Lunar New Year Celebrations

There is no single Lunar New Year event in Houston, and treating it as one is the mistake visitors make. The celebration is spread across Asiatown along Bellaire Boulevard — individual shopping centres, temples and restaurants each running their own thing — plus a programmed day at Asia Society Texas in the Museum District.

Asiatown is the authentic version and the harder one to plan: lion dance troupes move between businesses through the day and the schedule is informal. Turning up along Bellaire and following the noise genuinely works. Asia Society is the organised version, with a published programme and a building to be in when it rains.

Whatever else you do, eat. Bellaire Boulevard has the best concentration of Chinese, Vietnamese and Taiwanese food in Texas, and the new year is when the restaurants are at their most celebratory. Expect waits and go at odd hours.

The date moves with the lunar calendar — 2027 is the Year of the Goat. Parking in Asiatown's strip-centre lots is free but fills; go early.