museum also hosts an annual Lunar New Year celebration complete with a dragon dance parade.

2024 Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration

On Saturday, February 17, at 10 a.m., attend the eighth annual Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration. Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with a special parade through Portland.

A 150-foot dragon will be accompanied by lion dancers, Trailblazers Rip City Crew, performers and a lively community parade through Old Town, Downtown, and ending at the Oregon Historical Society Park Plaza.

Parade Schedule

From 10-11 a.m., the celebration kicks off at NW Third St. and Davis St. with the 150-foot dragon passing through the China Gate followed by lion dancers and performers.

From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the parade will make its way around Old Town Chinatown. The lion dance troupes will be performing plucking of the greens at select locations. This performance is a quest by the lion to pluck vegetables in a display of dance and cat-like curiosity. The dance is believed to bring good luck and fortune to the business.

During the hour, the parade will proceed up SW Third Ave. toward SW Jefferson and Park Street.

From 12:30-1 p.m., the parade will reach its final destination at the Oregon Historical Society Park Plaza.