Au’s Shaolin Arts Society will perform lion dances down Front Street during the Chinese New Year celebration.

LAHAINA – In most Asian countries, ringing in the lunar New Year is a 15-day event during which many families rotate celebratory feasts between homes of their relatives. On Maui, Lahaina’s annual lunar new year celebration on Front Street will take place on Friday, Feb. 20.

Lahaina Restoration Foundation is planning a full day of activities and presentations paying tribute to Chinese New Year at the Wo Hing Museum at 858 Front St.

The museum will be open between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., offering free admission on this day.

Exciting lion dancing and the New Year blessing by Au’s Shaolin Arts Society begins at 5 p.m. at the entrance to Wo Hing temple. Lai see envelopes will be passed out to “feed” the lions for good luck.

Once firecrackers are lit on the Wo Hing lawn, the lions will parade south down Front Street, stopping in shops and restaurants until they reach Banyan Tree Park.

LahainaTown Action Committee partners with Lahaina Restoration Foundation in bringing the Chinese lions to town.

Wo Hing Museum activities begin at 2 p.m., when Dr. Busaba Yip Douglas will explain the story of Chinese New Year.

She will be followed by special guest Dennis Ryan, who will present a talk about his jade, pottery and bronze tomb artifact and coin-currency collections that are on display.

Chinese calligraphy will be demonstrated from 3 to 4 p.m., and Brenda Wong will present the art of Chinese knot tying until 5 p.m. for those who want to give it a try.

Hong Zhou will perform traditional music on the Erhu string instrument from 4 to 5 p.m., while Chinese tea is being served. From 4 to 7 p.m., traditional Chinese New Year foods can be purchased.

Festivities will be brought to a close at 6 p.m with another story of Chinese New Year by Dr. Yip Douglas at the museum.

Au’s Shaolin Arts Society lions will continue parading along Front Street with firecrackers until 9 p.m., ringing in the Year of the Ram/Goat. Kung Hee Fat Choy!

For more information, call Lahaina Restoration Foundation at 661-3262, go to LahainaRestoration.org/events or visit Facebook.com/LahainaRestoration.