In the United States, Chinese New Year celebrations are gaining larger audiences. CGTN's Roee Ruttenberg visited one popular event mixing art with tradition.

The ceremony is called "Awaken the Lion". Giving him food helps. In this case lucky red envelopes. The lion chews them up, and spits them out to the crowd's delight. The annual Chinese New Year family day, at Washington's Smithsonian American Art Museum, is getting bigger and bigger. Parents put kids on their shoulders just to get a glimpse. A sizeable number of the people attending are non-Chinese. That appears to be the point.

STEPHANIE STEBICH, DIRECTOR SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM "We focus on the American experience. We love to see everyone come here with strollers, with grandparents. All learning a little bit about Chinese culture, and also American connections."

The event is co-sponsored by the Chinese Embassy. The top embassy official at the event said the Smithsonian approached them five years ago to participate. She says it was a no-brainer.

LI HONG CHINESE EMBASSY CULTURAL AFFAIRS COUNSELOR "I think the people's understanding is the most important foundation of any country-to-country relations. So I think that culture-sharing, culture-exchange is really important in advancing people's understanding and really bringing people together."

The event showcased Chinese arts and crafts. Lanterns. Pinwheels. Umbrellas. And most kids were happy to get their hands a little dirty. Paula Duarte tells us why she brought her daughter Isabella.

PAULA DUARTE MOTHER "Well I think the world is so globalized now, that they need to know all about it. Information is key, I guess, and culture is all around. So why not teach them all."

It's a message of inclusion and openness. Not a bad way to start the New Year.

ROEE RUTTENBERG WASHINGTON, DC "One of the things you can't see is that this museum actually sits in the heart of Washington, DC's Chinatown. The museum director says there's a natural link between the two cultures, and hopes events like this just strengthen that. Roee Ruttenberg, CGTN, in Washington."