Celebrate Chinese New Year in Las Vegas

The Year of the Rooster is here, and Las Vegas is celebrating the Chinese New Year in style.

At the Forum Shops at Caesars, find an illuminated Chinese dragon display, a traditional symbol of power, strength and good luck. The 22-foot long, 6-foot wide and 12-foot high dragon weights 950-pounds and is covered in 30,000 red and amber LED lights, many of which flicker, offering a perfect photo opp.

Over at the Venetian and Palazzo, a traditional lion dance and eye ceremony welcomed the Chinese New Year, parading through the property on Saturday. The resort’s floral and horticulture department created a massive Chinese New Year installation in the Waterfall Atrium and Gardens, complete with 15-foot tall, 3,500-pound fire rooster crafted of steel and resin. The hand-painted rooster is covered with approximately 68,000 crystals. It’s surrounded by eight smaller roosters throughout the resort, each hand-carved and painted by a team of six artists.

At the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas holds its annual dotting of the eyes ceremony at the Boulevard Pool at 3 p.m. on Monday. Performers will awaken lions by dotting their eyes with red paint. A parade of lions and dancers will march from the Pool District throughout the casino floor.

Caesars Entertainment offers up a plate of mandarin oranges for every guest at Mr Chow at Caesars Palace. On Monday, a lion dance takes place a The Linq Promenade at 6 p.m., while Harrah’s celebrates on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 5 p.m. and the Rio celebrates that same day at 7 p.m.