Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration

Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration
Saturday, February 8th, 2025
10:00am - 4:00pm
Parade kick-off at 1:00pm - Argyle & Sheridan
RSVP for FREE for a chance to win prizes from Argyle businesses!

Join Uptown United and the local business, non-profit, and cultural organizations on Argyle Street in 2025 as we continue the annual tradition going back 40+ years of celebrating the Lunar New Year along the Argyle commercial corridor in Uptown! To welcome the Year of the Snake, we’ll be hosting the Lunar New Year Parade on Saturday February 8th (kick-off at 1:00pm sharp at Argyle & Sheridan) featuring 20+ local community groups, cultural institutions, dancers and performers! In addition, a number of local organizations are planning pop-ups with family-friendly activities between 10:00am-4:00pm. More details TBA.

RSVP for FREE for a chance to win prizes from Argyle businesses!

Volunteers needed! Click here for more details and to sign-up.

For details on parking restrictions and road closures, please click here .

If you would like to support this free event, along with our other free Uptown community events throughout the year, by making a tax-deductible donation to Uptown United, please click here!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

YEAR OF THE SNAKE REPTILE DISPLAY
10:00am - 4:00pm
5000 N. Sheridan (vacant storefront at Argyle & Sheridan)
FREE

Join FrogLady Presentations for an unforgettable experience at their live reptile and amphibian display! Dive into the fascinating world of these remarkable creatures as they showcase a stunning collection of frogs, salamanders (including the popular axolotl), lizards and tortoises. In honor of the Year of the Snake, this exhibit will also feature a unique opportunity to see and learn about several incredible snake species, and those who wish will even have the opportunity for a hands-on experience with a live snake ambassador. Celebrate the Lunar New Year by fostering a deeper appreciation for these often misunderstood creatures and discover nature in a whole new way with this unique experience!

LUNAR NEW YEAR STORIES AND CRAFTS
Two Sessions starting at 10:30am and 11:30am
Bezazian Library, 1226 W. Ainslie St.
FREE

Celebrate the Year of the Snake with Lunar New Year-themed stories and a simple craft in advance of the Uptown Lunar New parade. For kids 3 and up. This program is being offered twice to accommodate room capacity. Please attend either the 10:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. program.

TimeLine Theatre - Year of the Snake Exhibit
11:00am - 4:00pm
CMAA, 1016 W. Argyle St.
FREE

Join TimeLine Theatre and the Heritage Museum of Asian Art at CMAA for a journey through the historical highlights of past years of the Snake—with dramaturgy by artist Irene Hsiao—and reflect on the upcoming Lunar New Year through the lens of the past. While you peruse the exhibit, visitors of all ages can join in our community art project—a snake of our own creation—for collective intention-setting. Plus, learn more about TimeLine’s future new home in Uptown! Envisioned as far more than a theatre, this new neighborhood facility will be a welcoming gathering space for entertainment, education, and community engagement.

MINISO GRAND OPENING
11:00am
5004-5006 N. Broadway

Join MINISO for their ribbon-cutting at 11:00am! Special discount offer of 20% off to the first 50 customers, as well as 10% off for the entire grand opening weekend. MINISO is a global retail brand known for its toys, plushies, collectible blind box toys, stationery, beauty essentials, home goods, fragrances, electronics, and snacks. The brand's collaborations with iconic names like Sanrio, Disney, Minions, Harry Potter, Chiikawa, Care Bears, Peanuts, Barbie, We Bare Bears, and Pixar, and many more contribute to its widespread appeal. With over 250 stores across the United States and 6,000 locations globally, MINISO delivers a shopping experience that appeals to all demographics.

Argyle Community Healing & Placekeeping Project
Lunar New Year at Qideas & HAIBAYÔ
11:00am - 4:00pm
1132-1134 W. Argyle
FREE

Join Qideas & HAIBAYÔ as they welcome the year of the Wood Snake! As part of the Argyle Community Healing & Placekeeping Project, HAIBAYÔ is collaborating with Qideas Plant Shop to host an immersive, educational botanical and flower installation and exhibit. Ăn Chơi Kitchen will host a Lunar New Year Food Talk and tasting. Join us as we ring in the new year!

Qideas Plant Shop - Botanical & Flower Installation & Exhibit

Bánh chưng + Bánh tét - Vietnamese LNY Rice Cakes

Ăn Chơi Kitchen - Lunar New Year Food Talk & Tasting

Lunar New Year Wishing Tree

ARGYLE LUNAR NEW YEAR PARADE
Parade steps off at 1:00 PM
Argyle & Sheridan - new route this year!
FREE

To welcome the Year of the Snake, we’ll be hosting the Lunar New Year Parade on Saturday February 8th (kick-off at 1:00pm sharp at Argyle & Sheridan) featuring local community groups, cultural institutions, dancers and performers!
Parade will kick-off at 1:00pm from Argyle & Sheridan, move west on Argyle and north on Broadway ending at Broadway/Winona. NOTE: parade route may change due to CTA construction work in the area.

POST PARADE PERFORMANCES
1:45pm - 2:30pm
Corner of Argyle & Winthrop
FREE

Join us at the intersection of Argyle & Winthrop once the parade ends for performances by local groups including the CMAA youth dancers (lion & lotus), Swift Elementary, and Hoang Phuc Lion Dance Association.

SUPPORT LOCAL ARGYLE BUSINESSES:
Starting Thursday, February 6th, you can pick up a free Lucky Red Envelope with a complimentary Year of the Snake sticker at select businesses (locations TBA)! PLUS….inside just a few of these envelopes will also be a Lucky Golden Ticket good for a special Year of the Snake gift from Uptown United and other prizes.

ADDITIONAL UPTOWN LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS:

South-East Asia Center Lunar New Year Celebration
Saturday February 1st, 11:30am
Furama Restaurant, 4936 N. Broadway

CMAA Lunar New Year Celebration
Saturday February 8th, 10:00am-12:00pm
St. Augustine College, 1345 W. Argyle St.

Vietnamese Association of Illinois Lunar New Year Celebration
Saturday February 15th, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Furama Restaurant, 4936 N. Broadway