CELEBRATE LUNAR NEW YEAR AT AMERICAN DREAM
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (January 2, 2025) – American Dream will commemorate the Year of the Snake and honor the Lunar New Year with a series of festive events, vibrant performances, and delicious culinary offerings.
"Lunar New Year is a special time when families and friends unite to celebrate new beginnings and honor cherished cultural traditions," said Laura Deswart, Senior Vice President of Leasing and Asian Marketing at American Dream. "We are thrilled to celebrate this occasion with a month-long celebration at American Dream, showcasing Asian culture through tasty foods, fantastic deals, and inspiring performances and activities."
Guests will enjoy a wide variety of entertainment throughout January and February, as well as discounts at retailers, eateries and attractions. These markdowns will be distributed via traditional and digital red envelopes, honoring the snake – a symbol of wisdom, renewal, mystery and fashion.
The first 250 guests who visit Guest Services in Court A on January 25 and 26 will receive a red envelope filled with great prizes and discounts that can be redeemed throughout the property. Additionally, one lucky visitor will win a $500 shopping spree.
Luxury shoppers can also join in on the fun. Guests who make qualifying purchases in The Avenue on select days will be eligible to receive an exclusive gift with purchase.
PERFORMANCE SERIES:
Performances range from fashion shows, traditional lion dances and live bands throughout January and February.
Location: The Dream Stage (Court A, Level 1) and The Avenue
Performance Dates:
*All events and event dates are subject to change.
· January 4: Jingling Dance Showcase
· January 4: 8th US Starlight Youth Talent Competition
· January 11: 8th US Starlight Youth Talent Competition
· January 12: RNNL Dance Showcase
· January 18: 8th US Starlight Youth Talent Competition
· January 24 – February 12: Global LNY Photography Competition
· January 25: 6th Aland K-Pop Dance Competition
· January 25: Student and Teacher Piano concert
· January 26: American Youth Spring Festival Gala
· January 26: Dream Wheel Lighting Ceremony
· January 31: Lunar New Year Gala
· January 31: Lion Dance and Cultural Performances
· February 1: Lunar New Year Spectacular
· February 2: AAAH! Lunar New Year – Golden Blessings Market
· February 8: Sunflower Lantern Festival Gala
· February 9: BYO Lunar New Year Concert
· February 15: 8th US Starlight Youth Talent Competition
· February 16: Walk of Legend Fashion Show
· February 21: Sunflower Spring Piano Recital
· February 22: 8th US Starlight Youth Talent Competition
· JINGLING DANCE SHOWCASE:
Highlighting the talents of young performers through a captivating program of traditional dances and vibrant performances. This celebration of cultural heritage and youthful creativity offers an inspiring experience, where the beauty of tradition meets the energy of the next generation.
Location: The Dream Stage (Court A, Level 1)
Date: January 4, NOON – 3 p.m.
· 8th US STARLIGHT YOUTH TALENT COMPETITION:
Exceptional performers gather for a series of inspiring events. Featuring carefully curated programs, these showcases celebrate the beauty and depth of piano music, highlighting the future of classical performance.
Location: The Avenue
Date: January 4, 11, 18; February 15 and 22, 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
· RNNL DANCE SHOWCASE
RNNL Dance, New York’s hippest dance studio, blends Asian art with original choreography, creating a platform for self-expression and creativity. Known for its dynamic showcases, RNNL Dance presents a thrilling mix of styles—Hip-hop, Swag, Jazz Funk, Lyrical, Waacking, and K-pop—through performances that celebrate passion, innovation, and the pursuit of dreams.
Location: The Dream Stage (Court A, Level 1)
Date: January 12, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
· GLOBAL LNY PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
Discover the magic of Lunar New Year through the lens of the world’s most talented photographers at the 2025 Global LNY Photography Exhibition. Presented by the North America Photography Association (NAPA), this showcase features breathtaking works selected from thousands of global submissions, blending creativity with cultural storytelling. Welcome to a world of creativity and culture—where every photograph unfolds a story and every moment sparks inspiration.
Location: Merlin Court (Court A, Level 1)
Date: January 24 – February 12, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
· STUDENT AND TEACHER PIANO CONCERT
Showcasing inspiring performances by students and teachers from Music Pathway Studio and L&M Inspirational Music Center, with support from Steinway. This event celebrates the talents of both adult and child performers, along with the expertise of their dedicated teachers, for an afternoon of exceptional music and artistry.
Location: The Avenue
Date: January 25, 3:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
· DREAM WHEEL LIGHTING CEREMONY
Witness the 300-foot-high Observation Wheel as it is illuminated in red to commemorate the year of the Snake. The Dream Wheel features 27 climate-controlled gondolas that takes guests on a journey with panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline.
Date: January 26
· AMERICAN YOUTH SPRING FESTIVAL GALA
Featuring hundreds of talented performers from across America, this spectacular event will bring the Lunar New Year to life through dynamic performances and creative expression. More than just a performance, this gala is a tribute to heritage, a celebration of cultural exchange, and a reimagining of tradition for today’s world.
Location: The Dream Stage (Court A, Level 1)
Date: January 26, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
· LUNAR NEW YEAR SPECTACULAR
American Dream’s annual Lunar New Year celebration returns with a vibrant five-hour program featuring hourly lion dances, kung fu, traditional music, dance, fashion shows, singing, opera, and an acrobatics performance. This celebration honors the rich traditions of the Lunar New Year with engaging performances for all to enjoy.
Location: The Dream Stage (Court A, Level 1)
Date: February 1, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
For additional information on American Dream’s Year of the Dragon celebration, visit https://www.americandream.com/lunar-new-year.
ABOUT AMERICAN DREAM
American Dream, developed by Triple Five Group, is an unparalleled mix of world-class entertainment, retail and dining, comprising more than 3-million square feet just minutes away from New York City in East Rutherford, New Jersey. American Dream is home to leading attractions, including DreamWorks Water Park, Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, Sesame Street Learn & Play, THE GAMEROOM Powered by Hasbro, New Jersey Hall of Fame, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Big SNOW Ski Hill, Dream Wheel – a 300-foot observation wheel overlooking the NYC skyline. American Dream's immersive luxury shopping and dining experience – The Avenue – features Saks Fifth Avenue, Hermès, Rolex, Cartier, Watches of Switzerland, Saint Laurent, Tiffany & Co., Gucci, Balenciaga, Dolce & Gabbana, Ferrari, Gentle Monster, Canada Goose, Carpaccio, a fine-dining Italian restaurant, and much more. The retail and dining collection is further expanded with flagship locations for Aritzia, H&M, PRIMARK, Uniqlo, Sephora and Zara; as well as the Toys"R"Us global flagship, the only standalone location in the U.S, the first-ever MrBeast Burger restaurant, world renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson’s Marcus Live! and the world's first and only "candy department store," IT’SUGAR.
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