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Lunar New Year Events and Activities in NYC ~   Eventos y actividades del Año Nuevo Lunar en Nueva York

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Lunar New Year Events and Activities in NYC ~   Eventos y actividades del Año Nuevo Lunar en Nueva York

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Lunar New Year is one of our favorite winter celebrations in New York City, and we're particularly excited for the 2020 festivities ushering in the Year of the Rat.

Often referred to as Chinese New Year, many Asian nations celebrate Lunar New Year, and city kids can mark this cultural holiday with family-friendly celebrations throughout the five boroughs. The holiday provides an awesome opportunity to get out and explore a new-to-you neighborhood such as Koreatown and Chinatown in Manhattan, Flushing in Queens, and Sunset Park in Brooklyn.

So, grab your MetroCard and an appetite for adventure, then plan your perfect Lunar New Year celebration with these festive parades, entertaining live dance performances, museum events, crafts, and more.

Click through to the event listing for all the details, including addresses, times, prices, and recommended ages.

Lunar New Year Parades

Queens Lunar New Year Parade and Celebration - Flushing, Queens
Saturday, January 25
Since Flushing is home to a large community of Chinese and East Asian residents, it's no wonder its parade rivals Chinatown's. Expect dragon dancers, steel drummers, firecrackers, and crowds. FREE

RELATED: Enjoy a Lunar New Year Feast at These NYC Chinese Restaurants

Lunar New Year Celebrations in Manhattan

RELATED: Museum of Chinese in America: A Fascinating Look at the Immigrant Experience

Catch the dragon dance at the Asia Society. Photo courtesy of the Asia Society

Moon Over Manhattan! Celebrate Lunar New Year - Upper East Side
Saturday, February 1
Check out the Asia Society's celebration for a lion dance, kung fu demos, and other activities inspired by Lunar New Year. A Rabbit Days and Dumplings performance shares music from throughout Asia.

Madison Avenue Lunar New Year Celebration - Upper East Side
Saturday, February 1
Madison Avenue installs a traditional wishing tree on the street. Pin a ribbon with your wish to receive a red envelope, which contains a gift certificate from participating retailers. One lucky participant wins a cash prize! FREE but advance registration requested.

Lunar New Year Family Festival - Chinatown
Saturday, February 1
Head to the Museum of Chinese in America for its annual fete featuring zodiac-themed arts and crafts, live dance performances, tales inspired by Chinese and Chinese American experiences, and more. Included with museum admission, but advance purchase recommended.

Chinese New Year Celebration: The Year of the Rat- Financial District
Sunday, February 2
Head to the China Institute for workshops on dumpling- and lantern-making, interactive storytelling, kid-friendly tours of the galleries, and food. There are lion dance and musical performances, too. Admission is FREE, but some workshops require advance registration and a fee.

Lunar New Year Celebrations in Queens

RELATED: 25 Things to Do, See, and Eat in Chinatown With Kids

Chinese New Year Temple Bazaar - Flushing
Saturday, February 1
Visit Flushing Town Hall to partake in a centuries-old Lunar New Year tradition: the temple fair. Families can enjoy performances, view martial arts demonstrations, and sample traditional foods. Two timed sessions are planned, but advance purchase recommended.

Celebrate the Year of the Rat - Flushing
Saturday, February 15
Head to the Flushing branch of the Queens Library to see Chinese folk music, dance, and traditional opera. Kids can also participate in traditional Chinese crafts and help make (and eat!) some tasty Korean dishes. If this one doesn't fit your schedule, several Queens Library branches have Lunar New Year's events throughout the month. FREE

Lunar New Year Celebrations in Brooklyn & Staten Island

Lunar New Year at the Staten Island Museum - Snug Harbor, Staten Island
Saturday, January 25
Say hello to the Year of the Rat at the Staten Island Museum. Presented in conjunction with the Korean Community Development Center, the celebration includes arts and crafts, a look at traditional Korean clothing, games, traditional eats, and more.

Brooklyn Children's Museum's Lunar New Year Festival - Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Sunday, January 26
BCM hosts this Lunar New Year fest where kids get to meet author Michele Wong McSween and hear her read her new book, Gordon & Li Li: Celebrate Chinese New Year. There are craft projects and plenty of Chinese culture. The event culminates with a parade through the museum with the Chinatown Young Lions.

Find additional Lunar New Year celebrations in our Event Calendar.
This post, originally published in January 2009, is updated annually.

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Chinese Lunar New Year Parades and Celebrations for NYC Kids - Mommy Poppins - Things to Do with Kids

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Lunar New Year is one of our favorite winter celebrations in New York City, and we're particularly excited for the 2020 festivities ushering in the Year of the Rat. Often referred to as Chinese New Year, many Asian nations celebrate Lunar New Year, and city kids can mark this cultural holiday with family-friendly celebrations throughout the five boroughs.

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This #BlackHistoryMonth we'll make sure to elevate the voices of Black disability leaders and continue to #shareBlackstories of those "incredible advocates who are too often left out of the retelling...

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Lunar New Year's Celebration: Korea vs. China vs. Vietnam

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Celebrating Dominican Independence Day in a New Way
The children put on their national colors to celebrate Independence Day
Marzo 9, 2009 - República Dominicana

In the Dominican Republic, the month of February is known as "Patriotism Month" beginning on January 26, commemorating the birth of Juan Pablo Duarte, a national hero, and ending on February 27 with Independence Day. It's a month to celebrate Dominican heritage, heroes, history, and culture. One of the most common celebrations is the Carnaval, the most famous one takes place in the northern city of La Vega, and every Sunday during February, the streets are lined with people eager to see the festive and creative customs paraded on by traditional Carnaval characters. Other traditional celebrations are the community marches that take place on Independence Day.

