Lunar New Year is right around the corner. To celebrate the year of the rat, which is said to be associated with wealth, cleverness and likability, several places throughout the city will be holding events to ring in the new year.
Here are a few ways that you can celebrate the Lunar New Year throughout New York City.
21st New Year Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival
Grand Street in Sarah D. Roosevelt Park, Manhattan
11 to 3 p.m. on Jan. 25
Kick off the Lunar New Year with a literal bang by enjoying a dazzling display of firecrackers. The event will also have food and craft vendors as well as giveaways.
Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce Lunar New Year Parade
St. George’s Church, 135-32 38th Avenue, Flushing
11 a.m. on Jan. 25
Everyone is invited to come down and march in Flushing’s annual Lunar New Year Parade. Meet down at St. George’s Church between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. to stay warm before heading to the parade site. Be sure to stick around for the reception, which will have refreshments, raffles and more.
Snug Harbor Lunar New Year Celebration
1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 25
For those who live or are venturing out to Staten Island this Lunar New Year should stop by the celebration at the Snug Harbor Cultural center & Botanical Garden. In addition to their annual parade, the event will offer storytelling, crafts and delicious food to try. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for children and free for children under three years old.
Queens Botanical Garden Lunar New Year Celebration
43-50 Main Street, Flushing
12 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 25
The Queens Botanical Garden is hosting a special day of arts & crafts, performances and activities that are fun for the entire family. Don’t forget to stop by their Lucky Plant sale to take home a plant of your own.
Lunar New Year Tinker Festival
Lewis Latimer House Museum, 34-41 137th Street, Flushing
2:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 25
This one-of-a-kind Lunar New Year festival at the Lewis Latimer House Museum offers a number of hands-on activities combining art and science for all ages. The event is free to the public, however you must RSVP on the Lewis Latimer House Museum website (ewislatimerhouse.org).
Brooklyn Children’s Museum
145 Brooklyn Avenue
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 26
Looking for some kid-friendly fun this Lunar New Year? The Brooklyn Children’s Museum has a lineup of fun activities to ring in the year of the rat. Kids can march through the museum with the Chinatown Community Young Lions, listen to a special Lunar New Year story and even make their own lion puppet. Admission is $13 per person, or free for museum members and babies 12 months old or younger.
Shadow Theater Workshops: The Art of Chinese New Year
China Institute in America, 40 Rector Street
2 to 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 26
Learn the art of shadow puppetry while exploring China’s history, folklore and more at this event in Manhattan. Chinese Theatre Works artists will introduce participants to shadow puppetry and lead them in designing and building their own shadow figures. This workshop is available to all ages and skill levels from ages 6 and up. Tickets start at $10.
Pearl River Mart at Chelsea Market
75 9th Avenue
3 to 6 p.m. on Jan. 26
Chelsea Market’s Pearl River Mart is pulling out all the stops for this year’s Lunar New Year. Stop by and enjoy ribbon dances, book signings, dumpling tastings and so much more! Entrance is free.
New York Philharmonic’s Lunar New Year Concert
David Geffen Hall, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza
7:30 p.m. on Jan. 28
The New York Philharmonic is putting on a special concert to ring in the Lunar New Year. Concert-goers can enjoy Zhou Tian’s “Gift” and the New York Premiere of Texu Kim’s ping pong–inspired “Spin-Flip.” Tickets start at $45.
Beacon Community Center Lunar New Year Family Night
John J. Pershing at I.S.220, 48th street between 8th Avenue and 9th Avenue
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 31
The fun doesn’t have to stop this weekend — on Jan. 31 the CPC Beacon Community Center at I.S. 220 is hosting their annual Lunar New Year Family Night. The event will offer free food, live performances and raffles, plus games and music for all to enjoy. Admission is free, but doors close at 7:30, so make sure you get there early!
