Lunar New Year

February 9, 2026

Lunar New Year 2026: How to celebrate the Year of the Horse in NYC

New York City’s vibrant Lunar New Year celebrations return to the five boroughs for a two-week run from February 17 through March 3. This year marks the Year of the Horse, the seventh animal in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle, which is said to embody enthusiasm, speed, and fieriness—ushering in a year of ambition and exploration. Across the city, there are plenty of ways to take part in the festivities, from museum-hosted festivals to parades and firecracker ceremonies.
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Events & Things To Do

Better Chinatown USA’s 26th Lunar New Year Parade in 2024. Photo courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

January 21, 2025

How to celebrate Lunar New Year in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

Marking the arrival of spring and fresh starts, the Lunar New Year festival runs for two weeks from January 29 to February 16. 2025 marks the Year of the Snake, the sixth animal in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle and representing wisdom and transformation, bringing with it, opportunities for personal growth. With multiple Chinatowns and Asian communities across New York City, there are many ways to celebrate the new year, from fireworks and a parade to lion dances and lantern-making.
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Events & Things To Do

Lunar New Year 2024: How to celebrate the Year of the Dragon in NYC

Photo by Dan Nguyen on Flickr

January 23, 2024

Lunar New Year 2024: How to celebrate the Year of the Dragon in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

Lunar New Year, the two-week-long festival that ushers in spring and new beginnings, starts on February 10 and runs until February 24. This year marks the Year of the Dragon, which is the fifth animal in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiacs and is said to possess the sharpest sense of self among all other zodiac signs. Ahead, find many ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year in New York City, from taking craft lessons from master artisans at the Chinese Institute in America's family festival to attending Chinatown's annual parade and firecracker celebration.
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Lunar New Year brings celebrations and joy to NYC’s Chinatown

All photos courtesy of Welcome to Chinatown unless otherwise noted

January 18, 2023

Lunar New Year brings celebrations and joy to NYC’s Chinatown

By Lidia Ryan

In early 2020, Vic Lee, who grew up in Manhattan's Chinatown, noticed that there was less foot traffic in her neighborhood. "It was obvious something was going on that Lunar New Year,” Lee said. “We talked to business owners, and it was because of xenophobia and racist rhetoric." During the height of the coronavirus pandemic in March of that year, she co-founded Welcome to Chinatown as a way to amplify small businesses and entrepreneurs in Chinatown via their Longevity Fund. The organization also has a meal donation program for underserved residents and does research and data collection. And this month, for the third year, Welcome to Chinatown will be hosting Lunar New Year celebrations to usher in the Year of the Rabbit, which begins January 22. We spoke to Lee about what to expect and what Lunar New Year means to her, as well as the Chinatown community.
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January 12, 2023

Lunar New Year 2023: Where to ring in the Year of the Rabbit in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

Lunar New Year, the two-week festival that celebrates the end of winter and welcomes in the spring and new beginnings, kicks off on January 22 and lasts until February 5. 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, which is the fourth zodiac animal and considered the luckiest out of all 12 zodiacs. Ahead, find events across New York City that celebrate the Lunar New Year, from Chinatown's annual parade and firecracker celebration to live performances by the New York Philharmonic and the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company.
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18 places to celebrate Lunar New Year 2022 in NYC

Courtesy of Pearl River Mart

January 28, 2022

18 places to celebrate Lunar New Year 2022 in NYC

By Devin Gannon

The two-week Lunar New Year festival began this week, ushering in the Year of the Tiger. Kicking off February 1 and running through February 15, the Lunar New Year celebrates the end of the winter and looks forward to spring and new beginnings. Thanks to its multiple Chinatowns and diverse Asian communities across the five boroughs, New York City offers many ways to celebrate the new year, including a fireworks display, parades, lion dance performances, lantern making, and more.
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Artist BKFoxx debuts new Year of the Ox mural in Chinatown

