Happy New Year and Gong Xi Fa Cai!¹ Lunar New Year 4706, the Year of the Rat, arrives today Feb. 7, with celebrations set to continue on for the next two weeks. Some may be wondering when the big parade will be and the answer to that is three Saturdays from now, Feb. 23. This famed parade, begun in the 1860s, will feature over 100 units and approx. 2 ½ hours of floats, marching bands, martial arts, firecrackers, and dancing lions and dragons. It's set to begin at 5:30 p.m. sharp and will take place, come rain or shine. Mark your calendars!

^{* Chinese New Year Parade in S.F. 2007. Photo © Justin Sullivan/Getty Images. | 1 “Wishing you prosperity” in Mandarin.}