North Jersey Plans 15 Events Across Five Counties for Year of the Fire Horse

North Jersey will throw at least 15 parties for Lunar New Year in five counties. They run from Feb. 12 through March 3. The Year of the Fire Horse kicks off Feb. 17 and continues until Feb. 5, 2027.

Fire Horse years come around once every 60 years. The Chinese Zodiac spins through 12 animals over six decades, matching each one with an element: water, wood, fire, earth, or metal.

This 15-day festival begins with a new moon. It ends when the moon grows full. On New Year’s Eve, families sit down together for dinner — dumplings, whole fish, long noodles, spring rolls, and rice cakes fill the table. They stay awake late into the night, waiting to greet the new year.

Bergen County plans six events. American Dream Mall hosts a Lunar New Year The Lunar New Year Spectacular will take place on February 15 from noon to 6 p.m. Lion dances will leap across Dream Stage Court A, and Kung Fu masters will showcase their skills. Performers will take the stage.

Fort Lee throws its first Fire Horse & Lion Lunar New Year Parade & Flower Market on Feb. 15 from noon to 3 p.m. The Chinese American Community of Fort Lee starts things off at Borough Hall with a blessing ceremony, then marches to Fort Lee Commons. An outdoor market awaits with food trucks and shows.

Feng Shui consultant Tina Munson will speak about how horse energy might influence the coming year. She appears on Feb. 17 at 5 p.m. at Englewood Library. That same day, the North Jersey Chamber of Commerce holds a networking gathering at Little Sheep Hot Pot from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Essex County offers four parties. Newark Museum of Art puts on a family event Feb. 14 from noon to 5 p.m. The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company performs. So does the New Jersey Korean School Children’s Choir.

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company also takes the stage at New Jersey Performing Arts Center on Feb. 14-15 at 2 p.m. A dragon parade winds through downtown Montclair on Feb. 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., wrapping up with shows and food trucks at Montclair Hub.

Morris County marks the occasion Feb. 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Morris Plains Library. Children’s author Ran Wei Baker will read stories. New Jersey Asian American Youth performs.

Passaic County hosts a festival Feb. 15 from noon to 10 p.m. at Factory 220. Chùa Từ Bi Buddhist Temple sponsors it. Dragon dancers will perform, and Asian food will be served.

Sussex County holds story time for children ages 3-9 on Feb. 21 from 11 a.m. to noon at Black Dog Books in Lafayette. Some events require advance registration. Ticket prices go from free to $30.

The post North Jersey Plans 15 Events Across Five Counties for Year of the Fire Horse appeared first on WMTR AM.