Photo by @just_a_spectator

February 17, 2021

Artist BKFoxx debuts new Year of the Ox mural in Chinatown

By Dana Schulz

Public artist BKFoxx recently debuted her new mural in celebration of the Lunar New Year. Located at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Middle School 131 on Eldridge and Hester Streets, the piece representing the Year of the Ox is titled "Onward." The artist tells us that she was inspired by what the Ox represents--honesty, hard work, stubbornness. "No better time than now for that theme, moving forward into 2021 and learning to be resilient," she says.
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Lunar New Year 2021: Celebrate with virtual events, food, gifts, and more

Photo by Rhododendrites via Wikimedia

February 2, 2021

Lunar New Year 2021: Celebrate with virtual events, food, gifts, and more

By Dana Schulz

Next Friday, February 12th, begins the Year of the Ox, an animal whose attributes are hardworking and honest. The Lunar New Year is a 16-day celebration, often marked by lantern festivals, parades, and fireworks. But since we aren't able to enjoy a lot of these gatherings this year, we've rounded up some of the best safe celebratory events in New York City, including virtual dumpling-making classes, papercutting workshops, a small business crawl in Chinatown, and traditional Chinese dance and music performances.
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January 15, 2020

17 spots to celebrate Lunar New Year 2020 in NYC

By Devin Gannon

The two-week-long celebration of Lunar New Year begins next week, considered one of New York City's most festive events of the year. The welcoming of the Year of the Rat, the first zodiac animal and said to be a sign of wealth, kicks off on Saturday, Jan. 25 and is followed by 15 days of festivities, including lots of parades, performances, and firework displays. With several Chinatowns and many Asian communities found across the five boroughs, there are fun Lunar New Year activities for all New Yorkers, from Lower Manhattan's 21st annual Chinatown parade to the first-ever Asian comedy festival.
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The 15 best places in NYC to ring in the Lunar New Year

Via Wikimedia

February 1, 2019

The 15 best places in NYC to ring in the Lunar New Year

By Devin Gannon

One of New York City's most spirited events kicks off next Tuesday: the Lunar New Year. With multiple Chinatowns and Asian communities across the five boroughs, there is no shortage of events to celebrate the nearly two-week-long holiday, which is said to have originated more than 4,000 years ago. While the most well-known festivity is the colorful parade in Lower Manhattan's Chinatown, other Lunar New Year events in Flushing, Sunset Park, and Staten Island should not be overlooked. Embrace the Year of the Pig, the 12th zodiac animal said to signal good fortune, with lantern decorating events, dumpling and noodle-making classes, traditional dance and song, and sparkling firecracker ceremonies.
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Events & Things To Do

Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week – 10/13-10/19

By Lori Zimmer

In a city where hundreds of interesting happenings occur each week, it can be hard to pick and choose your way to a fulfilling life. Art Nerd‘s philosophy is a combination of observation, participation, education and of course a party to create the ultimate well-rounded week. Jump ahead for Art Nerd founder Lori Zimmer’s top picks for 6sqft readers! Architecture geeks rejoice, as Open House New York Weekend is finally here! It's time to reserve your spot to see some architectural gems normally closed off to the public. But if you're looking for something a little less hectic, head to Queens to check out a field of Christopher Walken busts at Socrates Sculpture Park. Clamp Art is also showing off Mark Yankus' gorgeous "portraits" of New York's buildings, and New York art world impresario Gregory de la Haba is also producing an evening opera at Carnegie Hall honoring Ireland's unsung hero, Lady Hazel Lavery. Plus for the bruncher with artistic inclinations, this Sunday you can learn more about art writers and curators (including me!) that make their living in New York. Details for these events, and even more of my picks, ahead.
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April 30, 2015

Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week, 4/30-5/6

By Lori Zimmer

This week, I recommend taking a magical vintage-inspired boat ride set to romantic music, or experiencing old New York with an exhibition at the historic Westbeth Artists Housing's gallery. You can also gawk at the ill-fated Edie Sedgwick's beauty as Andy Warhol's Screen Tests take over Times Square, commemorate the life of urban activist—and Robert Moses nemesis—Jane Jacobs with over 200 free walking tours, or celebrate the vigor of the city with Michael Sorgatz's paintings. Leave your comfort zone and head to New Jersey–zip into Newark for the Gateway Project's ribbon cutting and party, or spend the day taking in the 1 million square feet of art space at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City.
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Lunar New Year

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