Lunar New Year is one of our favorite winter celebrations in New York City. Although the holiday is often referred to as Chinese New Year, many Asian nations celebrate Lunar New Year. In 2026, the holiday falls on Tuesday, February 17, and city kids can mark this cultural holiday with family-friendly celebrations citywide, from Chinatown's firecracker ceremony on the holiday, to the spectacular New York City Lunar New Year Parade and Festival on Sunday, March 1.
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Lunar New Year Celebrations in NYC for Families
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Celebrate the Year of the Horse, one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, with performances, interactive activities, and artist-led workshops for all ages. Read More
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Put a spin on a MOCA tradition—help welcome the New Year by making handmade decorations to liven up the Museum. Teaching artist Yu Rong helps families transform the space with colorful creations to display during the annual Lunar New Year Family Festival! Read More
Sunday, February 15, 2026
Welcome the Year of the Horse at the Sound of Spring Chinese New Year concert. The Orchestra Now and conductor Jindong Cai perform a program in praise of love and horses—filling the Rose Theater with a joyful symphony for the whole family. Read More
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
The Better Chinatown Society's annual New Year's celebration is hosted in Sara D. Roosevelt Park with firecrackers, cultural performances, and much more. Read More
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Join the Prospect Park Alliance on Lunar New Year for family-friendly programs at Lefferts Historic House and the Prospect Park Audubon Center. Read More
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Dive into vernacular architecture spotted across East Asia, learning about history and architecture and why it remains important to our fundamental understanding of height from ancient times to the present day. Then, celebrate Lunar New Year by creating illuminated paper lanterns, decorated with that architecture in mind. Read More
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Celebrate the Year of the Horse with crafts and activities. Read More
Tuesday, February 17-Thursday, February 19, 2026
As the Lantern Festival arrives and the Year of the Horse begins, welcome new beginnings with glowing art, bold colors, and symbols of luck and freedom at CMOM. Read More
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Ring in the Year of the Horse by making a red envelope lantern, discovering your Zodiac animal, and learning more about Lunar New Year traditions. Read More
Saturday, February 21, 2026
The Asia Society welcomes the Year of the Horse with lion dances and martial arts demonstrations, New Year's music, shadow puppet crafts, and more. Read More
Saturday, February 21, 2026
The China Institute's annual festival promises an authentic and dazzling celebration highlighting the traditions of the holiday through interactive workshops and mesmerizing performances. Read More
Saturday,February 21, 2026
Welcome the Year of the Fire Horse with a Chinese New Year celebration that includes performances, treats, tales, and traditional crafts. Read More
Saturday, February 21-Sunday, February 22, 2026
Celebrate the Year of the Horse by learning about their role in the Chinese zodiac. Then, assemble and decorate a fan inspired by horses and other symbols of the holiday. Read More
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Ring in the Year of the Horse with self-discovery, transformation, and connection, including a beloved lion dance performance on Josie Robertson Plaza by the Tai Look Lion Dance Company, a Chinatown favorite. Read More
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Celebrate the Year of the Horse with a puppet show put on by the Chinese Theatre Works, Hao Bang Ah! Horse. This original, traditional Chinese glove-puppetry production features the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Read More
Sunday, March 1, 2026
A half-million spectators line the streets of Chinatown for this colorful pan-Asian procession, which includes Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Malaysian, and even Hispanic floats and cultural performances. Read More
Sunday, March 1, 2026
This charming shadow puppet show retells the classic Lunar New Year zodiac tale with animals inspired by Asian languages and pictograms. Read More
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Ring in the Year of the Horse with Chinese arts and traditions, including a museum-wide lion dance parade! Try on lion dance costumes, practice calligraphy, learn kung fu moves, and enjoy live performances celebrating the new year. Read More