Release Date: January 31,2022

Lunar New Year Celebration Coming to Downtown Akron

January 31, 2022, Akron, Ohio — Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP), in conjunction with Lock 3, Asian Services in Action (ASIA, Inc.), the University of Akron, Ka'Ren Community of Akron, and other organizations will present a celebration of Lunar New Year on Saturday, February 5 in Lock 3, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The celebration will feature fireworks at 7 p.m., traditional celebratory performances, a Chinese Dragon Dance, a Chinese Face Changer, Red envelope giveaways, and more. The event is free and open to all. Details can be found at downtownakron.com/lunar-new-year.

“The Lunar New Year festival is a beautiful and meaningful celebration in Chinese as well as many Asian cultures, and we want to celebrate this time of year with the members of our community, when downtown Akron is still sparkling with winter lights, while also looking forward to the renewal of spring,” said DAP Communications Director Dominic Caruso.

Lock 3 will be decorated in red and gold to reflect the start of the Year of the Tiger. Additionally, the ice skating rink will be decked out in red and gold lights for a festive skate opportunity. Traditionally on New Year’s Day, family members give one another red envelopes containing small amounts of money. Following this tradition, DAP and Lock 3 are coordinating Red Envelope giveaways that will contain coupons to downtown businesses. Downtown restaurants will also offer Lunar New Year specials during the celebration. A list of participating businesses as well as a full schedule of events will be made available at downtownakron.com/lunar-new-year.

"We're encouraging visitors to come downtown, have dinner, and enjoy the fireworks and festivities," Caruso said.

Lunar New Year is typically celebrated in Asian countries during the first new moon of the lunar calendar, and ends 15 days later on the first full moon of the calendar. Dates of the celebration vary from year to year, usually falling between January 21 and February 20.

The Lunar New Year celebration is presented with support from the Knight Foundation, the City of Akron, ASIA, Inc., the Karen Community of Akron, The University of Akron, Akron Public Schools, Civic Youth Innovation Engagement, Akron Community Foundation, GAR Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, Akron Civic Commons, and the business community of downtown Akron.