Chinese New Year is one of the most important holidays to the Chinese people and its date varies according to the position of the sun and moon. Thus the Chinese New Year is often referred as the "lunar new year." Residents of Boston's Chinatown celebrate this auspicious event over a two week period, usually in January or February. Each year is named after a zodiac animal, such as the dog or rooster, which often inspires the theme of the celebration. Parades featuring dancers in elaborate dragon costumes march through the streets. Restaurants serve special traditional foods, like those made with lotus seed, said to bring about the birth of many sons. Revelers often set off fireworks as well, creating a fun spectacle for visitors to observe.
Boston's Chinatown is home to many restaurants, offering cuisine from various regions of China, as well as other Asian countries. The dining options of Chinatown run the gamut in many ways; there are casual places offering cheap food to go and high-end establishments which prepare gourmet delicacies. Chinatown is also filled with grocery stores carrying imported foodstuffs, allowing shoppers to purchase the ingredients necessary to creating an authentic feast at home. Many restaurants in Chinatown require patrons to use stairs, which makes it difficult for the physically-challenged. In addition, many restaurants only accept cash.
The August Moon Festival is one of the Boston Chinatown's largest celebrations. The festival is rooted in traditional folklore, which relates that the Chinese people overthrew a powerful and tyrannical dynasty in the late 14th century by planning their revolt with messages disguised in mooncakes. Delicious pastries, these treats are filled with sweet bean paste and bear a stamp from their baker and are sold throughout the district. Chinatown celebrates the festival with various events, like Chinese opera performances, folk dancing and vendor booths selling various foods and goods. The festival takes place near the historic Chinatown Arch, where locals gather to watch the moon while children carry lanterns.
