What is “World Culture”? In our global society it has never been more important for our children to learn about and embrace the cultures of our world.
This past weekend, my family and I had the great pleasure of celebrating the Chinese New Year at The Penn Museum in Philadelphia. It was a day full of music, crafts and history. We were transported to another country through demonstrations and hands on activities. In a few words I would describe the Chinese culture as Colorful, Spirited, Traditional and full of exquisite Talent. This annual celebration of 33 years included a complimentary themed menu, intriguing sword and fan dances, an informative Tang Horse presentation celebrating The Year of the Horse and a calligraphy instruction, among many other events and activities.
Our absolute favorite part was witnessing and participating in Chef Joseph Poon’s humorous and extremely talented food carving art demonstration. He created beautiful and intricate art from fruits and vegetables that were truly too good to eat. My daughter was mesmerized by his craft and storytelling. Chef Poon is a terrific entertainer – capturing the entire audience for an engaging performance. See our video below for a glimpse of his presentation.
Please find our short videos highlighting the Eastern vs. Western Music Demonstration and our overall experience at the Penn Museum. This was sure an event not to be missed but in case you have, there are some additional upcoming events and ways that you and your family can celebrate the Chinese New Year and Chinese culture.
Here are some of those upcoming Chinese New Year festivities in the Philadelphia area:
January 30, 2014 – Chinatown, Philadelphia, PA
Midnight Lion Dance Performance
Fireworks and lion dance parade beginning 10th and Race Streets running through Chinatown.
January 31, 2014 – Chinatown, Philadelphia, PA
Chinese Lunar New Year 4712 Banquet at Rising Tide Restaurant
Experience Chinese culture tradition through a ten course banquet.
February 1, 2014 – Wilmington, DE
Chinese New Year Celebration
Held at the Delaware Art Museum and Hanlin Chinese Culture Association from 11 AM to 3 PM
February 2, 2014 – Chinatown, Philadelphia, PA
Martial Arts Performance
Takes place at 10th and Arch Street
February 2, 2014 – Chinatown, Philadelphia, PA
The Philadelphia Suns Lion Dance Parade
Parade to include martial arts performances and fireworks. It begins at 10th and Spring Streets at 11AM.
February 5th – Chinatown, Philadelphia, PA
Chinese Lunar New Year 4712 Banquet
Place:Located at the Sang Kee Peking Duck House from 6-9 PM. Ten course banquet fully immersed in Chinese culture and tradition.
February 7, 2014 – Philadelphia, PA
14th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration
Held at the International House of Philadelphia at 7PM
February 9, 2014 – Philadelphia, PA
The Tet Festival
From 11 AM to 7 PM at Boat People SOS – Delaware Valley
February 12, 2014 – Philadelphia, PA
Chinese Folk Tales, Dance, Music & Lion Dance
Held at the Philadelphia Free Library – Independence Branch at 12:30 PM
April 25-27, 2014 – Philadelphia, PA
Shen Yun 2014
Merriam Theater
Elegant and mesmerizing Chinese live production with a live orchestra using ancient Chinese instruments. This is a breath-taking, colorful, extraordinary experience taking the audience through dynasties and into another world. 
Whether you partake in any of the above, you can also engage your children with these additional resources. (Disclosure: We are happily partnered with Barefoot Books who offers an amazing line of children’s books and games. We are also affiliated with Amazon.) Lin Yi’s Lantern is a fictional story about a boy who wants a lantern for the Chinese Moon Festival (includes educational notes on Chinese culture and the Moon Festival). Also by Barefoot Books, please find The Great Race, a book about the Chinese zodiac. Little Leap Forward – A Boy In Beijing is a fictional chapter book option discussing the culture of China. Additionally, Exploring Chinatown: A Children’s Guide to Chinese Culture
Penn Museum is a great launching pad for any discussion or lesson on world culture, whether your children are learning about a specific country in school or you are exploring as a family. Penn Museum has 
many upcoming events in addition to their on-going exhibits. Some of these include the Annual Celebration of African Cultures on February 8th and Native American Voices exhibition opening on March 1st from 11 AM to 4 PM. A great friend of mine from Jersey Family Fun had just spent the night at Penn Museum with their 40 Winks with the Sphinx program. I’ll link her blog review here shortly but the next opportunity to participate in this overnight program is on February 28th.
Disclosure: This was a sponsored post in that we were compensated or offered complimentary product/tickets for review purposes. The opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.
When I worked at the Penn Library, I always loved having an opportunity to go over to the Penn Museum. They have such wonderful collections!
Oh, it would be great to be so close and pop over every now and then. Very impressed w/ their collections.
So many great resources right in our own backyard, thanks for sharing this!
One that I didn’t know existing all these years… and what a beauty to find. Great for children and adults alike.
Great videos! I loved seeing what the Penn Museum did with this! It looks like it was a blast!
Thank you. The museum did a remarkable job with the Chinese New Year… I can’t wait until the next Family World Culture event.
I love the programs at Penn! Awesome. I am glad you had such a fun time! : )
Lots of programs and I love that some are family-friendly while others are geared for the mature crowd. Truly a place for everyone.
I’m so glad you shared these links. My daughter is learning about Chinese New Year at school and is totally obsessed. We might try to take her to the dragon parade in Chinatown. She’ll love these videos, too!
Enjoy celebrating the Chinese New Year… the parade should be spectacular based on everything I’ve learned through our experience at PM. I love when we can tie what our children are learning in school (and becoming passionate about) with things outside of the classroom.
Fun! My family went without me and had a great time
Oh bummer, sorry you missed it. Keep Penn Museum in mind with their many programs and festivals throughout the year and perhaps you can catch another event. It is a great museum without the special functions too though.
My kids are learning all about Chinese New Year at school – they love it. Great ideas! Learning about other cultures is always fascinating and great to start at an early age.
It is exciting to offer out of classroom experiences on things the children are learning in school. Enjoy celebrating the Chinese New Year.
I have yet to check out Penn Museum! We’ll have to make a trip there, it sounds wonderful.
I couldn’t agree more!!
Oh that you for sharing because I was thinking of finding something good to do with my children to teach them about the Chinese New Year!! Looks like some great ideas. I also have been wanting to get them to the Penn Museum!
Chinese New Year – fun!! So enjoy celebrating it with them.
Penn Museum – A Must!! So enjoy exploring it when you make it out there. It is amazing even without the festivals, great winter activity being 3 floors of indoor exploration.
Thanks for sharing. Love your review of the overnight program 40 Winks with the Sphinx.