BANGKOK — Celebrate the Year of Rooster at events traditional, festive and outrageous this week.

Due to the mourning period for the late King Bhumibol, Bangkok’s Chinese New Year will be toned down this year, and the usual Chinatown street festival has been canceled.

But not to worry, as Chinese performances, food, calligraphy workshops, promotions and parties can be found all around town.

1Park Celebration

The capital city’s central park is the alternative venue for the usual iconic celebration which happens every year on Yaowarat Road in Chinatown. From 2pm to 10pm today through Sunday, visitors can find traditional Chinese performances, Chinese dishes while paying respect to revered Chinese gods.

2 Make Stuff

Beginner workshops on Chinese calligraphy and watercolor painting will be held at 2pm and 5pm on Saturday and Sunday at Think Space B2S in CentralFestival EastVille in the Lat Phrao district. Spend at least 300 baht in the shop to participate.

3Catch a Movie

Dress Chinese, watch a free film. Major Cineplex is offering free tickets nationwide to the first 30,000 people who show up to the box office in Chinese costumes and post their photos to Instagram. The giveaway is only available Saturday.

4Party Hardy

An image of Pangina Heals posted Dec. 14, 2015. Photo: Pangina Heals / Facebook.

Some pubs and bars are throwing events under a Chinese New Year theme but the connection may not be much.

Enter the period, Shanghai underground cabaret of Maggie Choo’s to see drag performer Pangina Heals’s 9pm performance on Sunday, followed by music from DJs Yui Truluv and Steven G. Drink excessively from 7pm to 9pm at a free-flow price of 500 baht for joining the event page.


The retro Chinois decor of Sing Sing Theater will supply the vibes and Alex Fischer, LazyKay and Antonio Sax the music Saturday night starting at 9pm. Partygoers will be surprised with red gift envelopes.

Despite being a Cuban-style cocktail pub, Revolucion Cocktail Bangkok in Soi Sathorn 10 will turn Chinese and pack in people dressed in Chinese glamor starting at 6pm on Friday and Saturday.

Admission is free. Red envelopes and other surprises will be on the house.

For the family, the Neilson Hays Library will host a children’s party 10:30am to 12:30pm on Saturday. Storytelling, arts and crafts, lion dancers and more will be there along with snacks and drinks. Members can pay 100 baht per child, while tickets for non-members’ children are 200 baht.

5Shop up a Storm

Splash out at several shops and department stores where discounts and vouchers are available for big spenders.

Apart from traditional performances, CentralWorld will host a themed retro market in the front court filled with fashion stalls, vintage toy vendors and food sellers in a retro restaurant environment. Shopping commences Friday through Sunday.

In EmQuartier’s Quartier Park, dragon performances will be staged at 7pm and 8pm each evening.


6Red Run

Enter a 5K or 11K race on the morning of Feb. 12 from National Stadium to Yaowarat Road for not only good health but a chance to go to China.

Registration fees are 470 baht to 520 baht and can be made online until Tuesday.

 

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Chinese New Year to Skip Chinatown