In Las Vegas, the Year of the Tiger Brings Celebrations Galore

The Chinese New Year: every year, it’s celebrated between late January and mid-February. A holiday celebrated by more than 20%

Ivy Griffith

Feb 1, 2022

The Chinese New Year: every year, it’s celebrated between late January and mid-February. A holiday celebrated by more than 20% of the world, Chinese New Year is also known as Lunar New Year and TET, depending on where it’s being celebrated. In Las Vegas, venues are rallying to celebrate the advent of a new year per the Chinese lunar calendar – and this year, the theme is “Year of the Tiger.” Specifically, Water Tiger. In the Chinese Zodiac, a Water Tiger represents enterprise, energy and a dynamic flow of change. This could be the year to translate your dreams and ideas into reality – take risks, but be cautious, as dynamic change can also be unsettling.

If you’re ready to welcome the Year of the Tiger, few cities outside of Asia are as dynamic and vibrant as Las Vegas. It’s the perfect place to head to this week to welcome the new Lunar New Year, and all it may bring. Here are some of the venues you’ll want to stop by as the Year of the Tiger dawns.

Wynn Las Vegas

UAE

Wynn Las Vegas is celebrating the advent of the Year of the Tiger with a combination of artistic, culinary and shopping experiences throughout the property. They’re dressing the resort up to the nines, with gold-leafed tiger sculptures and breathtakingly beautiful silk dragon wall hangings to set the mood in the Wynn atrium.

Brilliant vibrant flowers are sprinkled throughout, and 70 blooming citrus trees are spaced through the properties, in honor of the tradition of gifting citrus fruit to celebrate the holiday.

On Saturday, February 5, at the Encore South Valet Entrance, guests are invited to watch a stunning special Lion and Dragon Dance. This traditional event chases away unwanted and unpleasant spirits and symbolizes hope for prosperity.

Friday February 4 through Sunday February 6, the popular Chinese New Year Brunch returns at Wing Lei, and again February 11 through 12. The Wynn team shares in a statement, “Featuring an elevated dim sum experience with gold-tipped chopsticks and tableside, butlered dim sum, guests can indulge in fried or steamed dumplings, shrimp balls, BBQ pork buns, pot stickers and many other favorites. In addition to the tableside service, the restaurant will offer a lavish sushi station, prime rib carving board, noodle soup station, Peking duck presentation and an array of desserts. Wynn Las Vegas’ master mixologist Mariena Mercer Boarini will also debut a collection of new cocktails created exclusively for Wing Lei. The Dim Sum Brunch at Wing Lei is served from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and is $98.88 for adults and $78.88 for children five and under, not inclusive of beverages, tax or gratuity. Reservations are available for parties of ten or more.”

Retailers in the Wynn Plaza Shops will sell themed items, including the Tiger in Wonderland capsule collection from Salvatore Ferragamo.

For more information or to plan your stay, visit the Wynn website.

Resorts World

Meanwhile, at Resorts World, Lunar New Years specials and events will be hitting the resort January 28 through February 6.

Here’s a list of Year of the Tiger events guests can look forward to at Resorts World Las Vegas:

Famous Food Street Eats (Feb 1): They’re kicking off the celebration with special performances that include lion blessings, martial arts, Chinese singers, folk dancers and more. The stage will also host daily performances for the duration of the celebration Jan 28 through Feb 6.
The District: At the heart of RW’s shopping District lies a 50-foot LED globe that will don Lunar New Year-themed animations including larger-than-life blossoming money trees with branches that grow gold coins and lucky red envelopes.
Dragon and Lion Dance: February 5 at 5PM the traditional dance will start at the South Porte Cochere, moving through the properties stopping to bless Genting Palace, and Crockfords High Limit Lounge before concluding at the Plaza.
Zouk Nightclub: After a series of performances from DJs Flight and Tiesto along with Louis the Child at the end of January, Zouk is now offering guests an Eye of the Tiger specialty bottle package that includes eight bottles of Perrier-Jouët, one magnum of Absolut Elyx, eight bottles of Fiji Water, eight Red Bulls and an event with lights, sparklers and a lion dance.

The foodie in your family will also love the Resorts World celebration, with these delectable dining options available:

Genting Palace: Guests can choose from two specially-tailored menus to celebrate the occasion, including a five-course prix fixe menu and a Dim Sum Brunch menu.
Kusa Nori: Lunar New Year menu options will be available through February 6, including Misoyaki Mugifuji Pork Tomahawk, served with a 12-ounce robata grilled pork chop, cauliflower puree, shiso kaki compote and glaze. Also available is Tokai Suzuki, made with steamed whole sea bass, shitake mushroom and lotus root and scotched sesame ponzu sauce plus several more themed menu options.
Famous Food Street Eats: Balancing on a theme of, “eight lucky street eats,” Famous Foods will be dishing up good luck menu options through February 6. Participating menus will come from Nori Bar, Ah Chun Shandong Dumplings, Boon Tong Kee, FUHU Shack, Ten Suns and Sweet Eats.
Fuhu: Dine under the Sakura tree at Fuhu, indulging in themed beverages and menu items.
Red Tail: Enjoy the Lucky Tiger Shot made from vodka, crème de cacao, pineapple juice and lime juice for the auspicious price of $8.88.
Allē Lounge on 66 offers singular views of the Strip and Lunar New Year themed decor as well as special Remy Martin cocktails.
Crystal Bar: Enjoy Hennessy cocktails while surrounded by cherry blossom decor.

For more information or to plan your time at Resorts World, whether staying or stopping by for the day – visit the website.

The Venetian

With the Venetian, you can roar into the Year of the Tiger with breathtaking decor and themed offerings.

