PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Chinese New Year arrives tomorrow but Philadelphia’s celebrations begin at 11 p.m. tonight in Chinatown.

The Chinese New Year’s lion dance and its accompanying firecrackers are symbols of good luck, especially for Chinatown businesses. John Chin is executive director of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation.

“Each individual business wantS to attract the lion to their store to bring it good luck,” he said. “They put out some oranges and lettuce. And lettuce, which is green, represents money.”

Many families will hold New Year’s eve dinners tonight.

“Chicken and pork and mushrooms and seaweed and finish off with sweet candy and oranges.   The colors and the types of food are all symbolic of good fortune and luck.”

For more on the city’s Chinese New Year celebrations, go to www.chinatown-pcdc.org.

Reported by Karin Phillips, KYW Newsradio