A dragon dance at San Francisco's annual Chinese New Year Parade.

Chinese New Year, China's largest national holiday, begins this Thursday, Feb. 19! The holiday marks the Lunar New Year with feasts, fireworks, parades and many celebrations. This year is the Year of the Goat or Sheep, and many Chinese festivals are already under way.

While Little Rock doesn't have its own Chinese New Year parade like many larger North American cities, here are three alternative ways you can celebrate the holiday and learn about Chinese traditions!

1. Go to the Library

Visit your local library and ask the librarian or children's librarian for a book recommendation--then, read the Chinese New Year-themed storybooks with your child! You can also ask if regular storytimes or art workshops will be themed for the holiday. At CALS Main Library, teens ages 12-19 can ring in the Lunar New Year by learning how to write new year's greetings in Chinese characters (4:30 p.m. Feb. 19). For more info, visit CALS.org. For information on Laman Library's upcoming events, visit LamanLibrary.org.

2. Get Crafty

You may not have a festive dragon parade to attend, but your family can craft up some fun at home. The Shopping Mama blog explains the basics of the holiday and outlines four easy crafts that youngsters can make, including paper lanterns made from construction paper, Chinese drums from paper plates and a dragon puppet, too. Click here to see the full blog post.

3. Cook the Cuisine

Of course, food is a major part of the celebration, as well. If your family enjoys trying new recipes, browse these 16 Lunar and Chinese New Year recipes compiled by Jeanette's Healthy Living. You'll learn what certain foods symbolize and why they are eaten during the holiday. Plus, find the recipes for delicious dishes like Stir-Fry Noodles with Chicken, Mushrooms and Chinese Veggies; Spicy Kung-Pao Chicken; and Shrimp Fried Rice. And for dessert, don't miss out on the Coconut Sticky Rice Cake, which is considered good luck for Chinese New Year and symbolic of family cohesiveness.

Or, stop by Three Fold Noodles & Dumpling Co. in downtown Little Rock to nosh on traditional Chinese dumplings, noodle dishes and steamed buns. The family-owned restaurant will be celebrating the holiday as well as their official Grand Opening! Three Fold had its soft opening back in December--read our mini review here.

Happy New Year!