In the Waterfall Atrium, guests will be welcomed by a 10-foot tall tiger installation designed in partnership with a feng shui master, and you can take home a more cuddle-sized version from the gift store. Tonight, guests will ring in the start of the celebration with a traditional lion and eye ceremony, starting at the Porte Cochere and wending through the resort to conclude at the Palazzo casino and lobby.

Cocktail Collective will offer the following fun and fortuitous beverage options:

The DorseyName: Lunar Lantern Made with: Remy VSOP, Benedictine, angostura, lemon
Electra Cocktail ClubName: Tiger BlossomMade with: Remy VSOP, lemon, simple syrup, strawberries
RosinaName: Spicy LongevityMade with: Remy VSOP, all spice, lime, ginger

Mott 32 and Majordomo Meat & Fish have also crafted special menu items for the celebration, with Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer with a Year of the Tiger CrazyShake that uses an almond cookie shake with a vanilla frosted rim with gold and red Sixlets, topped with a Chinese New Year almond ice cream cookie sandwich, red and gold sprinkles, whipped cream, caramel drizzle and a cherry.

And in the Canal Shoppes, guests can expect themed shopping experiences as well as dancers and performers to celebrate. To plan your day or stay at the Venetian, visit the website.

Hakkasan

Hakkasan Las Vegas at MGM Grand is pulling out all the stops this February. Guests can expect a specialty prix fixe menu, signature cocktails, and wishing ribbons among other delightful touches to ring in the lunar New Year.

Specialty menu items have been created to delight, and the Hakkasan team shares in a statement, “Available from Feb. 2-6, and Feb. 9-13, the Chinese New Year menu is $128 per person, for a minimum of two guests. Menu items are also available to be purchased a la carte. The menu begins with a Salmon crudo as a welcome from the chef, and the Trio happiness dim sum platter, boasting a baked truffle duck puff, tiger prawn dumpling, and wild mushroom puff. To follow, main dishes include the Salt crust fortune baked chicken with chestnut, shiitake mushroom and bamboo shoot, Wok-fried wild sea bass with enoki mushroom and spicy sesame soy and Stir-fry Wagyu beef and bone marrow with Osmanthus soy beside burdock root, baby courgette, green chilli pepper. Accompaniments include Buddha’s delight with morel mushroom, lotus root, lotus seed, gai lan, bamboo shoot and black fungus, and XO sauce lobster egg fried rice with handmade prawn cracker, and edamame. A gold tiger striped Orange Dark Chocolate Firecracker and Mandarin Sorbet with orange curd, orange compote, orange madeleine and chocolate mousse will mark the end of the luxurious feast.”

Two specialty cocktails have been created to delight as well, including the King of Fujian made from Belvedere vodka, lychee, kumquat, passion fruit, lemon juice and basil leaves. The other themed cocktail to look for is the Yellow Dragon made from Hennessy VS cognac, oolong tea nectar, citrus and sparkling wine.

For more information or to plan your night at Hakkasan, visit the website.

Other Places to Check out in Vegas

But it’s not just these four major Vegas venues rolling out the red carpet for the Lunar New Year. Almost all of Vegas’ hospitality heavy-hitters are celebrating and welcoming guests to an exciting heralding of the New Year and all its possibilities:

Bellagio: Bellagio’s breathtaking Conservatory and Botanical Gardens will take guests on a beautiful journey through their Eye of the Tiger display which includes lotus flowers, gold coins, silk-lantern chandeliers and a golden representation of the heart of this year’s Chinese Zodiac, the Tiger. A tea house, koi pond, and a number of beautiful displays centering on tigers will wow guests as they stroll through the gardens. For more information, visit the website.
China Poblano: Chef José Andrés’ China Poblano is bringing delightful Chinese New Year menu items to guests. Guests can choose from Lucky Vegetables, Scallop and Pork Siu Mai, Salt-cured Duck Bao and more – including a Dewar’s cocktail titled Tiger King. For more information, visit the website.
The Cosmopolitan: Speaking of China Poblano, The Cosmopolitan is ushering in the Year of the Tiger with a traditional lion and dragon dance, alongside the menu at Poblano. In addition to the dance and China Poblano menus, guests can enjoy, per a statement from the Cosmopolitan team, special offerings at Red Plate: “The resort’s modern Chinese restaurant concept, Red Plate, offers a royal luxury dining experience rooted in traditional Cantonese flavors. Open for dinner throughout the celebratory weekend, guests are invited to ring in the new year with a feast fit for royalty. Dine on house favorites, including Caviar Taro Puff ($19.88), Double Boiled Mushroom and Fish Maw ($88.88), and Whole Peking Duck ($118.88).” For information on these special offerings as well as the China Poblano menu items, visit the website.
Caesars Palace: Hospitality, food, beverage and casino events combine to make the Year of the Tiger celebration a big event at Caesars Palace. Decor throughout includes hanging lanterns, banners, firecrackers and floral arrangements. Enjoy a traditional lion dance as well as themed dining options at Beijing Noodle No. 9, Fulton Street Food Hall Noodle Bar and other Caesars resorts properties including Caesars Palace, Bally’s Las Vegas, Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Flamingo Las Vegas, Harrah’s Las Vegas and Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. For more information, visit the website.
Palace Station and Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa: Enjoy traditional lion dances and find good fortune and prosperity along the way. For more information, visit the website.

Are you convinced to book your Vegas trip yet? Act quickly, many celebrations wrap up the weekend of February 6 – although some go through the February 12 and a few through the end of the month. It’s the perfect place outside of an Asian country to celebrate; because in Vegas, authentic means respect, honor, tradition – and fun.

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