Asian New Years extends the celebration

Why celebrate New Year's just once? The different countries of Asia observe the holiday by their own calendars with their own unique traditions. This year, the Asian museums of New York City have banded together for CelebrASIA, a rolling eight-week New Year's party for families of all cultures, kicking off this weekend.

1. Japanese New Year

WHAT Lion dancing, taiko drumming, calligraphy,

kite-making and rice pounding.

WHEN | WHERE Sunday at 2 and 3 p.m. Japan Society, 333 E. 47th St.

INFO $12, children 2 and under free, 212-715-1258, japansociety.org

2. Korean New Year

WHAT Sample rice cakes and other traditional foods, practice your special New Year's bow and play games like yut nori.

WHEN | WHERE Jan. 22 from 2 to 5 p.m. Korea Society, 950 Third Ave., eighth floor.

INFO $30 for a family of 3-5, or $15 per adult and $5 per child, 212-759-7525, ext. 309, koreasociety.org

3. Lunar New Year

WHAT Lion dancing, Kung Fu demonstrations and traditional crafts from the various Asian cultures that observe a lunar new year.

WHEN | WHERE Jan. 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. Asia Society, 725 Park Ave.

INFO $12 adults, $5 children, 212-517-2742, asiasociety.org

4. Chinese New Year

WHAT Start the Year of the Rabbit with a lion dance on 65th Street, followed by lion mask making, dumpling making, and a tasting of Chinese holiday foods.

WHEN | WHERE Feb. 6 from 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. China Institute in America, 125 E. 65th St.

INFO $90 for adult and one child, $35 per additional attendee, 212-744-8181, ext. 110, chinainstitute.org

5. Himalayan New Year

WHAT Help make a collaborative sand mandala, fashion butter sculptures and tour the Rubin's galleries of Tibetan and other Himalayan art.

WHEN | WHERE March 5 from 12 to 5 p.m. Rubin Museum of Art, 150 W. 17th St.

INFO $10, 212-620-5000, ext. 274, rmanyc.org/family

6. Persian New Year

WHAT The Persian New Year, or Norouz, marks the beginning of spring. You can celebrate the season with traditional music, dance and crafts from the ancient culture of Iran.

WHEN | WHERE March 12 from 1 to 4 p.m. Asia Society, 725 Park Ave.

INFO $12 adults, $5 children, 212-517-2742, asiasociety.org