Chinese New Year Festival brings culture to Boutwell

The annual Chinese New Year Festival returns to Boutwell Auditorium downtown for the 13th year, with a rich sampling of the 5,000-year-old Chinese culture Feb. 2 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The event — hosted by the Birmingham Chinese Festival Association — celebrates the Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, which occurs Feb. 5.

As always, the event will feature a variety of live entertainment, including opera, acrobats, drummers, magicians and folk music, according to Jianzhong Liu, current BCFA president.

Other entertainment typically offered at the event includes yoga, martial arts, lion and dragon dancing and traditional Chinese dancing. Organizers also typically include some performers from other cultures.

Traditional Chinese crafts are on display with character handwriting and paper sculpture. Local restaurants will serve traditional New Year’s foods, including beef, chicken and dim sum, and children can play Chinese games, while adults can enter a prize raffle.

Vendors will sell New Year decorations and children’s toys. Admission is $7 for adults and free for children ages 12 and under.

For more information, go to bhmchinesefestival.org.