Gong Xi Fa Cai! That’s the traditional Chinese greeting for Chinese New Year. This year, the auspicious Lunar New Year falls on February 10 marking the Year of the Dragon. Observed across Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Vietnam, the festival is widespread and celebrations continue well until February 24 which marks the annual Lantern Festival. As always, multicultural Dubai isn’t one to be left behind with myriad dinners are serving ‘longevity noodles’, and colourful Lunar New Year parades with lion and dragon dances around town.
1. Go Kung Fu fighting at Motiongate Dubai
The Hollywood-inspired theme park is roaring right into the Year of the Dragon with a special show at the Kung Fu Academy (based on the Kung Fu Panda movies) in the park’s Dreamworks Zone. From February 9 to 11, the 20-minute show will let young Kung Fu fighters seek their inner Dragon Warriors (prepare to be humming the song all day) by overcoming a fun obstacle course. Foodies can slurp up on some delicious noodles and steamed dumplings at Mr. Ping’s Noodle Shop.
2. Grab a red envelope of luck at Shanghai ME’s
The DIFC restaurant is serving a “Dragon Unleashed” menu from February 7-22 in honour of Chinese New Year. Dig into Temari Dragon Rolls, Creamy Lobster Soup, Scallop Xiao Long Bao and many other items. The eatery is going all out for this year for the Lunar New Year with lantern-adorned trees where guests can hang wish cards, red and gold decor and special lion dances and personalised souvenirs by a Chinese calligrapher on February 10. Guests will also walk away with a traditional red envelope with special gifts and prizes.
From 7:30pm on February 10; call 04 564 0505
3. Eat traditional Cantonese delicacies at Shangri-La Dubai
Until February 8, Shang Palace, the renowned Cantonese restaurant is serving a soaring Dragon Platter menu for AED 188 per person. Hungry for more? Their celebratory set menu will be offered from February 9-16 for AED 288 per person with the festivities coming to a close with an epic Lantern Festival on February 24 and costs AED 288 per person.
4. Waterside views and lion dances at Zheng He’s
What better way to bring in the Year of the Dragon than with splendid views of the Madinat Jumeirah’s waterways? This Mina’ Salaam restaurant’s special set menu for Chinese New Year year serves up starters like braised chicken with mushroom soup. Mains include steamed seambass fillet with black ear mushrooms, black pepper har fun noodles, and dessert lineup features chilled sea coconut with longan in lemon syrup. On February 9 and 10 guests can see authentic lion dance performances and complete the cultural experience with traditional red envelopes being handed out. AED 288 per person
Available until February 10; from 12:30pm-10:30pm.Call 800 323 232
5. Binge on a Chinese buffet at Long Yin
The authentic Chinese restaurant at Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre will soar into the Year of the Dragon with a buffet on February 9 with live dragon performances. Watch Chef George prepare stir-fried noodles in front of the crowd and tuck into freshly served crispy Peking duck and other Chinese delicacies. Packages from AED 325 per person.
From 7pm-12am; call 04 702 2455 or visit the website.
6. Savour Chinese street food at Sui Mui
The Pan-Asian eatery in Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina has a special Chinese New Year menu from February 11-15. Gorge on a spread of street food favourites from around China sauch as Cantonese taro dumplings, Guangzhou fried rice, Hong Kong beef, stir fried ngo kuay and lots more. Dessert includes delicacies like stuffed black sesame dumpling and sticky rice with their toppings. From AED 195 per person.
From 7pm-10pm; call 04 511 7373
7. Trader Vic’s at Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah
The tiki bar chain gets a fiery dragon makeover for Chinese New Year. On February 10, they’re hosting a Chinese New Year-themed brunch with island bites, meat stations, sharing platters and free-flowing beverages. From AED 350 per person.
From 1pm to 4pm; call 4 230 0073
8. Maiden Shanghai, FIVE Palm Jumeirah
The Naughty Noodles brunch kicks at this rooftop restaurant on February 10 and 17. It’s going to be a spicy affair fit for a fire-breathing Dragon with dishes such as Boom Boom Chicken, Crispy Seafood Roll, assortment of dim sum, Kung Pao Prawns, Wild Mushroom with Smoked Chilli and some vibrant entertainment too. The venues getting a fresh revamp with new decor and performances for Chinese New Year Packages from AED 350 per person.