The children at NPH celebrated "Patriotism Month" by participating in a student march held in the nearby town of San Pedro de Macoris. Preparations for the march began in the beginning of February in which 50 students from 3rd-7th grade practiced marching on the school's playground. The older pequeños, who attend a private high school in San Pedro, also participated in the march together with students from their school. Though Dominican children around the country accustom participating in these yearly community marches to celebrate Independence Day, this is the first year that NPH children participated in such an activity outside of NPH grounds.

On the morning of February 27, the pequeños that would be participating in the march prepared for their big day—they waited their turn as NPH volunteers painted the children's faces with the colors of the Dominican flag. Once in San Pedro, they joined the hundreds of other students from different schools in the region, marching through the streets of town. Each school paraded in different uniforms, some performing dances, others playing instruments, and others chanting cheers for the crowd. NPH students led the group proudly displaying the NPH school flag and Dominican flag. They were accompanied by a marching band, which brought joy and excitement to the participants and onlookers. Most of the children wore their school uniforms except for those chosen to dress up as the nation's founding fathers (Duarte, Mella, and Sanchez) and those dressed as soldiers in traditional wear of the time when the country gained its independence in 1844. The students also carried 16 different representations of the Dominican flag's code of arms which showed how it has changed over the years. Orlando, NPH school principal, said that due to such a positive response expressed by both children and spectators, NPH students will continue participating in these Independence Day community marches. Being part of such a celebration is important for the children in feeling pride in representing their NPH family as well as pride of being part of a larger Dominican family.

Megan Palacios
Home Correspondent

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Celebrating Dominican Independence Day in a New Way | NPH International

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The children put on their national colors to celebrate Independence Day Marzo 9, 2009 - República Dominicana In the Dominican Republic, the month of February is known as "Patriotism Month" beginning on January 26, commemorating the birth of Juan Pablo Duarte, a national hero, and ending on February 27 with Independence Day.

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Lunar New Year for Kids | 2025 Year of the Snake | Chinese New Year

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"The Race for the Chinese Zodiac" in American Sign Language

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As Purim approaches, we begin to think about the themes of the holiday such as antisemitism, identity, and the choices that the characters in Megillat Esther made to ensure the survival of the Jewish people.

The story of Purim is a story that takes place in the balance between fate and agency.

On one hand, the pur (the lottery) was a deciding factor in the destruction of the Persian Jewish community, while on the other, proactive human behavior was needed to save the day. When Mordechai tells Esther that the fate of the Jews has been decided, and that she must intervene, her initial reaction is to tell him that there is nothing she can do as the King has not called for her and she cannot approach him without an invitation. But then Mordechai suggests that it was for just this moment that she became queen, וּמִ֣י יוֹדֵ֔עַ אִם־לְעֵ֣ת כָּזֹ֔את הִגַּ֖עַתְּ לַמַּלְכֽוּת, and she gathers the strength necessary to act.

In the Ethics of the Fathers it is written that there is no one that does not have his/her hour- אֵין לְךָ אָדָם שֶׁאֵין לוֹ שָׁעָה. This was Esther's hour, and she is celebrated for her actions that brought about the salvation of the Jews of Persia. We encourage you to explore the themes of choosing to participate through a reading found in the final chapter of our Holocaust and Human Behavior resource. Finding a Voice in Art is about the women of Chile who created a movement to challenge the Pinochet dictatorship, reminiscent of the women who fasted with Esther for three days before she approached Achashverosh, the King. We all have an hour in which we have the strength and the resources to act for positive change, and when we unify as a group our power increases.

Purim is also a time when we think about hidden identities.

Esther's name comes from the Hebrew word le'hastir or to hide. She changes her name from Hadassah to Esther in order to take on a Persian identity, masking her identity as a Jew. This eventually allows her to play the leading role in saving her own people. The Chilean women in the reading, in a clandestine revolution, stitched together that told the hidden story of the disappeared victims of Pinochet. For younger students, making a mask is a good activity to explore the idea of hidden identities. Our lesson about making masks centers around Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem, We Wear the Mask and the retold and adapted poem, The Mask by Maya Angelou.

Chag Sameach.

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Exploring Purim Through Facing History Resources in Your Classroom

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As Purim approaches, we begin to think about the themes of the holiday such as antisemitism, identity, and the choices that the characters in Megillat Esther made to ensure the survival of the Jewish people. The story of Purim is a story that takes place in the balance between fate and agency.

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The Meaning Behind 5 of the Most Popular Purim Traditions

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Purim starts Wednesday night - here's the meaning behind the most popular Purim traditions, from gift baskets to hamentaschen.

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Purim is a Jewish festival that has its roots in the biblical story of Esther. The celebration commemorates Queen Esther and her boldness, which saved the Hebrew people from Haman's plan to eliminate them.
You may also enjoy our lists of Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Hanukkah books!
I have been familiar with Esther's story for most of my life, but knew very little about how Jewish people celebrate Purim today. So, I did what I usually do in these situations: I grabbed my crew and headed to the library! We found some excellent children's books about Purim.

These books are wonderful choices both for families that celebrate Purim and those looking to learn more about how Purim is observed. We loved these children's books about Purim, and I hope your family does, too.

11 Children's Books About Purim

Book links are Amazon referral links.

Sammy is so excited to help Josh celebrate Purim. However, when he gets stuck in a grogger, it seems as though his holiday won't be a happy one! This book highlights many elements of the Purim celebration, and kids will love the bright, happy illustrations.

We love the Sammy Spider series, and I recommend sharing it with kids ages 3 and up.

Get it on IndieBound | Get it on Amazon

Nate is looking forward to his synagogue's Purim celebration, and he really wants to dress up like an alien. However, all of his friends are dressing as superheroes. He's torn between doing what he wants and fitting in with his friends. With the help of his dads, he makes a decision that is right for him.

