What to know about Lunar New Year and where to celebrate around New York City

It’s almost time again to ring in the Lunar New Year, and New York City is gearing up for the ultimate celebration, as well as many celebrations throughout the boroughs!

This year, Lunar New Year will celebrate Year of the Snake. On Feb. 16, Chinatown will celebrate with its annual Lunar New Year Parade .

Starting at 1 p.m. that day, spectators can head to Mott and Grand streets to watch as grand floats, lion dancers and other live performances throughout the parade. From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., New Yorkers can also explore the many festival booths that will be set up for the celebration on Bayard Street between Mulberry and Mott streets.

Meanwhile, New York City will also be celebrating the Year of the Snake with several events across the boroughs. Check out these Lunar New Year events happening in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx.

Manhattan

27th Annual Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival
Where: Sara D. Roosevelt Park at Chrystie and Grand Streets
When: Jan. 29, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Price: Free

Get an early start to Lunar New Year during Chinatown’s annual Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival.

Lunar New Year at The Seaport
Where: Tin Building, 96 South St., and Seaport Museum, 207 Water St.
When: Feb. 1, 12 to 4:45 p.m.
Price: Free with RSVP

The Seaport is kicking off Lunar New Year with fun for the whole family. At the Tin Building, guests can watch lion dances, and the Seaport Museum will host calligraphy workshops. Plus, throughout the event, families can take part in photo ops and making Chinese lion chains.

Lunar New Year Family Festival
Where: Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre St.
When: Feb. 1, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m.
Price: $7.18, free for children under 2

For some family-friendly fun, the Museum of Chinese in America’s Lunar New Year Family Festival is a must. Those who attend will enjoy plenty of snake-themed activities and workshops, including ribbon dancing, lion dances, noodle pulling and more.

Lunar New Year Celebration
Where: Lincoln Center, David Geffen Hall, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Price: Free, first come, first served

Lincoln Center is celebrating the Year of the Snake with all kinds of activities. The day will include story time with The ABC Digest, a special Lunar New Year presentation, a performance from the Korean Traditional Music & Dance Center, a DJ set and lion dances. Plus, you can shop from food and product vendors throughout the day.

Lunar New Year Celebration
Where: Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, between Overlook and the Rink Deck, between 40th and 42nd Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues
When: Feb. 2, 10 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.
Price: Free

The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park is still in full swing, continuing its programming with a Lunar New Year celebration. Families can come through and enjoy a kung-fu demonstration, make and take home a craft and watch a Lion Dance and more cultural performances throughout the day.

Lunar New Year Fair
Where: Gotham Park, Rose Street under the Brooklyn Bridge
When: Feb. 7-9, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 7-8, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 9
Price: Free admission

Come and celebrate Year of the Snake at Gotham Park! All weekend long, shop from 17 vendors that truly embody Lunar New Year, from legacy Chinatown shops to new entrepreneurs.

Lunar New Year Extravaganza at Chelsea Market
Where: Chelsea Market, 75 9th Ave.
When: Feb. 9, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Price: Free admission

Chelsea Market is ringing in Year of the Snake with a day of Lunar New Year fun. Visitors can take part in watching live performances and cultural activities, as well as food and beverages that are available for purchase. Plus, the event will have opportunities to play mahjong with a limited number of free tables available to play. Reserved mahjong tables are available for purchase.

Lunar New Year with the New York Philharmonic
Where: Wu Tsai Theater, David Geffen Hall, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza
When: Feb. 11, 7 p.m.
Price: Tickets start at $71

The New York Philharmonic is hosting a special Lunar New Year concert on Feb. 11, featuring South Korean violinist Inmo Yang and conductor Tianyi Lu. The night has the option to join in NY Phil’s Lunar New Year Gala Evening honoring Angela Chen, which includes a cocktail reception, prime concert seating and dinner.

There are plenty of great events to celebrate the Lunar New Year this year.Photo by Eryn Hatzithomas

Brooklyn

Lunar New Year Celebration
Where: Atlantic Terminal Mall – Main Level, 139 Flatbush Ave.
When: Jan. 31, 3 to 5 p.m.
Price: Free

Immerse yourself in Lunar New Year fun at the Atlantic Terminal Mall. The day will include traditional Chinese dances, cultural performances and a calligraphy brush painting workshop hosted by the New York Chinese Cultural Center.

SSSNAKESSS: A Lunar New Year Celebration and Mahjong Tournament

Where: Ace Hotel Brooklyn, 252 Schermerhorn St.
When: Jan. 31, 7 to 11 p.m.
Price: Free

Celebrate Year of the Snake with a night of friendly competition and fun! At SSSNAKESSS, guests can take part in a bracket-style mahjong tournament, make your own Lunar New Year-inspired mask, and enjoy live performances from Trevor Van de Velde and DJ and saxophone duo Katty+Jin.

Celebrate Lunar New Year

Where: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave.
When: Feb. 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Price: Included in General Admission, $15 ($14 for seniors, free for children under 1)

Give your kids an early education about Lunar New Year at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. The event will include storytelling with authors Yobe Qiu and Ran Wei, live music and dance performances, lion dance parades, snake-themed activities and Kung Fu and calligraphy workshops.

Brooklyn Lunar New Year Celebration & Prosperity Street Festival
Where: 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, between 50th and 60th Streets
When: Feb. 1, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Price: Free

This free event, hosted by the Better Brooklyn Association, will feature live performances, booths with food and products available for purchase, and plenty of family-friendly activities. Be sure to check out the main stage, located at 8th Avenue and 51st Street.

