The LINQ Promenade Welcomes Chinese New Year in the Desert with Opening Ceremony Celebrations and Cultural Performances
Chinese New Year is recognized as the most important Chinese holiday and is known as “Spring Festival” in China, “Tet New Year” in Vietnam and “Seol-lal” in Korea. For the first time, Chinese New Year in the Desert is held in multiple locations throughout Las Vegas over a one-week period, including The LINQ Promenade.
The fifth annual celebration centers around the Year of the Monkey, which officially began with opening ceremonies on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 9.
The entire LINQ Promenade was adorned with Chinese red lanterns and festive decorations, a tradition that symbolizes prosperity and vitality. The opening ceremony included City Councilman Stavros Anthony, Bruce Bommarito (vice president of international marketing for Caesars Entertainment) and Michael Goldsmith (vice president of international marketing for Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority), who spoke to guests about the importance of sharing in the Chinese New Year traditions and welcoming the many guests who visit Las Vegas during this citywide celebration. Guests also witnessed a traditional Lion Dance performance with an eye painting ceremony, before being treated to a special performance by the Hunan Provincial Song & Dance Troupe.
The Chinese New Year festivities continue all week at The LINQ Promenade with special nightly performances through Friday and extended performances on Saturday and Sunday. A complete list of details can be found below:
The LINQ Promenade
Cultural Performances
Wednesday, Feb. 10 – Friday, Feb. 12, 7-9 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 13 and Sunday, Feb. 14, 1-9 p.m.
Throughout the one-week festival, guests will be taken on a journey around the world as they experience performances from various Asian entertainers on The LINQ Promenade Stage.Hunan Provincial Song & Dance Troupe
The Chinese Cultural Minister and Chinese Embassy have partnered to bring the Hunan performance group to Las Vegas for this special celebration. A popular theater troupe, the Hunan group performs staged shows and award-winning acts at events around the world. The group’s specialty ethnic and folk artist performances will undoubtedly wow the crowd daily through Sunday, Feb.14.
International Culinary Competitions
Enjoy live cooking demonstrations and food art carvings by Caesars Entertainment and Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Las Vegas chefs. One of the marquee events will be an ice sculpting and fruit carving by Le Cordon Bleu on Wednesday, Feb. 10. Various Caesars Entertainment chefs will also perform a noodle pulling and suckling pig demo on Friday, Feb. 12.Dance-4-a-Cause
On Saturday, Feb. 13, thousands of local Zumba, Hot Hula Fitness, U-Jam Fitness, and MixxedFit participants will gather for the third annual Dance-4-a-Cause event with a live DJ and entertainment, in collaboration with Fighting United. Participants are asked to bring chapter books (Kindergarten-12th grade) to benefit Somerset Academy and Spread the Word Nevada.Mass Wedding Ceremony
Las Vegas closes out the Lunar New Year celebration with a mass wedding ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 14 at 3 p.m. Multiple couples will be married or renew their vows near the fountains stage with the ceremony officiated by a classic Elvis impersonator. For more information on how to register please email info@fightingunited.com or call (702) 524-8318.“Ben” the WeChat Robot – a Virtual Concierge
From Feb. 8-14, “Ben” the WeChat Robot is expected to make a daily appearance at The LINQ Promenade – an open-air shopping, dining and entertainment district anchored by the world’s tallest observation wheel, the High Roller – where it will greet guests and answer questions about the scheduled Chinese New Year events. Caesars Entertainment will once again showcase “Ben” the WeChat Robot – a virtual concierge – using ObEN’s proprietary speech technology.
Year of the Monkey Merchandise
Get your own Las Vegas souvenir (including T-shirts, mugs, stuffed animals and keychains) beginning Feb. 1 at the High Roller’s Skyshop, The LINQ Hotel & Casino, Flamingo Las Vegas and Caesars Palace retail stores.