This book is perfect for sharing with kids ages 4 and up.

Get it on IndieBound | Get it on Amazon

When Talia's Grandma says they are going to make hamantaschen, Talia is grossed out; she thought Grandma said haman-tushie! As the two bake together, Grandma explains the story of Purim and Talia learns more about her heritage.

This sweet story is perfect for preschoolers!

Get it on IndieBound | Get it on Amazon

This rhyming tale is a retelling of the story of Queen Esther, in simple language that children can understand. If your family is interested in the religious background of Purim, this book is a great place to start.

I recommend sharing this book with kids ages 5 and up.

Get it on IndieBound | Get it on Amazon

Even the littlest readers can in on the fun of Purim! This board book features the various elements of the Purim celebration, punctuated with the refrain that, "Purim is coming!"

This selection is great for babies and toddlers, but preschoolers will enjoy it, too.

Get it on IndieBound | Get it on Amazon

The barnyard animals are putting on a Purim play! When the star of the show, Quack the Duck, goes missing, it's up to Cluck the Hen to be brave like Esther and save the day. This fun and engaging story about courage is something all kids will relate to, no matter their faith.

I recommend sharing this book with kids ages 3 and up.

Get it on IndieBound | Get it on Amazon

How can you tell that Purim is coming? This rhyming story introduces readers to key elements of Purim, like the hamantaschen, the Megillah, and the traditional costumes. It's part of an excellent series that introduces kids to Jewish holidays.

This story is perfect for reading with kid ages 3 and up.

Get it on IndieBound | Get it on Amazon

As the only visually-impaired person in his village, Herschel is sad that he misses out on many elements of the Purim celebration. More than anything, he wants to be able to help his mother prepare the hamantaschen. An angel visits him in a dream and encourages him to make what he sees, and when he does, the results are beautiful.

This moving story is excellent for sharing with kids ages 4 and up.

Get it on IndieBound | Get it on Amazon

Little Bear wakes up from his long winter nap and heads out to find some food. He's drawn to a Purim celebration, where the people assume he is simply a child in a bear costume! A little boy suspects that Little Bear might be more than a person in a costume, but everyone else is having too much fun to pay attention.

This super funny story is great for children ages 3 and up.

Get it on IndieBound | Get it on Amazon

Frannie and Ezra look forward to their family's Purim play every year. But when two of their cousins wind up with the flu, they wonder if they'll have to miss out on this special tradition. Their elderly neighbor saves the day in a way they could've never imagined!

I recommend sharing this Purim book with kids ages 4 and up.

Get it on IndieBound | Get it on Amazon

When Farmer Max heads out to a Purim play, he leaves the animals behind. So, they decide to put on their own play! Everyone gets busy preparing for their roles, but when an actual dangerous enemy arrives on the scene, Duck must summon all her courage like Queen Esther did. Can she save the day?

This is a super fun Purim book for kids that is great for ages 4 and up.

Get it on IndieBound | Get it on Amazon

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11 Children's Books About Purim | Feminist Books for Kids

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Purim is a Jewish festival that has its roots in the biblical story of Esther. The celebration commemorates Queen Esther and her boldness, which saved the Hebrew people from Haman's plan to eliminate them. You may also enjoy our lists of Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Hanukkah books!

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Aruban Carnival

Our Carnival is a high-energy month-long celebration of pageants, music competitions, street parties and spectacular parades, delighting and uniting the entire country. All year long, locals look forward to the catchy road march and calypso tunes, the throbbing sound trucks, the glittering costumes, the magnificent floats, the Carnival queen coronations and the hip-shaking madness. Wanna join us? We'd love it if you joined in any of our exciting Aruba Carnival events!

Carnival is celebrated in many countries around the world as a festival to usher in Lent, but this is how it all began in Aruba: Carnival was born in 1954 as a series of small street festivals. The Tivoli Club, Aruba's oldest private social club, was the first to have a celebration before the start of Lent in Oranjestad in February 1944. The Allied victory of World War II was commemorated by a large parade in San Nicolas, comprised largely of Caribbean-English immigrants who came to Aruba to work at the Lago Oil Refinery. The first steel and brass bands debuted a few years later and small parades sprouted here and there.

In 1955, various clubs and districts were brought together for the first public Aruba Carnival with the first official Carnival queen. The traditional Grand Parades were organised in 1957. On November 11, 1966 (11.11.66), at 11:11 am, Stichting Arubaanse Carnaval, the Carnival organisational body, was founded. Every year the Carnival season officially begins at this precise moment. Ever since 1981, Tivoli has produced the Lighting Parade, a twinkling nighttime extravaganza.

As well as the Lighting Parade, thousands of participants and spectators enjoy Children's Parades, the Jouvert Morning Pyjama Party, the Grand Carnival Parade in San Nicolas and the exciting finale - the Grand Carnival Parade in Oranjestad. The midnight burning of King Momo, a life-sized effigy, signals the end of the Aruba Carnival season on Shrove Tuesday, the day just before Ash Wednesday. This tradition symbolises the burning of the Spirit of Carnival, who will rise again when the next season starts - and with it, a whole new round of partying!

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Aruba Carnival | History and Details About Carnival in Aruba

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Our Carnival is a high-energy month-long celebration of pageants, music competitions, street parties and spectacular parades, delighting and uniting the entire country. All year long, locals look forward to the catchy road march and calypso tunes, the throbbing sound trucks, the glittering costumes, the magnificent floats, the Carnival queen coronations and the hip-shaking madness.

