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.
Manhattan
Chinatown’s Lunar New Year Parade
Mott and Canal Streets, Chinatown
March 1 at 1 p.m.
Lower Manhattan will once again burst with the vibrant colors of its 28th annual Lunar New Year Parade. Hosted by Better Chinatown, this year’s parade celebrates the Year of the Horse with traditional dragon dances, colorful costumes, martial arts performers, food and drink vendors, and more. The procession begins at the corner of Mott and Canal Streets and travels to Chatham Square before continuing along East Broadway toward the Manhattan Bridge, concluding on Eldridge and Forsyth Streets near Grand Street, adjacent to Sara D. Roosevelt Park.
Chinese New Year Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival
Sara D. Roosevelt Park, Chrystie Street and Forsyth Street, Chinatown
February 17 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Thousands of firecrackers will ring out to scare away evil spirits and welcome the Year of the Horse at the 28th Chinatown Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival, which also features live performances, food vendors, giveaways, and more.
Lunar New Year at Hudson Yards
The Shops at Hudson Yards, 20 Hudson Yards
February 4 through February 22
Hudson Yards is ringing in the Year of the Horse with a festive lineup of events and activities. For the first time, visitors can join free lantern-making workshops in partnership with the New York Chinese Cultural Center on February 4 and 11 at 5:30 p.m. Traditional performances will include lion dances, Dunhuang (silk ribbon) dance, and Shaolin Kung Fu, all taking place in the Great Room on Level 1.
Shoppers can also earn special rewards: guests who spend $188 or more in same-day receipts will receive a ticket to Vessel, while those who spend $588 or more will receive a lucky red envelope.
2026 Lunar New Year Gala: Year of the Horse Celebration
DiMenna Center for Classical Music, 450 West 37th Street, Hell’s Kitchen
February 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The world-renowned Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company brings its vibrant choreography and colorful performances to Hell’s Kitchen’s DiMenna Center for Classical Music this year. The intimate celebration features cocktails and modern Asian cuisine from Saffron59 chefs, conversation with artists and friends, traditional dances including the Lion Dance and Mongolian dance, and live instrumental music. Guests can also bid in a silent auction of traditional and contemporary arts and crafts. Tickets start at $250 and can be purchased here
From Chinatown, With Love
Abrons Art Center, 466 Grand Street, Chinatown
Through March 22
Returning for its fourth year, “From Chinatown, With Love” connects Asian American artists with Chinatown small businesses to celebrate the Lunar New Year while addressing ongoing gentrification and cultural displacement in the neighborhood. For 2026, local artists and writers—Cynthia Cheng, Jen Tong, Vanessa Nguyen, Kat Chow, Alina Shen, and Karissa Chen—have created illustrations and prose inspired by the 12 participating businesses and the transformative energy of the Year of the Horse. Beginning February 14, shoppers who spend $50 or more at these businesses will receive a special tear-off calendar celebrating the neighborhood’s creativity and resilience.
Museum of Chinese in America’s Lunar New Year 2026
215 Centre Street, Chinatown
Through February 21
Lunar New Year festivities at the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) are already underway, offering a variety of engaging events to celebrate the Year of the Horse. Highlights include MOCA’s annual Lunar New Year Family Festival on February 21, along with guest talks, public tours, art workshops, animal meet-and-greets, and more. See MOCA’s full Lunar New Year schedule here.
Lincoln Center’s Lunar New Year Celebration
David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, Upper West Side
February 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lincoln Center is hosting a free, family-friendly Year of the Horse celebration, marking the third consecutive year the famed arts campus has welcomed Lunar New Year festivities. This year’s event features the Tai Look Lion Dance Company, traditional Korean music performed by Insun Park & Generals, and a fun storytime session. Guests can also enjoy hands-on arts and crafts with the Shanghai Museum and sample a variety of foods. The event is general admission, with visitors welcomed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Sound of Spring: A Chinese New Year Concert
Frederick P. Rose Hall, Lincoln Center, Upper West Side
February 15 at 3 p.m.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day and the Lunar New Year in one music-filled evening. Returning for its seventh year, The Sound of Spring concert features Orchestra Now, conducted by Jindong Cai, performing a selection of pieces that honor love and horses. Special guest soloists include winds virtuoso Yazhi Guo, along with internationally acclaimed young performers from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and the US-China Music Institute at Bard College. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased here.
