Vegas Goes Big for Chinese New Year 2012

Venetian/Palazzo

Photo Credit: Audrey Dempsey, Infinity Photo

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In Chinese astrology, The Year of the Dragon is marked by excitement, exhilaration, and intensity. This January, Las Vegas hopes to capture enthusiasm surrounding it.

The Year of the Dragon fills people with energy, vitality, and unbridled enthusiasm,” said Cathy Tull, senior vice president of marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA).

There will be events spread throughout Downtown and The Strip.

• Wynn Las Vegas will present a Dragon and Lion dance ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27. The ceremony will begin at the South Valet entrance at Wynn.
• The Palazzo will display a 128-foot fire (pictured above) breathing dragon that will be perched amidst the ground fountain and breathe fire from Jan. 23 through Feb. 5 at 1 and 5 p.m. (2 p.m. on Chinese New Year Day following the dragon dance.) At 1 p.m. Monday, a ceremonial dragon dance, complete with firecrackers and eye-painting ceremony, will begin at The Venetian porte cochere, making its way through The Palazzo.
• The Gold Coast kicks off its Chinese New Year celebration Monday as well. The public is invited to watch an elaborate Lion Dance parade through the casino Feb. 1 at 7:30 and 10 p.m.
• Caesars Entertainment’s Las Vegas resorts will welcome the Year of the Dragon with a concert by Chinese Mandopop star Wakin Chau at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Jan. 28 and 29 at 8 p.m. Tickets for Wakin Chau are on sale now and may be purchased in person at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.
• Also, Caesars Entertainment’s Lion Dances will take place January 27 at 5 p.m. at Harrah’s Las Vegas, 6:15 p.m. at Imperial Palace Las Vegas, 7 p.m. at Flamingo Las Vegas and 10 p.m. at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. On January 28, ceremonies will be at noon at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, 1 p.m. at Paris Las Vegas, 2 p.m. at Bally’s Las Vegas and 5 p.m. at Caesars Palace.
• Each year the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens puts on a display to celebrate the Chinese New Year that is guided by the Chinese Zodiac. This year, for the first time and custom-made for Bellagio, two 25-foot dragons will appear to be wrapped around a cylinder of water. The dragons will be placed on what appears to be an island of tropical botanicals. The display will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week through March 3.
• In Downtown, the Fremont Street Experience will welcome in the Chinese New Year with a five-day festival dubbed “Chinese New Year – Dragon in the Desert.” Opening ceremonies will take place on at 6 p.m. Tuesday with a live authentic dragon dance that includes virtual firecrackers on Viva Vision. The live dragon dance will return for closing ceremonies at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28. Beginning at 6 p.m. each night, the festival will feature a lion dance, a vendor village (with Chinese food, and arts and crafts), and cultural presentations on the 3rd Street Stage and traditional entertainment on the 1st Street Stage.
• The Las Vegas Chinatown Plaza on Spring Mountain Road will hold a celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, January 29. The celebration will feature traditional foods, exhibits and entertainment. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and under are free. Entertainment starts at  11 a.m.