7 Off-Strip Places Celebrating Chinese New Year

The Year of the Water Tiger embodies courage, enthusiasm and strength

Tuesday, February 1, 2022 marks the start of Chinese New Year, which occurs on the date of the second New Moon after the Winter Solstice. The celebration is filled with festive decor, traditional costumes and feasting. 

2022 embraces the Year of the Water Tiger. What does the Year of the Water Tiger mean? In Chinese traditions, the tiger represents courage, enthusiasm and strength.

Las Vegas welcomes the New Year with ornate parades, Lion Dances and special dining experiences. Here are 7 off-Strip places hosting Chinese New Year festivities.

Chinglish Wine Bar at Boca Park

Chinglish, a Cantonese wine bar, fuses flavors from across the nations to create a unique menu, which means they go all-in for Chinese New Year dishes.

To commemorate the holiday, the restaurant is offering a 6-course meal including wine and drink pairings for $125. 

Live entertainment throughout the evening will set a festive mood and include Lion Dances from 5-5:30 p.m. 

Fun Fact: Classic Lion Dances are performances intended to scare off evil spirits. 

To attend reserve seats for the 5 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. for the holiday banquet.

Cowabunga Bay’s Festival of Lanterns

Another tradition to consider participating in this Chinese New Year is the Festival of Lanterns. 

In Henderson, Cowabunga Bay illuminates the night sky with handcrafted Chinese lanterns. This special ceremony has been passed down from generation to generation for over 2,000 years. 

This magical festival comes to life through the work of 25 artisans who teamed up to sculpt, assemble and light the lanterns on-site.

The revelry unfolds on Friday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. running until Saturday, February 13. Adult tickets cost $10, children 12 years old and under cost $7.50 and they also offer a special package of Buy 3 Get 1 Free priced at $30.

Downtown Summerlin

Today, Downtown Summerlin brings Chinese New Year to life with its signature parade, red envelopes and celebratory decorations. Starting at 6 p.m., fan dancers, a grand dragon and other entertainers will march in a colorful parade on Park Centre Drive. This family-friendly event is free to watch and open to the public.

From February 1 until February 15, areas throughout the property will be adorned with Chinese New Year displays. Notable features include:

  • Oversize 2022 letters found in Macy’s Promenade
  • A gigantic Chinese dragon located in the Dining Arroyo
  • A picture perfect wall packed with holiday décor in the hallway adjacent to H&M

To partake in the red envelope giveaway, guests may enter the contest through the Downtown Summerlin app. 

Fun Fact: The Chinese red envelope custom is a special red pocket of paper used to give money gifts. The red color symbolizes happiness and good luck. 

Plus attendees will have a chance to receive a complimentary red envelope with chocolate coins and gift cards while supplies last. Go to the Concierge located under the Breezeway of One Summerlin to redeem winnings.

Palace Station and Red Rock Resort

Both local hangouts, Palace Station and Red Rock Resort, are honoring Chinese New Year with special events. Authentic Lion Dances will take place at both properties to cultivate a year of good fortune and year-long prosperity.

At Palace Station, the dance will begin at the North Valet entrance and travel throughout the casino floor today at 7 p.m.

At Red Rock Resort, the dance will start at the Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill and move throughout the casino floor on Saturday, February 5 at 8 p.m.

Rampart Casino

Wondering where you can find a dining special this Chinese New Year? Rampart Casino’s Jade Asian Kitchen & Noodles is serving two special family-style dishes.

  • Eight Treasure Soup ($28) – a combo of scallops, shrimp, crab meat, fish maw, peas, carrots and egg white drenched in clam sauce
  • Double Happiness ($35) – braised abalone and mushroom soaked in oyster sauce

Fun Fact: Eating long noodles on Chinese New Year is a tradition that symbolizes a long life. 

Besides the dining deals, the resort is also hosting a Lion Dance on Friday, February 4 at 9 p.m. The performance will occur throughout the casino. 

Other noteworthy holiday offerings include:

  • Lucky Red Envelope Table Drawings every Friday and Saturday in the Pit from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Year of the Tiger $5 Elite Chip Giveaway today until 10 p.m. 
  • Year of the Tiger Slot Bonus, which is a bonus progressive on Asian-inspired slots throughout the casino. This bonus progressive promo begins at $800 and must hit when it reaches $888.
Chinese New Year red envelope tradition

Silverton Casino and Hotel

At the Silverton Casino and Hotel, Lunar New Year celebrations commemorate the holiday with dining and gaming specials. 

On the food front, Wuhu Noodle is giving guests a free appetizer when they order a Wok classic entree. Appetizer options include egg rolls, crab rangoon, pot stickers and siu mai.

For guests looking to get lucky, gaming promotions for Chinese New Year are the following:

Chinese New Year Hot Seat

February 1

Three winners will be chosen randomly every hour from 12-6 p.m. to win $100 in Free Slot Play. Plus, active players on either side of the player will each win $25 in Free Slot Play.

Hidden Dragon Swipe N Win

February 4, 11, 18 and 25

Each Friday of this month, every 100 points equals one swipe for a chance to win up to $1,000 in Free Slot Play or other outstanding prizes.

$10,000 Crouching Tiger Drawing

February 5, 12, 19 and 26

All Saturdays this month at 7 p.m., 50 points equals one entry for a chance to win promotional prizes. A selection of 10 random winners will be chosen at each drawing. The grand prize winner will have the opportunity to play the bonus game for a chance to win up to $10,000 cash. Other winners will receive between $250 to $1,000 in Free Slot Play.

Earn Points and Win – Lantern Bluetooth Speaker

February 7- 10 and 21-24

Players who earn 2,000 points every Monday through Thursday have a chance to win a lantern bluetooth speaker. On Fridays and Saturdays, February 11-12 and February  25-26, guests may pick up their prizes.

Lion Dance ceremony

First Friday

For locals looking to celebrate outside of the casino scene, this First Friday festival on February 4 will be honoring the holiday. 

Around 6 p.m., First Friday will host a Lion Dance ceremony moving through Boulder to the main stage. Cultural activities will take place throughout the celebrations including live artist paintings in Dragon Alley courtyard and Steven Horlock’s Chinese New Year art exhibit on display in Taverna Costera throughout February.

Tara Banfield, February’s featured artist, will showcase her bold and colorful oil paintings. Plus, the City of Las Vegas welcomes back Jazzy Cadiente, a local singer-songwriter, who is slated to perform on the main stage at 8 p.m.

The monthly art event will also feature an array of live entertainment, over 15 different food trucks, local retail businesses and more. 

The event runs from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and is located 1025 S 1st Street.

Looking for a new restaurant to try? Try A Vibrant Blend of Asian Flavors Arrives on Fremont Street.


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