In the heart of New York's Chinatown hundreds brave the cold and snow for a glimpse of the New Year fire crackers.

　　Public schools in the city are closed for this holiday for the very first time and families aren't allowing a little inclement weather to dampen their mood.

　　"It's a big deal because we can celebrate it, or the Chinese people can celebrate it as well as like Christmas that we enjoy and everybody enjoys it."

　　"It's about time they started doing that. When I was a kid going to school here they didn't have it so I had to take a sick day or leave."

　　纽约庆祝中国农历新年

　　The Year of the Monkey is associated with energy and mischief. And armed with drums and confetti- New Yorkers are trying to get into the spirit.

　　The city is home to over a million Asian Americans. And Executive Director of the Chinatown Partnership Wellington Chen says New York's Chinatown is a special place to ring in the new year.

　　Wellington Chen, Executive Director, Chinatown Partnership

　　"New York, this is one of the oldest Chinatown's so you can't beat it. No other Chinatown has the kind of history, the roots, the deep culture and the connection to the Statue of Liberty in the harbour."

　　But the firecracker ceremony in Chinatown is just one part of the city's effort to celebrate the Year of the Monkey.

　　Across Manhattan a cross-cultural art exhibit has opened celebrating the works of established and contemporary artists from the US and China.

　　It's part of a five day festival taking place across the city and Chair of the US-China Cultural Institute Shirley Young- says she hope to make the new year more than just a celebration.

　　Shirley Young, Chair, US-China Cultural Institute

　　"I hope what this overall celebration does is really to help people understand better in a deeper way through the arts, through the kids, through nature, what modern China is about."

　　New Yorkers have also been treated to a huge fireworks display on the Hudson River. To ensure the Year of the Monkey gets off to a flying start.

　　For CRI, I'm William Denselow in New York.