The Confucius Institute will be ringing in the Year of the Dog this weekend.

Also known as Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year marks the turn of the lunisolar Chinese calendar while kicking off a two-week celebration leading up to the traditional Lantern Festival in March.

More than 550 people are expected to attend a local Chinese New Year celebration being held Saturday, Feb. 17 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Merritton Community Centre in St. Catharines. The event is being jointly hosted by the Chinese Cultural Association of Niagara, the Confucius Institute at Brock University and the Niagara Chinese Business Council.

The celebration, starting with a reception at 4:30 p.m., includes a buffet dinner from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by Chinese cultural and artistic performances until 9 p.m.

In the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle, 2018 is the Year of the Dog. The animal is regarded as auspicious, able to understand the human spirit and obedient to its master. People born in the Year of the Dog are believed to be generous, brave, loyal and dependable.

Tickets for the Chinese New Year celebration are $20 for adults and $10 for kids under 11 years old, and can be purchased by emailing ci@brocku.ca or in person at the Confucius Institute in the International Centre at Brock University.

For more information, contact Yan Zhao at yzhao7@brocku.ca or at 905-688-5550 x6013.