From 12.30pm – 4pm; book here
9. Watch a Face Changing Mask and Dragon Show at Hutong
This Hong Kong-born award-winning hotspot is blazing into the Lunar New Year with a theatrical menu. From February 9-11, guests can try out the Lobster Lao He (428 AED), the intricate Chinese New Year Dim Sum Platter (AED 228), a decadent Five Spices with Foie Gras (AED 198), the Flaming Peking Duck (AED 548), and a Cigar Signature Box (AED 88). On February 9, a DJ, a mesmerising Dragon Show, and a mystical Face Changing Mask put on some stellar entertainment. The following day on February 10, there’s a Chinese New Year brunch with live DJ beats, Dragon Shows, and live calligraphy.
10. Make dragon lanterns and watch Peking opera show at Dragon Mart
Ringing in the Year of the Dragon at Dragon Mart – does it get any more apt than this? The Chinese shopping mall hosts a ton of workshops and cultural performances until February 11 that reflect China’s rich heritage. You can get crafty at the Dragon Head Lantern Making Workshop, in the mall’s Main Hall from 12 pm to 8pm daily. Keep your eyes peeled for a Lion Dance and a Big Dragon Dance featuring a 42-metre-long sinuous dragon puppet moved by skilled performers in perfect rhythm to booming drums.
Skilled martial arts experts will flip and leap around during Dragon Kung Fu dances. And that’s not all, the Peking Opera Show – a historic form of Chinese performance bleding acting, singing and acrobatics – and the Umbrella Dance, a traditional folk dance from the Han Dynasty using silk umbrellas will be performed live on multiple dates and timings. Find details here.
11. Relish a Chinese New Year set menu at The Citronelle Club
The Citronelle Club in SO/ Uptown Dubai is hosting a special set menu for Chinese New Year from February 8-11. Blending floral elements with a dash of red, the menu combines Chinese ingredients with French flair in sharing-style starters of Caviar & Shrimp Roll, Norwegian Salmon and Impossible Swan Puff, main courses like Veal Rack with by apple fennel salad and creamy katsu sauce, ginger glazed Duck Breast. Diners will leave with traditional red lucky envelopes to ring in some prosperity and good luck! AED 888 per couple including beverage pairing. Call 00 421 0753
12. Have a Chinese High Tea at Palazzo Versace
Sampling all the tea in China might be a bit overambitious but you can attempt to savour the best of the nation’s infusions at the Chinese New Year high tea in Mosaico, the lobby lounge at Palazzo Versace. From February 8-10, the Chinese New Year-themed high tea will serve special delicacies and live performances of traditional Chinese entertainment. AED 360 for two people/ per stand.
13. Catch Chinese New Year parades and fireworks in Riverland
The tranquil Europe-themed streets of Riverland will come alive with colourful dragon and lion street performances and acrobatic shows throughout February. If you’re curious about who’s inside the giant lion and dragon masks, there are meet and greets with the performers to learn more about this traditional art form. The park’s daily laser show at will take place at 7:30pm; 8:30pm and 9:30pm. On Saturdays, look up at 9pm to catch the fireworks. Find timings and info here.
14. Build a LEGO dragon at Legoland
The Lego-centric theme park is going all out for Chinese New Year from February 9-18. Hundreds of lanterns will adorn Factory Street making it a perfect spot for festive pictures. You can leave your wishes on a giant wishing wall, participate in a lucky red envelope scavenger hunt, build your own LEGO Dragons as well as meet LEGOLAND characters such as Ollie, the Dragon. Find more details here .
15. Gift a collectors Chinese New Year tea from Newby
Whether you’re looking to give a gift or just treat yourself, Newby Teas’ has launched a festive red and gold Chinese New Year tea and caddy (container). Made from the finest quality Assam black tea, almond pieces, and natural almond flavouring, the limited-edition item makes for a striking yet auspicious present. AED 168, buy here.
16. Relish a Michelin-starred Chinese meal at Hakkasan
The Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant in Atlantis The Palm has introduced a special Chinese New Year menu from February 9-24. We hope you’ve mastered your chopstick grip – Hakkasan usually hosts the traditional lo hei prosperity toss as part of their Chinese New Year celebrations. This year, a seven-dish menu curated by Chef Andy Toh using traditional techniques and authentic flavours of China is the centrepiece. AED 788 per person
Call 04 426 0752 or visit Hakkasan’s website