The streets of Chinatown come alive with the traditions of the Chinese New Year, tonight celebrate the eve before the big day with a lion dance, firecrackers and midnight parade. (Photo by M. Edlow for Visit Philadelphia)
Happy Chinese New Year, folks! The city is abuzz with themed events all around, but tonight, the hub of the action is Chinatown which presents its annual midnight parade complete with a lion dance, firecrackers and other performances throughout the winding streets. Stay up past your bedtime for this one.
It’s the second to last night of Center City restaurant week, visit one (or more!) of the 100 participating restaurants for a discounted, three-course dinner. If you haven’t taken advantage of the biannual event yet this winter, do so tonight.
Beyond restaurant week, Cedar Point Bar and Kitchen presents its weekly Thursday night dinner with a sweet twist. Every week, the Fishtown hangout presents its diners with menu options themed around one ingredient and tonight, chocolate takes the stage.
Our top picks for tonight, below.
• New Year’s Eve Midnight Parade And Lion Dance Performance in Chinatown: Tonight is Chinese New Year’s Eve, and the streets of Chinatown erupt with tons of festive events all night long. At 11:30 p.m., the Philadelphia Suns are slated to perform a lion dance starting at 10th and Race streets that winds through the streets of Chinatown. Welcome the Year of the Horse with firecrackers as the dancers parade through town.
When: Thursday, January 30, 11:30 p.m.
Where: 10th and Race streets
Cost: Free
• Center City District Restaurant Week: Fill up on a delicious dinner as Center City Restaurant Week continues to bring $35, three-course meals to more than 100 restaurants in Center City. It’s the second to last night to enjoy a discounted dinner at some of the city’s fabulous restaurants. So, grab your friends and make a last-minute reservation now!
When: Thursday, January 30
Where: Participating Restaurants
Cost: $35 plus beverages, tax and tip
• Thursday Night Supper at Cedar Point Bar and Kitchen: Every Thursday night, Cedar Point Bar and Kitchen in Fishtown dishes out entrees, appetizers, desserts and drinks completely inspired by one ingredient. Tonight, bring your sweet tooth as the crew whips up tasty items made with chocolate. Indulge in dishes including coffee chocolate short rib chili, pureed eggplant with white chocolate and roasted cocoa cauliflower.
When: Thursday, January 30, 5 p.m.
Where: Cedar Point Bar and Kitchen, 2370 E. Norris Street
Cost: Pay as you go
• Free to Love: The Cinema of the Sexual Revolution at International House Philadelphia: International House Philadelphia presents a groundbreaking film series, Free to Love: The Cinema of the Sexual Revolution through Saturday, February 15. Tonight, head to the University City haunt for a screening of short films as part of Radical Sex Education Films from San Francisco’s Multi-Media Resource Center. The multi-media resource center was a radical organization in the ’70s and ’80s that believed in promoting sexual education in a newfound way. The films are slated to begin at 7 p.m.
When: Thursday, January 30, 7 p.m.
Where: International House Philadelphia, 3701 Chestnut Street
Cost: $9 for general public, $7 for students and seniors, free for International House members
• Free Cycling Class at Sweat Fitness Fitler Square: Tonight at 6:30 p.m., get your heart pumping with a free cycling class at Sweat Fitness in Fitler Square. There’s no catch, all you have to do is mention that you’re at Sweat for sweat cycling to take advantage of the free class.
When: Thursday, January 30, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Sweat Fitness Fitler Square, Fitler Square, 200 S. 24th Street
Cost: Free
• QOTA at Marra’s: Head to Marra on East Passyunk Avenue for the first QOTA event of the new year. QOTA, or queers on the avenue, is a monthly LGBT happy hour at various bars and restaurants in East Passyunk. Enjoy free pasta and pizza and discounts on beverages including wine, martinis, beer and other cocktails. QOTA is slated to run from 6 to 9 p.m.
When: Thursday, January 30, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Marra’s, 1734 E. Passyunk Avenue
Cost: Pay as you go
• Pho For Dinner: Venture beyond restaurant week with a steaming bowl of pho. We recently rounded up our top picks for pho in Philadelphia, click here for our guide. Plus, there’s no better time for pho than winter.
When: Thursday, January 30
Where: Participating restaurants
Cost: Pay as you go
• Ramen For Dinner: Cozy up with a big bowl of ramen tonight. The steaming broth will be well worth the trip to the restaurant. Check out our guide to some of the city’s most popular ramen spots for the perfect mid-winter remedy.
When: Thursday, January 30
Where: Participating restaurants
Cost: Pay as you go