Mayor Peter Carlisle and City Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo each took a turn as the head of the traditional lion dance costume yesterday in announcing this year’s events for the city’s Month in Chinatown Chinese New Year celebration.

Carlisle thanked the public and private partners that have pooled resources to commemorate the Lunar Year of the Rabbit, which begins Feb. 3. The monthlong series of events began in 2006.

"Every year it gets better and better and bigger and bigger," Carlisle said.

Events throughout this month will feature traditional lion dances, legally permitted fireworks, cultural exhibits, entertainment such as martial arts demonstrations, Chinese dancing and singing and feng shui and fortunetelling events.

More information is available at www.chinatownhi.com.

Schedule of events:

» Saturday, 6:30-9 p.m.: Narcissus Queen pageant, Hawaii Theatre. For tickets, call 533-3181.
» Jan. 14-15 and Jan 21-22, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.: Chinese New Year Festival, Chinatown Cultural Plaza. Free and open to the public.
» Jan. 22, 5-10 p.m.: Coronation Ball, Hilton Hawaiian Village. For tickets, call 533-3181.
» Jan. 28, 6-10 p.m.: 62nd Annual Narcissus Festival and Choy Cheng, Traditional Lion Dance Blessing, and Chinatown Open House, Chinatown and Chinatown Cultural Plaza. Free and open to the public.
» Jan. 29, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.: Chinatown New Year Celebration, Chinatown Cultural Plaza. Free and open to the public.
» Jan. 29, 9 a.m.-10:30 p.m.: Night in Chinatown Festival, Maunakea and Smith streets. Free and open to the public.
» Jan. 29, 3:30-5:30 p.m.: Night in Chinatown Parade begins on Hotel Street at the state Capitol and proceeds to Maunakea Street. Free and open to the public.