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It's the main festivity in Brazil which earned the distinction of being "The Greatest Show on Earth." The Rio Carnival starts on Friday until Tuesday or just a day shy of Ash Wednesday, a significant Catholic tradition which signal the start of Lent. If you really want to understand the question what is Carnival, head off to the Sambodromo particularly on Carnival Sunday and Monday to experience first-hand why this annual tradition is visited by millions of people from all the part of the world.

What is Carnival Without the Samba?

Prior to the construction of the Sambodromo , the top samba schools go around the streets of Rio to perform the samba. But this all changed when Rio officials and organizers realized that a change is in order.

The objective is two-fold: first is the need to build a facility for the comfort of the tourists, second is the potential revenue through tickets. In 1984, the Sambodromo was completed and almost immediately, the parade registered an increase in participants and spectators.

The stadium can sit more than 80,000 visitors as well as accommodate 5,000 participants through the wide Marquês de Sapucaí Avenue. Now, what is Carnival without the samba parade ? You can feel the resonance of the drums, cymbals and trumpets echo through the Sambodromo and brim over to the streets.

Riotur

The Carnival is celebrated five days preceding Ash Wednesday, which is the start of Lent in the Catholic calendar. At the heart of the Carnival is the samba, which is the perfect illustration of the Afro-European blend that defines Brazil culture.

The top samba schools get the honor of performing in front of millions at the Sambodromo . It's obvious by watching the performances at the Sambodromo the amount of preparation that goes into each dance step, the choice of song and the selection of dancers to represent each school.

There's a panel of around 40 judges who sit at key points throughout the stadium watching every nuance of movement, appraising the thread and sequin of each costume, the significance of the song, the integrity to the samba. The energy is palpable throughout the stadium that spectators are known to dance along with the participants. The judges will announce the champion on Ash Wednesday.

Buy HERE your Rio Carnival Tickets

What is Carnival Without the Costumes?

The exotic nature and sensuality of the samba is only enhanced by the flashy costumes of the participants. But these costumes are not chosen because of aesthetics but rather they form part of the story.

While the spectators only see the different pigments and designs of the costumes, the significance of each garb is not lost on the judges. That's why the samba schools give particular attention to the type of costume they will display. The preparation and decision-making process take months. Tracing the Carnival's origins to the European masquerades, the visitors are also encouraged to bring their own costumes to feel the spirit of Carnival.

What is Carnival Without the samba schools ?

The Carnival wouldn't have experienced the type of success it enjoys today without the stiff competition among the samba schools .

These schools just started from street bands which developed into groups and clubs then associations before they became the samba schools of today. Each school has a close relationship with the host community mainly because the samba schools help support the poor sectors in its surrounding areas.

The community provides the labor to build the floats, sew the costumes, logistical support and even as security enforcers to ensure the safety of the dancers.

While the competition among schools remains stiff, they nevertheless never forget what the Carnival is about.

What is Carnival Without the Economic Benefits?

The Carnival is still a commercial endeavor. It's a multi-million dollar industry when you consider at least a million foreign visitors flocking to witness the event and the ripple effect to the economy, such as the number of indirect jobs created for example. The tickets at the Sambodromo always sell like hotcakes weeks and even months prior to the Carnival.

Ramon Moreira | Bookers International

Imagine the cutthroat bidding since the stadium can only seat 80,000 people. You can bookmark the ticket seller's website and visit every now and then to make sure you can purchase the tickets. Ask your agent what's the best seat in the house and determine if the price within your budget range.

The ticket cost varies from where you are seated. Beyond the walls of the Sambodromo , there are a number of parties or balls held at hotels and restaurants like the Copacobana Beach Hotel or the gay or costume balls at Scala. If you are under budget, however, you can join the street bands by bringing your costume along with you. Some samba schools also open their doors to tourists as long as you buy a shirt signifying what school you represent.

What is Carnival Without the dazzling balls?

It is only during the Carnival where every inch of Brazil, and Rio in particular, screams party.

The partying starts a day before the formal launch of the Carnival until a day after the festivity formally ends. If you can manage to secure a ticket for the glamorous parties, such as the Magic Ball in Copacabana Palace Hotel, don't be surprised that you will be rubbing elbows with the celebrities and the wealthy.

Rezendeluan | iStock.com

What is Carnival Without the Best Street Parties ?

The Best Street Parties are organized by street groups called 'blocos.' It's virtually impossible to turn a corner without bumping into another Best Street Parties . Here you will find a large crowd milling and dancing to the tune of samba.

A Best Street Parties begins as a small group of people congregate on a predetermined location. The crowd then marches through the streets and gather more and more people along the way.

The most sought-after Best Street Parties are those organized by Simpatia é Quase, which is wholesome enough that you won't be afraid to take along your kids. For the more risqué crowd, there's the Blocos and Bandas de Ipanema neighborhood which still remains the preferred bands for gays. The beauty of these bands is that they compose their own songs and choreograph their own movements; that means no two parties are the same.

Dabldy | Stock.com

These parties start three months before the official kickoff of the festival in March. Aside from the more formal balls hosted by hotels and top establishments, there are also Best Street Parties which feature the who's who in Rio politics, entertainment and business industries.

For example, there's the "Estica do Flamengo neighborhood " which you can find in one of Rio's most well-known communities that bear the same name. The Barbas party is popular because the revelers are soaked in water by fire trucks when the temperature proves too humid.

The "hose-down" sometimes continue on through the night. The upscale district of Leblon neighborhood also features parties that incorporate its famous beaches into the theme. The Downtown neighborhood , meanwhile, attracts the younger crowd.

What is Carnival Without Experiencing the Other Side of Rio?

It would be a shame to go to Rio with the plan drinking the whole time you are there. For the city has more to offer than the Carnival.

