It’s the Year of the Monkey

The holiday excitement may be behind us, but there are still some anticipating and ready to embrace the upcoming Chinese New Year. The Year of the Monkey begins February 8 and is expected to be a year of invention and improvisation.

The Chinese base their years on a lunar calendar, with the new year beginning anywhere from January 21 to February 20. The zodiac is based on 12 different animals, with this year’s being the Monkey. Horoscopes vary, depending on which year you were born, but overall, the Year of the Monkey will see businesses thrive under the Monkey’s optimistic and shrewd influence.

Sacramentans can celebrate and learn more at the Chinese New Year Cultural Association Saturday, January 30. The celebration takes place at Hiram Johnson High School on 14^th Ave from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and includes dragon dance and martial arts, music, food bazaar, exhibits, and children’s games.

For one of the world’s largest New Year spectacles, head to San Francisco’s Chinese New Year Parade Saturday, February 20. The illuminated parade is among the top ten in the world.