Lunar New Year at the Seaport Museum
213 Water Street, South Street Seaport
February 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The South Street Seaport Museum is hosting one of the city’s first Lunar New Year celebrations of the season. Families can enjoy a day full of festivities, including free general admission to the museum, multiple lion dance performances, a parade, photo opportunities, and a variety of hands-on activities. Tickets are free, but advance registration is encouraged.
China Institute Centennial Lunar New Year Family Festival
100 Washington Street, Financial District
February 21 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Lunar New Year is extra special this year at Manhattan’s China Institute, which is celebrating 100 years of uniting cultures and fostering connections in New York City. Co-organized with the Shanghai Museum, this year’s festival features a wide range of traditions, including live musical performances, lion dances, interactive workshops, and experiential stations. General admission is $18 and tickets can be purchased here.
Altar-Making at the Tenement Museum
103 Orchard Street, Lower East Side
February 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Think!Chinatown is partnering with the Tenement Museum to celebrate the Year of the Horse with a special altar-making workshop. Guests will learn about altar elements and the art of altar-making, view the newly installed altar in the museum’s garment factory exhibit, and create their own altar with artist Alison Kuo. Tickets are $15 for museum members and $25 for the general public. You can register here.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn Museum Lunar New Year Celebration
200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights
February 15 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The Brooklyn Museum is celebrating the Year of the Horse with lively performances and hands-on activities for visitors of all ages. Festivities include a creativity lab, drop-in art-making, pop-up talks in Mandarin and English, and two lion dances. Admission is pay-what-you-wish.
Queens
Flushing Lunar New Year Parade
Union Street and 37th Avenue, Flushing
February 21 at 11 a.m.
Home to Queens’ first and largest Chinatown, Flushing’s beloved Lunar New Year Parade returns this year, drawing thousands of spectators to see vibrant costumes, floats, traditional performances, and more. The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. at Union Street and 37th Avenue, in front of the local police precinct.
Queens Center Mall’s Lunar New Year Celebration
90-15 Queens Boulevard, Elmhurst
February 21 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The Chinese FreeMasons Lion Dances will bring Lunar New Year energy to Elmhurst’s Queens Center Mall. Families are invited to enjoy a festive afternoon featuring arts and crafts, traditional performances, and more.
New York Road Runners Lunar New Year Runs
February 14, 21, and 22
NY Road Runners, the organization behind the NYC Marathon, is hosting three special Lunar New Year runs this month, offering participants a chance to gallop into the Year of the Horse. Each run takes place on a Saturday at 9 a.m.: the first at Highland Park on February 14, the second at Crocheron Park on February 21, and the third at Cunningham Park on February 22. Learn more about each event here.
Lunar New Year Celebration at the Queens Botanical Garden
43-50 Main Street, Flushing
February 21 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Celebrate the Year of the Horse at the Queens Botanical Garden with a lively lineup of cultural festivities. Guests can enjoy a lion dance, live performances, arts and crafts, and a vendors fair. Admission is free, with a suggested $5 donation, and registration is available here.
Lunar New Year Exhibit at Flushing Town Hall
137-35 Northern Boulevard, Flushing
Through March 1
Flushing Town Hall is presenting a vibrant group exhibition this Lunar New Year, featuring works by prominent artists of Asian descent. The show includes pieces by Jae Hi Ahn, Eugenie Chao, April Chong, Sei Ryun Chun, Chemin Hsiao, Sophia Chizuco, Cui Fei, Lily Honglei, Herry Koo, Stephanie S. Lee, Weihui Lu, Sui Park, Natsuki Takauji, and Yu-Whuan Wang. The exhibition celebrates the courage, vitality, and forward-moving energy of the Year of the Horse through contemporary painting, sculpture, and mixed media. It is open to the public Tuesdays through Fridays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Freezin’ Season: Lunar New Year
King Manor, 150-03 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica
February 18 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Queens’ historic King Manor is celebrating the Lunar New Year as part of its “Freezin’ Season” program series. Guests can ring in the Year of the Horse by crafting red envelope lanterns, discovering their Zodiac animal, and learning about New Year traditions. Admission is free for all ages, and advance registration is recommended. Participants will also receive a coupon for a free Kid’s Combo Meal at Raising Cane’s.
Staten Island
Snug Harbor Chinese New Year Celebration
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace
February 21 from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Snug Harbor’s Lunar New Year festivities return for 2026, filling the cultural center with colorful lion dances, arts and crafts, and more. Children of all ages are invited to join in, enjoy special treats, listen to stories, and participate in hands-on cultural activities. Tickets are $15, and children ages four and under get in free.
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