It's time to say “;Kung Hee Fat Choy,”; or “;Happy New Year”; in Cantonese.

The Year of the Tiger officially begins on Feb. 14, according to the lunar calendar, replacing the Year of the Ox. Forecasters say the Tiger year will usher in drama, intensity and change, making it the perfect time to seize new opportunities.

This month, merchants in Chinatown will be selling Chinese New Year candy and narcissus flowers, setting off firecrackers to scare off evil spirits and offering “;lisee”; (red money envelopes) to dancing lions. Cultural celebrations have been in full swing since January but culminate this weekend, starting with a traditional lion dance blessing at 6 p.m. today at 8 S. King St.

The celebrations coincide with First Friday, so art galleries will be opening their doors the same evening and participating in the festivities.

Rich Richardson, creative director of the ARTS at Marks Garage, said his gallery will be setting off a strand of firecrackers.

“;It's quite an amazing sight to see (lion dancers) jumping around in the middle of the artwork,”; said Richardson. “;It's a nice collaboration, and we're happy to be part of it.”;

The festivities continue with an open house at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza, complete with arts and crafts, food vendors and live entertainment. The Narcissus Queen and her court also will be out in full regalia to visit Chinatown businesses and their patrons.

THE FESTIVITIES continue tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Maunakea and Smith streets.

The Chinatown Merchants Association presents the Night in Chinatown Festival, an all-day block party with food vendors offering traditional favorites, including jai (vegetarian monk's food), gin doi (Chinese doughnut), gau (sticky rice pudding cake) and jook (rice soup).

At Keiki Land on Smith and Hotel streets, children can participate in rides, games and an informal Little Miss Chinatown and Master Chinatown event that begins at 1:30 p.m.

“;Everybody's a winner,”; said organizer Stephanie Ching. “;It just gives the kids an opportunity to go onstage.”;

Girls and boys as old as 12 can participate, dressed in red or a Chinese outfit, with the opportunity to ham it up onstage.

Every little girl gets a sash and crown, and every little boy gets a Chinese scholar's hat and a kukui nut lei, plus a complimentary souvenir photo with the 2010 Miss Chinatown Hawaii and her court. Reservations are recommended; call 754-8717.

At 3:30 p.m. tomorrow, the Night in Chinatown Parade begins at the state Capitol before winding its way along Hotel Street toward Maunakea Street. The parade's showcase will be a 150-foot dragon.

Live entertainment will be available on three different stages from 6 to 10 p.m., with ethnic dance troupes, local musical groups and martial arts and weapons demonstrations. And new this year is an additional block of food booths at Smith and Hotel streets, which will feature foods from Korean, Japanese, Filipino and Southeast Asian cuisines.

Chinese New Year

» Narcissus Festival: 6 to 10 p.m. today at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza, 8 S. King St. Choy Cheng, a traditional lion dance blessing, will kick off the festivities, followed by a visit by the Narcissus Queen and court to Chinatown businesses, which will light firecrackers and offer “;lisee”; (good-luck money envelopes) to dancing lions. Free. Call 948-2007.

» Chinatown Open House: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. tomorrow at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza. The second day of festivities will include Chinese ethnic food favorites, live entertainment and martial arts demonstrations. Free. Call 948-2007.

» Night in Chinatown Festival: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. tomorrow along Maunakea and Smith streets. Free. Call 948-2007.

» Little Miss Chinatown/Master Chinatown: 1:30 p.m. tomorrow at Smith and Hotel streets. Girls and boys can participate in this informal pageant; reservations are recommended by calling 754-8717. Cost: $10.

» Night in Chinatown Parade: 3:30 p.m. tomorrow at the state Capitol. The parade will travel down Hotel Street toward Maunakea Street. Free. Call 948-2007.

» Pan-Asian Celebration: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. tomorrow at Smith and Hotel streets. Featuring Korean, Japanese, Filipino and Southeast Asian food booths and an entertainment stage with live music. Free. Call 948-2007.

» Aloha Tower Marketplace: 6 p.m. next Friday at Aloha Tower Marketplace's Center Atrium. Featuring acrobatic pole demonstrations and a traditional lion dance by the Wah Ngai Lion Dance Association. Free. Call 566-2337 or visit http://www.alohatower.com.

» ”;ROAR”;: With Russell Tanoue and DJ Shawn Ho, 8 p.m. Feb. 13 at Pearl Ultralounge, Ala Moana Center. Cover: $10. Call 944-8000 or visit http://www.my-rt.com.

» Kunia Shopping Center: 10:30 a.m. Feb. 15. The Chinese Lion Dance Association will present a traditional lion dance, starting at Kunia Chinese Restaurant. Call 737-4676, ext. 26.

» Ala Moana Center: Noon to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 20

at Ala Moana Centerstage. Featuring an appearance by 2010 Narcissus Queen Angie Zhang and court at noon, followed by lion dances from 12:45 to 2:45 p.m. and a meet-and-greet with the Hawaii Lion Dance Association at 3 p.m. Free. Visit http://www.alamoanacenter.com.

» Koko Marina Center: Noon Feb. 20. The Asia Arts Organization will present a traditional lion dance in the center's Marina Courtyard. Visit http://www.kokomarinacenter.com.

» Aloha Stadium Swap Meet & Marketplace: 9 a.m. Feb. 21. The Asia Arts Organization will present a traditional lion dance. Call 486-6704.

» Mililani Shopping Center: 11 a.m. Feb. 27. Featuring a Chinese martial arts demonstration and traditional lion dance by the Chinese Lion Dance Association. Call 737-4676, ext. 26.

» Salt Lake Shopping Center: 1 p.m. Feb. 27. Featuring a traditional lion dance by the Asia Arts Organization. Visit www.saltlakeshoppingcenter.com.