This was my first Lunar New Year in any Chinatown.

I’m glad it was in Philadelphia.

Lunar NY Eve: nighttime

The night of Lunar New Years Eve was a block party. There was a certain calm at first - how many folks would show? Where’s the first greeting? How many are waiting at their dinner table? But it felt more local, less controlled. Until the first firecrackers pierced the neighborhood.

From store to store till midnight we danced, cheered, and ran to greet the next one. With Philly Elmo leading a parade and Philly Suns bringing life to the Dragon, the vibe was here. 2024 began as a great year for Chinatown to survive but most importantly, thrive. As I’ve captured the busy, but marginalized few blocks of this neighborhood in the past year with “Friendship”, I’ve only had confidence that these voices will remain.

The night ends with a series of pictures best viewed as a grouping.

Lunar NY: daytime

Since the night felt like a party, the following Sunday drew in the crowds. Flocks of families flowed through the Friendship gate, and into Chinatown. Many for their first time, and most honoring an annual traditional. One thing I had not mentioned was the chaos of the firecrackers. During the night, few and far went off, so you’d see the party run between blocks. In the daytime, every one was everywhere flooding the streets, the stores, the restaurants but stationed for their best view. The noise was more parade than party.

Movement on the street is a unique trait to us all who participate, and weaving through a can of sardines is definitely a challenge.

And then there was buddha. Quickly picking up from the still moments of crowds, Buddha was restlessly greeting every shop with open doors. Letting in the dragons, and the smoke.

I don’t have a whole lot of fancy words or thoughts on the Lunar New Year shooting event. Maybe I will in a follow up post, but this whole daytime event felt more reportage than anything I’ve done. So, I hope I gave Lunar New Year the justice it deserves. I hope I give Chinatown the justice it deserves.