A barrage of cultural celebrations will light up Chinatown into February as a buildup to the Year of the Tiger, the Chinese lunar year that officially begins on Feb. 14.

Festivities include lion dances, fireworks, exhibits, Chinese singing and dancing, martial arts demonstrations, feng shui displays, fortunetelling and food booths. All events except for the Narcissus Festival coronation ball are free and open to the public.

The city's Month in Chinatown was announced this week by Mayor Mufi Hannemann, joined by leaders of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Chinatown Merchants Association, United Chinese Coalition and the ARTS at Marks Garage.

A free 32-page guidebook of all of the events, along with Year of the Tiger ribbons and pins, is available at Marks Garage at 521-2903. The tiger logo design is by local artist Zong Chen Liu, and the booklet is the result of a collaborative effort with the Honolulu Star- Bulletin/Midweek.

For more information, call 948-2007 or 533-3181, or visit www.chinatownhi.com.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Next Friday and Jan. 23, 29 and 30:
» Chinese New Year Festival at Chinatown Cultural Plaza; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. United Chinese Coalition presents Asian cuisine vendors, exhibits and entertainment.
Jan. 30:
» Coronation Ball of 61st Narcissus Festival at Hilton Hawaiian Village; 5 to 10 p.m.; tickets available at 533-3181. Chinese Chamber crowns the new Narcissus Queen with entertainment and banquet.
Feb. 5:
» 61st Annual Narcissus Festival; 6 to 10 p.m.; traditional lion dance blessing will start festivities at 8 S. King St. Open house at Chinatown Cultural Plaza offers food vendors, arts and crafts booths and entertainment.
» The Narcissus Queen and court will visit Chinatown businesses, which light firecrackers and offer “;lisee”; (good-luck money envelopes) to dancing lions.
Feb. 6:
» Second day of open house at Chinatown Cultural Plaza, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
» Night in Chinatown Festival on Maunakea and Smith streets; 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; includes parade from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. beginning on Hotel Street at the state Capitol and ending on Maunakea Street, with a performance by a 150-foot dragon.

Chinatown Merchants Association sponsors both “;Night”; events. The festival also offers a Little Miss Chinatown/Keiki Land of inflatable rides, games and entertainment. The public can participate in the parade. Call Gifford Chang at 306-4570 or Kelfred Chang at 306-4584, or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).