A trip to Rio wouldn't be complete without dip on its famous beaches, a hike to Sugarloaf mountain or the Christ the Redeemer statue, which is now considered among the world's modern marvels. Schedule a tour with your agent so you can soak in the sights and sounds of the local people and culture.

The Carnival is Not Only for Adults

Perhaps one of the most common misconceptions about the Carnival is that it's too racy for children. True, the television is a brutal medium because it fails to provide a context. Lately, organizers have clamped down on too much nudity although some dancers push this rule to the limit by exposing skin.

Fernando Grilli | Riotur

Although some men may balk at that notion thinking that "what is Carnival without the nudity?" Suffice to say, it's safe to bring you own kids to see the Carnival. The Sambodromo even hosts the Children's Parade where kids and teens showcase their talents in the samba. It's always good for your kids to expand their horizons by experiencing other cultures.

What is Carnival Without Dipping on the Beaches?

While Copacobana and Ipanema neighborhood have become bywords for beautiful beaches after they were made famous through pop songs, there are still several untouched beaches in Rio that can compete with the world's best. There is something for everyone when you visit these beaches. The verdant mountains and the scenic landscape make up for a delicious eye-candy.

Not to mention the number of stunning women in bikinis, particularly in Ipanema neighborhood . Take heed, however, just because they are wearing the skimpiest bikini doesn't mean it's okay for you to gawk. Just like in most cultures, it's considered rude to stare. You can relax in these beaches with your tropical drink such as Brazil's national cocktail, the caipirinha. If you are into sports, you can join the locals in playing soccer, Frisbee, or volleyball.

You can also learn to surf or just lounge around with your kids, building sandcastles or just let your imaginations run free. Without meaning to do it, you will simply adopt the carioca quality of living in the moment. The other beaches frequented by locals are Leme, Beach of Barra da Tijuca , Prainha and the upscale Leblon neighborhood . Surfers, meanwhile, prefer the Arpoador because of its strong waves.

What is Carnival if You Are Not There?

The Carnival is one of the more popular tourist destinations in the world. It's a multi-million dollar industry that involves each sector from all walks of life. It's best to make your reservations early to get the best deals from hotels, airlines and tickets. The Carnival is one of the world's biggest attractions, but it will remain conceptual if you are not there to experience it. After all, what is Carnival but a week-long party?
Buy HERE your Rio Carnival Tickets

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What is Carnival | Rio Carnival | RioCarnaval.org

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It's the main festivity in Brazil which earned the distinction of being "The Greatest Show on Earth." The Rio Carnival starts on Friday until Tuesday or just a day shy of Ash Wednesday, a significant Catholic tradition which signal the start of Lent.

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Carnival. That party that happens before Lent every year, with places like Rio de Janeiro or maybe Venice coming to mind. Images of lithe, bronzed women in sparkly costumes and huge feathered headdresses or intricate masks and elaborate gowns and suits.

But the truth is that Carnival is celebrated across the Caribbean, and in a number of places around the world. While New Orleans's Mardi Gras is perhaps the most widely known version in the United States, Ponce, Puerto Rico's second largest city, is also known for its Carnaval, known as Carnaval Ponceño.

Background on Carnaval in Ponce

Ponce's celebration is an annual one that begins each year a week before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent or the 40 days before Easter. Christians, Catholics in particular, observe Lent by fasting, prayer, repenting and atoning. These Carnival celebrations are seen as a last chance for excess before the somber and subdued Lenten period.

While there are no official documents that indicate when the Carnaval de Ponce began, there are accounts of a celebration in 1858, which included a masked dance that was started by José de la Guardia, a Spanish man. The masquerade continued each year and was officially added as a parade in the 1950s.

Vejigantes: a Ponceño Carnaval Tradition

One week before Ash Wednesday, Carnaval Ponceño kicks off with the Vejigantes' Party. The vejigantes have their origins in folklore, and started off as representations of the Moors who were defeated by St. James in the 12th century.

They have since evolved in the depictions of demons, meant to scare people back to church and have incorporated the African and Taíno influences. Their costumes include masks and lots of fabric around the back and arms that is meant to simulate wings, similar to a bat. They carry around what were traditionally inflated animal bladders, but according to one vejigante are papier-mâché now, which are used to playfully bop attendees of the celebration.

Weeklong Celebration in Ponce

The week's celebration continues on Thursday with King Momo's Entrance Parade. Each Carnival around the world has a King Momo, who is traditionally a tall, fat man in flamboyant and colorful clothing. It seems that in Ponce, King Momo is represented by a bigheaded doll.

On Friday and Saturday the Child Queen and Adult Queen are crowned, respectively. The queens ride on floats in the parade on Sunday and sit on the stage during the musical performances during Monday's Ball Dance in the main plaza.

Finally, on Tuesday, there is the ceremonial Burial of the Sardine. It's not an actual fish that is honored, but rather a dummy is placed in a coffin, paraded around and at the end of the celebration, the coffin and dummy are burned, which symbolizes the burning of the sins and wrongdoings of the past. This is a symbolic way of letting all of the excesses that have been celebrated and enjoyed for the past week go and to officially begin the somber and repentant period of Lent, when the costumes are put away until the next year.

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Celebrating Carnaval in Ponce, Puerto Rico | Christine Bedenis

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Carnival. That party that happens before Lent every year, with places like Rio de Janeiro or maybe Venice coming to mind. Images of lithe, bronzed women in sparkly costumes and huge feathered headdresses or intricate masks and elaborate gowns and suits. But the truth is that Carnival is celebrated across the Caribbean, and in a [...]

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Last Tuesday was the celebration of Carnival in Haiti. But what is Carnival?

One of our Child Advocates, Natacha, explains what Carnival is and how it is an important part of Haitian culture. Take a look!

