Hakone’s Lunar New Year Festival Celebrates Year of the Monkey

Ring in the Chinese Lunar New Year in a festive fashion at Hakone Estate and Gardens in Saratoga. Celebrate the “Year of the Monkey” at its 8th Annual Lunar New Year Festival on Feb. 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hakone, an oasis of Zen high above Silicon Valley, will feature special Asian culinary delights at the celebration. Guests will be entertained with a Kung Fu demonstration, Tai Chi, a Chinese dance performance and a children’s chorus. The Far East Dragon Lion Dance Association will usher in the year and kick off the second year of Hakone’s three-year centennial celebration with a colorful and elaborate double-lion dance.

Back by popular demand, Hakone will hold a children’s lunar festival costume parade in the garden, where children 12 and under wear festive Asian outfits and receive a souvenir gift. Kids can also enjoy craft activities, face-painting, a calligraphy demonstration, a Chinese trinket bazaar and boutique booth, and much more.

The event is free with the admission, which is $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, and kids under 5 are free. Members and a guest can enjoy free admission. A free shuttle bus is available at the following location in downtown Saratoga: 14460 Big Basin Way (in front of Saratoga Chamber of Commerce). Limited parking is available at Hakone for $20 per car.

Photo Credit: Hakone Estate and Gardens

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Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributes travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She is fluent in Italian and Spanish and laughably adequate in French. Her background as an Early Childhood Educator gives her an added understanding of what it takes to travel with kids in tow. She firmly believes that the most important part of education takes place outside of the classroom, on the road, around the world. She never misses a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. Follow Allison at @gourmetrav.