Lunar New Year Celebration
Where: City Point BKLYN, 445 Albee Square West
When: Feb. 1, 12 to 2 p.m.
Price: Free

City Point BKLYN is ringing in Year of the Snake with a fun-filled day, including kid-friendly crafts, a balloon hut and more. Families are encouraged to wear red for the celebration and for a chance to win a gift card to a local business. The day will also include Lion Dances by Choy Lay Fut and DJ Boogie rocking on the plaza at Albee Square.

Brooklyn 18th Avenue Lunar New Year Parade
Where: Starts at 18th Avenue & 61st Street, ends at 83rd Street
When: Feb. 2, 11 a.m.
Price: Free

Adding to the parade festivities, Brooklynites can line up along 18th Avenue to celebrate Year of the Snake. The parade is organized by he Chinese American Social Services Center and Councilmember Susan Zhuang’s office.

2nd Annual Brooklyn Lantern Festival Parade

Where: Parade route: 8th Avenue & 60th Street, moving along 7th Avenue to 50th Street, turning onto 9th Avenue, and returning to 8th Avenue & 50th Street
When: Feb. 9, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Price: Free

Rounding out Lunar New Year Parades in Brooklyn is the second annual Brooklyn Lantern Festival Parade. Come by and check out lantern floats, traditional Chinese arts, and performances. Be sure to swing by the main stage, located at 8th Avenue and 60th Street.

Try your hand at mahjong this Lunar New Year.Photo via Getty Images

Queens

Flushing Lunar New Year Parade and Celebration
Where: Starts at the 109th Precinct, 37-05 Union St., Flushing, and moves through Union Street, Sanford Avenue, Main Street, 39th Avenue, and Queens Crossing
When: Feb. 1, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Price: Free

Ahead of the Lunar New Year, Flushing will celebrate the Year of the Snake with a special parade, including lion dances and cultural performances. The parade is sponsored by the Flushing Chinese Business Association.

2025 Lunar New Year Celebration Party
Where: The Shops at SkyView Center, 40-24 College Point Blvd., Flushing
When: Feb. 1, 2 to 4 p.m.
Price: Free

After the parade, head over to the Skyview Center for more Lunar New Year fun. The day will include New Year wishing tree decorating, red envelope raffles, a vintage-style photo booth, a “Dress to Impress” vintage Qipao style contest and traditional snack tastings.

Queens Center Mall Lunar New Year Celebration

Where: Queens Center Mall Level 2 near Starbucks, 90-15 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst
When: Feb. 1, 1 to 3 p.m.
Price: Free

The Queens Center Mall is hosting a special Lunar New Year celebration featuring The Chinese FreeMasons Lion Dancers, performances from a local singer and crafts with the Asian American Arts Alliance.

Lunar New Year: Welcoming the Year of the Snake

Where: Queens Museum, Flushing Meadows Corona Park
When: Feb. 2, 1 to 4 p.m.
Price: Pay-What-You-Wish Admission, suggested donation for adults is $8, $6 for seniors and students, free for children 12 and under

The New York Chinese Cultural Center (NYCCC) will be bringing back its stellar Lunar New Year programming to the Queens Museum. The event will include live performances, family-friendly celebrations and workshops highlighting ink brush painting and Chinese calligraphy.

Glow Snake Lunar New Year Celebration: Chinese Variety Show

Where: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing
When: Feb. 2, 1 to 2:30 p.m., doors open at 12:30 p.m.
Price: Tickets start at $10.38

Flushing Town Hall is hosting a huge celebration for Lunar New Year, complete with a parade, a live show and a fair. The day will feature performances from Peking Opera by the Oriental Operatic Artists Association, Sichuan Face Changing, iconic Lion Dances and so much more.

Lunar New Year Celebration

Where: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing
When: Feb. 8, 12 to 4 p.m.
Price: Free admission, suggested $5 donation, Parking $15

Celebrate The Year of the Snake with the Queens Botanical Garden! Throughout the day, guests can enjoy lion dances, cultural performances, vendors, and arts and crafts. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Plus, click here to check out all of these events hosted by the Queens Public Library.

Photo via Getty Images

Bronx

Lunar New Year: The Snake!

Where: Soundview Library, 660 Soundview Ave.
When: Jan. 29, 3:30 p.m.
Price: Free

Join the team at the Soundview Library to paint your very own mini snakes while discussing the importance of Lunar New Year and the meaning behind the Chinese zodiac. Ideal for ages 13-18.

Lunar New Year Craft for Kids

Where: Westchester Square Library, 2521 Glebe Ave.
When: Jan. 29, 4 p.m.
Price: Free

For the kiddos, learn about Lunar New Year and create a lantern to bring home and celebrate. Ideal for kids aged 6-12.

Kid’s Crafts

Where: Grand Concourse Library, 155 East 173rd St.
When: Jan. 30, 3 p.m.
Price: Free

Here’s another opportunity for your child to paint their own paper lantern in honor of Lunar New Year. Ideal for ages 6-12.

Lunar New Year Craft: Year of the Snake

Where: Allerton Library, 2740 Barnes Ave.
When: Jan. 30, 4 p.m.
Price: Free

Join the library staff in creating a craft celebrating Year of the Snake. Ideal for ages 6-12, pre-registration at the library is required.

Lunar New Year Celebration: Year of the Snake

Where: Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture, 450 Grand Concourse
When: Feb. 11, 11 a.m.
Price: Free

Hostos Center will be hosting a grand spectacle this Lunar New Year, featuring the acclaimed Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company. Known for their acrobatics and and skilled dancers and musicians, the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company will ring in Year of the Snake in style.

Read More: https://www.amny.com/lifestyle/holidays/