The Carnival of Haiti (called "Mardi Gras" or "Kanaval" in Creole) is one of the most anticipated events in the country. This cultural event is generally held during the month of February, the day before Ash Wednesday, with celebrations in the capital city of Port-au-Prince as well as other major cities throughout Haiti.

Each year, Carnival has a specific theme. This year the theme was "Ayiti sou wout chanjman," or "Haiti, on the road to change. " The celebration lasts multiple days and people celebrate freely in the streets. The elaborate floats, the costumes, the music and dance, and the colors are a reflection of Haiti's rich and beautiful culture.

During the festivities, many Haitians dress in traditional garments full of color or disguise themselves as characters from pop culture, such as the wandering Jew, the Chaloskas (depiction of the tyrannical policeman Charles Oscar Étienne), the Zel Matirins (dark angels), zombies or Loas (characters from voodoo). The Rara, a unique form of Haitian music, usually takes place on the last day of Carnival, ending the celebration.

Children love Carnival and enjoy participating in the fun. Schools plan special Carnival activities for the children, and this year children in the Restavek Freedom Child Advocacy program had the opportunity to join in the celebration! They made masks, danced and sang along with their friends, teachers and Advoates. They had so much fun! It was a fun way for the children forget their problems and have a good time.

To learn more about Restavek Freedom and what is being done to end the restavek practice in Haiti, visit our website at restavekfreedom.org, or follow us on facebook and instagram.

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Last Tuesday was the celebration of Carnival in Haiti. But what is Carnival? One of our Child Advocates, Natacha, explains what Carnival is and how it is an important part of Haitian culture. Take a look! The Carnival of Haiti (called "Mardi Gras" or "Kanaval" in

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Origin & History

Carnival in the Dominican Republic dates back to 1520, during the Spanish colonial times. Some researchers say the first carnival events took place as a celebration of a visit by Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, when inhabitants disguised themselves as Moors and Christians.

Between 1822 and 1844, the tradition of wearing costumes during religious festivities almost disappeared during the Haitian occupation. But it returned immediately when the country achieved its independence on February 27, 1844. Costumes were then no longer associated with religious celebrations, and evolved into actual carnivals, celebrated during the three days prior to Ash Wednesday. February was then established as the month of carnival in the Dominican Republic.

Characters

To fully enjoy and understand Dominican carnival, familiarize yourself with the main characters, and their significance in Dominican folklore.

Diablo Cojuelo is carnival's leading character. This "limping devil" wears a colorful cloaked suit adorned with small mirrors, rattles, ribbons, and cowbells, as a parody of Spanish medieval knights. A mask with large horns covers the devil's face, as he carries a round whip or vejiga -made from a cow's dried and cured inflated bladder-and goes along the parade route surprising distracted onlookers with a lash on their buttocks.

Roba La Gallina, or "the hen robber," is a man dressed up in an extravagant, layered dress, with large-sized breasts and exaggerated posterior, and carrying an oversized purse. She parades in the streets with an open parasol, stopping at the " colmados " or bodegas begging for his chicks-the town's young people-who follow along behind him in the parade.

Los Lechones are the city of Santiago's main carnival character, and are also a form of limping devil. They distinguish themselves with their masks-representing the face of a pig, with a long snout and tall horns-and their elaborate costumes featuring a colorful, beaded romper encrusted with bells and bows. Their role is to maintain order in the streets during festivities, which they attempt by swinging their fouet in the air.

Los Taimáscaros are Puerto Plata's main carnival characters. They are a version of the diablo cojuelo, mixing three cultural influences in their outfits: a mask to represent the Taino gods, blouses and coats representing Spanish heritage, and handkerchiefs that symbolize African deities.

Guloyas are from San Pedro de Macorís, and their striking beaded costumes and tall feathery hats are impossible to miss. They represent Afro-descendants from neighboring English-speaking Caribbean islands who migrated to the DR in the early 20th century to work in the sugar industry. Their unique African-influenced music and dance was proclaimed a UNESCO Masterpiece of Intangible and Oral Heritage of Humanity in 2005.

Los Pintaos - from Barahona-parade in intricately painted bodies in various colors, from head to toe, with just a piece of cloth covering their nakedness. They represent the Maroons-escaped slaves who took refuge in the southwestern mountains of Bahoruco in the 16th century.

Los Tiznaos, also known as Los Africanos or the Africans, are characters whose faces and bodies are painted black with coal and burned car oil. They portray enslaved Africans, and dance along the streets.

Los Alí Babá is a group with Oriental themes, known for performing choreographed dancing and drumming.

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Carnival in the Dominican Republic dates back to 1520, during the Spanish colonial times. Some researchers say the first carnival events took place as a celebration of a visit by Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, when inhabitants disguised themselves as Moors and Christians.

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SCL Virtual Caribbean Language Festival 2020 - Sign Languages across the Caribbean

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Add your responses - with your name or anonymously. This is a safe and respectful place built for growth. Please use this platform to support and share with each other.

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Add your responses - with your name or anonymously. This is a safe and respectful place built for growth. Please use this platform to support and share with each other.

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Agregue sus respuestas, con su nombre o anónimo.  Este es un lugar seguro y respetuoso construido para crecer. Utilice esta plataforma para apoyarse y compartir entre ellos.

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Enjoy these ASL resources for Black History month, celebrated every Feburary. For more information about how to find online communities for people who are Deaf and Black, visit this page.

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ASL Resources for Black History Month - American Society for Deaf Children

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Enjoy these ASL resources for Black History month, celebrated every Feburary. For more information about how to find online communities for people who are Deaf and Black, visit this page.

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How To Sign In BASL (Black American Sign Language) | Strong Black Lead

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On TikTok and in virtual hangouts, a younger generation is sharing the origins and nuances of Black American Sign Language, a rich variation of ASL that scholars say has been overlooked for too long.

