Watch the Chinatown Lunar New Year Festival and Parade

Date: Sunday, February 17
Time: Starts at 1 p.m.
Location: Starts in Little Italy, working through major streets of Lower Chinatown
Perfect For: Seeing some amazing, authentic cultural exhibitions
Website: betterchinatown.com

The annual Chinatown lunar parade is an ornate and authentic exhibition of  culture, highlighted by elaborate floats, lion and dragon dances, acrobats, magicians, musicians, folk dancers and Shaolin-inspired kung fu demonstrations. The fact that it's free just happens to be the cherry on top.