The 5th Annual Madison Avenue Lunar New Year event will kick-off on Saturday, February 1. Madison Avenue will celebrate the Year of the Rat with a centuries-old tradition by installing wishing trees along Madison Avenue. Since ancient times, hanging wishes on trees for the New Year is synonymous with luck and good fortune, and is believed to encourage dreams to come true.  And they are coming true on Madison Avenue!  The Madison Avenue Wishing Trees will remain up until February 8.

The public is invited to place a ribbon with their wish on a branch to receive a traditional red envelope containing a gift certificate from a participating Madison Avenue retailer in the Madison Avenue Business District between 57th and 86th Streets.  Upon placing a red ribbon on the tree, each person will be given a “passport” that they can present to five participating businesses to qualify for their red envelope gift. Passports are also available at all participating stores. No purchase required. Each red envelope will contain a gift and/or gift certificate from the participating retailers. One lucky winner shall receive a red envelope containing a $488 gift. Guests can retrieve their red envelopes at the partner restaurant Philippe by Philippe Chow on East 60 Street.

Participating Madison Avenue retailers include Alice + Olivia, Atelier Cologne, Bally, Davide Cenci, Etro, Frette, Giorgio Armani, Graff, Lafayette 148, Marc Jacobs, Molton Brown, Morgenthal Fredrics, NARS Cosmetics, Paul Morelli, Tory Burch and Wolford. Shoppers will have the opportunity to purchase special exclusive products and enjoy special pricing as Madison Avenue celebrates the Lunar New Year.

For further information: www.madisonavenuebid.org