Nakia Smith's popular TikTok videos celebrate the history of Black American Sign Language and delight in its divergences from standard American Sign Language. Credit... JerSean Golatt for The New York Times

"I have to make sure my hands are not ashy before I sign," Nakia Smith, who is deaf, explained to her nearly 400,000 followers.

In one of the dozens of popular videos she posted to TikTok last year, Ms. Smith compared her habit of adding a quick dab of lotion to her hands before she starts signing to the sip of water a hearing person takes before beginning to speak.

Since Ms. Smith created her account last April, the small ritual has caught millions of eyes, drawing attention to a corner of the internet steeped in the history and practice of a language that some scholars say is too frequently overlooked: Black American Sign Language, or BASL.

Variations and dialects of spoken English, including what linguists refer to as African-American English, have been the subject of intensive study for years. But research on Black ASL, which differs considerably from American Sign Language, is decades behind, obscuring a major part of the history of sign language.

About 11 million Americans consider themselves deaf or hard of hearing, according to the Census Bureau's 2011 American Community Survey, and Black people make up nearly 8 percent of that population. Carolyn McCaskill, founding director of the Center for Black Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University, a private university in Washington for the deaf and hard of hearing, estimates that about 50 percent of deaf Black people use Black ASL.

Now, young Black signers are celebrating the language on social media, exposing millions to the history of a dialect preserved by its users and enriched by their lived experiences.

Users of Black ASL are often confronted with the assumption that their language is a lesser version of contemporary ASL, but several scholars say that Black ASL is actually more aligned with early American Sign Language, which was influenced by French sign language.

Ms. Smith, whose sign name is Charmay, has a simple explanation of how the two languages differ: "The difference between BASL and ASL is that BASL got seasoning," she said.

Compare ASL with Black ASL and there are notable differences: Black ASL users tend to use more two-handed signs, and they often place signs around the forehead area, rather than lower on the body.

"Here you have a Black dialect developed in the most oppressive conditions that somehow, in many respects, wound up to be more standard than the white counterpart," said Robert Bayley, a professor of linguistics at the University of California, Davis.

As white deaf schools in the 1870s and 1880s moved toward oralism - which places less emphasis on signing and more emphasis on teaching deaf students to speak and lip-read - Black signers better retained the standards of American Sign Language, and some white sign language instructors ended up moving to Black deaf schools.

According to Ceil Lucas, a sociolinguist and professor emerita at Gallaudet University, many white deaf schools were indifferent to Black deaf students' education.

"The attitude was, 'We don't care about Black kids,'" she said. "'We don't care whether they get oralism or not - they can do what they want.' And so these children benefited by having white deaf teachers in the classroom."

Some Black signers also tend to use a larger signing space and emote to a greater degree when signing when compared with white signers. Over time, Black ASL has also incorporated African-American English terms. For example, the Black ASL sign for " tight" meaning "cool," which comes from Texas, is not the same as the conceptual sign for " tight," meaning snug or form-fitting. There are also some signs for everyday words like "bathroom," " towel" and " chicken" that are completely different in ASL and Black ASL, depending on where a signer lives or grew up.

The same way Black hearing people adjust how they speak "to meet the needs" of their white counterparts, Black ASL users employ a similar mechanism depending on their environment, according to Joseph Hill, an associate professor at Rochester Institute of Technology's National Technical Institute for the Deaf.

As one of the first Black students to attend the Alabama School for the Deaf, Dr. McCaskill said code switching allowed her to fit in with white students, while also preserving her Black ASL style.

"We kept our natural way of communicating to the point where many of us code-switched unconsciously," she said.

Ms. Smith said she noticed that others communicated differently from her around middle school, when she attended a school that primarily consisted of hearing students.

"I started to sign like other deaf students that don't have deaf family," said Ms. Smith, whose family has had deaf relatives in four of the last five generations. "I became good friends with them and signed like how they signed so they could feel comfortable."

Remarking on how her relatives sign - her grandfather Jake Smith Jr. and her great-grandparents Jake Smith Sr. and Mattie Smith have all been featured on her TikTok - Ms. Smith notes that they still tend to use signs they learned growing up.

Generational differences often emerge when Ms. Smith's older relatives try to communicate with her friends or when they need help communicating at doctor's appointments, she said, exemplifying how Black ASL has evolved over generations.

Much like any Black experience, Black deaf people's experiences with Black ASL vary from person to person, and seldom neatly fit into what others expect it to be.

Similar to much of Black American history, Black ASL grew out of the immoral seeds of racial segregation.

One of the most comprehensive looks into the language comes from the Black ASL Project, a six-year research study started in 2007 that draws on interviews with about 100 subjects across six Southern states, with findings compiled in " The Hidden Treasure of Black ASL." (Dr. McCaskill, Dr. Hill, Dr. Bayley and Dr. Lucas are authors.)

The project found that segregation in the South played a large role in Black ASL's development.

Schools for Black deaf children in the United States began to emerge after the Civil War, according to the team's study, with 17 states and the District of Columbia having Black deaf institutions or departments. The first permanent school for the deaf in the United States, which later came to be known as the American School for the Deaf, opened in 1817 in Hartford, Conn., and did not initially accept Black students.

Separation led to Black deaf schools' differing immensely from their white counterparts. White schools tended to focus on an oral method of learning and provide an academic-based curriculum, while Black schools emphasized signing and offered vocational training.

"There were no expectations for Black deaf children to be prepared for college or even continue their education," said Dr. McCaskill, who started to lose her hearing around age 5 and attended the Alabama School for the Negro Deaf and Blind in Talladega, Ala.

