On January 21st, on the eve of the Lunar New Year, Philadelphia’s Chinatown bids its farewell to the end of the old year and welcomes the new year, which is the year of the rabbit. Based on the Chinese calendar, the Lunar New Year relies on the sun's position and the moon's phases. The New Year begins at the sighting of the new moon. In Philadelphia’s Chinatown, lion dances, run by the Philadelphia Suns, are lion costumes operated by groups of two who visit local stores. Store owners invite the lions to their premises and give them red envelopes containing money in hopes of happiness, good luck, and prosperity for the new year. A big show of firecrackers usually accompanies the lion dances to scare off evil spirits and bring good luck.
