Imagine the color red exploding, briefly, beautifully, and loudly. Voila! It’s the Spring Festival parade passing through Harvard Square, with the Wah Lum Kung Fu lion dancers performing amid cymbals, drums, and a sea of shiny red dragon balloons. Having spread happiness to the people, the lions vanish at the door of the Hong Kong, a Harvard Square institution especially popular for its late-night Chinese food and drinks. Now, the “Kong’’ transforms, with the help of the nonprofit Chinese Culture Connection, into a temporary culture center. Kids and families stream upstairs for a feast of Chinese music, art, and culture.

Linh-Nhi Chit (pictured), from the Wah Lum Kung Fu and Tai Chi Academy, a martial arts school in Malden, performs at the Hong Kong.