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Carolyn McCaskill attended the Alabama School for the Deaf in Talladega, Ala., from 1968 to 1972. Credit... Collection of Carolyn McCaskill

In 1952, Louise B. Miller, joined by other Washington parents, sued the District of Columbia's Board of Education for not permitting Black deaf children at the Kendall School, the city's only school for the deaf.

The court ruled in Ms. Miller's favor under the precedent that states could not provide educational institutions within their state for one race and not the other. Black students were permitted to attend the Kendall School in 1952, with classes becoming fully integrated in 1954 after the Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education.

Desegregation wasn't immediate in the South, however, as most schools resisted racial integration until threatened with the loss of federal funding. In Louisiana, the state's white and Black deaf schools delayed integration until 1978.

Ms. McCaskill (second row, far right) was part of the first integrated class at the Alabama School for the Deaf. Credit... Collection Carolyn McCaskill

In 1968, Dr. McCaskill became a part of the first integrated class at the Alabama School for the Deaf. As a teenager in a newly integrated class, she had a daunting realization: She couldn't understand her white teachers.

"Even though they were signing, I didn't understand," she said. "And I didn't understand why I didn't understand."

With the pandemic forcing many to flock to virtual social spaces, Isidore Niyongabo, president of National Black Deaf Advocates, said he had seen online interaction grow within his organization and across the Black deaf community as a whole.

"We are starting to see an uptick with the recognition of the Black deaf culture within America," Mr. Niyongabo said, adding that he expected it would "continue spreading throughout the world."

Vlogs and online discussion panels - for millions, staples of pandemic life - have helped foster a more tight-knit community, he said.

Students at Gallaudet University shared words and phrases common to the young Black users of Black A.S.L. in the documentary "Signing Black in America." Credit... Neal Hutcheson

Ms. Smith said she could see herself working with other Black deaf creators online to lift up the stories of Black deaf people, contributing to the recent explosion of Black ASL content that, among other things, has experts optimistic about the future of Black ASL and its preservation.

"History is important," she says in one video. "Am I trying to divide the language between ASL and BASL? No. I just carried the history."

Particularly on social media, younger Black deaf generations have grown more outspoken about Black ASL, proudly claiming it as a part of their culture and their identity, Dr. McCaskill said.

"Historically, so much has been taken away from us, and they're finally feeling that 'this is ours,'" she said. "'This is mine. I own something.'"

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On TikTok and in virtual hangouts, a younger generation is sharing the origins and nuances of Black American Sign Language, a rich variation of ASL that scholars say has been overlooked for too long. "I have to make sure my hands are not ashy before I sign," Nakia Smith, who is deaf, explained to her nearly 400,000 followers.

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Signing Black in America - more about this project at www.talkingblackinamerica.org

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Multicultural Student Development and Mentoring

Camp Catch Them Young is a two-week, youth leadership and cultural immersion program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing high school students of color (grades 9-12). The principle is that we must Catch Them Young so we can coach and nurture them from young ages to prepare for the opportunities to be leaders. It is designed to address the college readiness of these students and empower them to pursue education and leadership opportunities.

Due to COVID-19, the camp will be held July 12-25, 2020 via Zoom; it will be a completely virtual camp. The cost for the camp is $250. For more information or to ask questions, please contact us at leadership.pipeline@gallaudet.edu.

Framework

The program's goals are to:

Broaden their horizons;

Better prepare their minds to aspire to pursue a college degree;

Prepare them for the challenges of a college education; and

Plant the seeds of personal mission and vision towards leadership in their young minds.

Events Planned

The camp will include educational sessions, discussions, and rap sessions, Students will also have the opportunity to meet with several leaders, all Deaf and Hard of Hearing people of color, remotely.

TheupdatedCamp schedule will be released onJune 30, 2020.

Discussions and Rap Sessions

Topics will include:

Race, Culture and Ethnicity

Overcoming Racism

Leadership Development Strategies

Networking

Strategies for Successful College Admissions

Strategies for Academic Success

Camp Application

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Camp Catch Them Young - Gallaudet University

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Multicultural Student Development and Mentoring Camp Catch Them Young is a two-week, youth leadership and cultural immersion program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing high school students of color (grades 9-12). The principle is that we must Catch Them Young so we can coach and nurture them from young ages to prepare for the opportunities to be leaders.

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Microsoft Store Virtual Workshops and Trainings

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Microsoft Store Events, Virtual Workshops, & Online Training

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Find Microsoft Store Events online, virtual workshops and training. Browse workshops and training sessions for educators, students, and small businesses.

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📹 Black History Month Videos for the Classroom

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We've made an awesome playlist of Did You Know That?! videos that highlight Black individuals who have done amazing things and we've also curated videos by other YouTube creators. or on the YouTube Logo below and you'll see the Black History Month playlist in the header.

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Entonces quieres hablar de ...

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What do you celebrate this month?                                  

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What do you celebrate this month?                                  

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¿Qué celebra usted en este mes?

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What do you wish people knew about your holiday?

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What do you wish people knew about your holiday?

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¿Qué le gustaría que las gentes sepan sobre sus días festivos?

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Do you have special transitions in your family? 

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Do you have special transitions in your family? 

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¿Tiene usted transiciones especiales en su familia?

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February 1, 2021

By Beatrice Alvarez

This year we are making sure to celebrate Black History Month every single day in February. We want to spotlight a history maker per day with an opportunity to honor these great individuals by learning more about their lives and their contributions. Without further ado, get to know these incredible 28 Black history makers.

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Learn About 28 Black History Makers in 28 Days

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February 1, 2021 By Beatrice Alvarez This year we are making sure to celebrate Black History Month every single day in February. We want to spotlight a history maker per day with an opportunity to honor these great individuals by learning more about their lives and their contributions.

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Black Deaf History – Southern School for the Deaf

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