NEWSLETTER
Get set to celebrate the Lunar New Year in New York State! The Lunar, or Chinese, New Year is celebrated for 15 days, from New Year's Eve on February 17 to the Lantern Festival on March 3. 2026 marks the Year of the Horse, symbolizing energy, freedom, and bold action. Here are just a few ways you can celebrate the Lunar New Year in New York State! Credit: the_aditya_sv on Instagram
Originally published 01/04/2023 | Updated 1/29/2026
The Sound of Spring: A Chinese New Year Concert (Hudson Valley)
To celebrate the Lunar New Year, the US-China Music Institute of the Bard College Conservatory of Music will present “The Sound of Spring: A Chinese New Year Concert,” led by Maestro Jindong Cai with The Orchestra Now (TŌN) and soloists from the legendary faculty of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. This special annual event, taking place on February 14 at the Fisher Center at Bard, will showcase the wonderful diversity and artistry of Chinese symphonic music. In-person tickets: $15.
Lunar New Year at the Queens Botanical Garden (New York City)
Credit: @queensbotanicalgarden on Instagram
The Queens Botanical Garden is putting on their annual Lunar New Year celebration featuring a lion dance, cultural performances, arts and crafts, a vendors fair and more! The event will be held Saturday, February 21, from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Tickets are free and parking is $15. Pre-registration is recommended.
Lunar New Year Celebration at Lincoln Center (New York City)
Treat yourself to a special Lunar New Year performance by the New York Philharmonic on February 25 at the Wu Tsai Theater, David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center (pictured) in Manhattan! As part of the Lunar New Year Gala (a fundraiser for the Philharmonic), Elliot Leung pays homage to Chinese delicacies in selections from Chinese Kitchen, an exuberant work featuring an expanded percussion section with some unusual instruments.
Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade and Festival (New York City)
Credit: Walter Wlodarczyk for NYC & Company
On March 1, get ready for stunning visuals, tantalizing treats, and amazing performances at Chinatown's annual Lunar New Year celebration! Shop fronts are adorned in red and gold, and colorful parades and dragon dances wind through the streets (pictured). The parade, which marks its 28th anniversary this year, starts at 1 pm, making its way through the main streets of Little Italy and Chinatown in Manhattan.
Landmark On Main Street’s Lunar New Year Celebration (Long Island)
On March 1, celebrate the Year of the Horse with Landmark on Main Street in Port Washington. The event, which starts at 11am until 3pm, is presented in association with the Greater Port Washington Chinese American Association. This exciting celebration features traditional Chinese Kunju Opera performances from the New York Chinese Opera Society, a Lion dance and craft table, and a variety of presentations organized, choreographed, and presented by local residents. Admission to the event is free and open to all.
Lunar New Year 2026 at the Hudson River Museum (Hudson Valley)
Honor the Year of the Horse at the Hudson River Museum with traditional Asian arts, crafts, demonstrations, and performances for all ages on February 28 from 11am-5pm. The celebrations kick off with a colorful ceremonial lion dance, followed by a K-Pop dance, Chinese folk dance, Indonesian gamelan music, tai chi, and more. Learn origami, calligraphy, and knitting, and explore themed Family Art Workshops where you can create your own horse puppet and Lunar New Year lantern. At 2pm, attend a special showing of The Sky Tonight highlighting traditional Chinese constellations.. To round out the afternoon programming, a sogo-chum dance will be performed by the New York Korean Performing Arts Center at 4pm. All workshops and performances are free with general admission. Planetarium shows and Glenview historic home tours are ticketed.
Lunar New Year at Proctors (Capital-Saratoga)
The Chinese Community Center proudly presents its 53rd annual Lunar New Year Celebration on February 8 from 2pm-4:30pm. The vibrant gala welcomes more than a thousand attendees each year, showcasing both community talent and professional artistry. This year ushers in the Year of the Horse, a symbol of energy, strength, and vitality that inspires us to move forward with confidence and joy. Enjoy a spectacular program featuring a dynamic range of performances including: Chinese Kung Fu, Classical and folk dances, Mongolian dance, Upscale chorus, Classical opera, Traditional instrument ensemble, Children’s drama, Modern and hip-hop dance, and a Sound of Asia Piano Competition Winner Performance.
Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration at the Discovery Center of the Southern Tier (Central New York)
On Tuesday, February 17 from 11am-1pm celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year with the Discovery Center. Experience diverse and flavorful food, engage in cultural artistry, chat with members of the local Chinese Cultural Center, and join in on the parade. The event is free with regular museum admission.
Lunar New Year Festival at The Met (New York City)
Credit: @dario.nyc on Instagram
Celebrate the Year of the Horse with performances, interactive activities, and artist-led workshops for all ages at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Lunar New Year festival on February 7. The jam-packed event kicks off at 12pm until 5pm with exciting programs throughout the day including performances, interactive activities, artist-led workshops, and more. Plus, Met volunteer guides will be around for gallery chats in Mandarin, English, Spanish, and Korean. All activities are free with Museum admission and no registration is required.
Lunar New Year Celebration at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum (Hudson Valley)
Celebrate the Year of the Horse at the Mid-Hudson Discover Museum on February 17 from 12pm-3pm! Make a paper lantern craft inspired by Lunar New Year traditions and explore how this holiday is celebrated, plus enjoy the book nook featuring Lunar New Year stories. This event is included with the admission price.
Lunar New Year Celebration at the Buffalo AKG Museum (Greater Niagara)
Join the Buffalo AKG Museum and the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association for an unforgettable Lunar New Year celebration. On February 20 from 4PM-8PM, join others as you admire captivating performances, participate in interactive workshops, enjoy a medley of diverse Asian cuisine, and more! Admission is free.
Lunar New Year Festival at Monroe Community College (Finger Lakes)
Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs (APAPA) Rochester welcomes you to join their Lunar New Year Festival on February 21 from 12pm-4pm. This festival celebrates the Year of the Fire Horse, a symbol of energy, courage, and new beginnings. Enjoy a vibrant lineup of traditions and activities, including the Lion & Dragon Dance, cultural music and dance, artisan crafts, children’s workshops, storytelling, and a lively Lunar New Year Food Market. Advance registration is required, but admission is free.
Chinese New Year Celebration at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden (NYC)
Welcome the Year of the Horse at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden’s Chinese New Year Celebration on February 21! Children of all ages and their families are invited to enjoy performances, treats, tales, and traditional crafts with one of the biggest cultural celebrations in the world. The celebration starts at 12pm-3pm and includes creative programming from community partners like Chinese Theatre Works, offering two hand puppet performances. While you’re visiting, be sure to explore Snug Harbor’s New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden, one of two authentic classical outdoor Chinese gardens built in the United States. Chinese New Year Celebration admission is $15/person.
Lunar New Year Family Celebration at the Heckscher Museum of Art (Long Island)
Join the Heckscher Museum of Art on Long Island on February 21 for a Lunar New Year Celebration for the whole family! This free event, taking place from 12PM-5PM, is for all ages, where children can learn about Lunar New Year, the Year of the Horse, and Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Filipino cultures. Kids will receive a “passport” to get stamped at each country’s table, where they can participate in hands-on activities like making Chinese lanterns, meet artists, and watch live dance and martial arts demonstrations.
Chinese Theatre Works at the Long Island Children’s Museum (Long Island)
Partake in a family-friendly performance as the Chinese Theatre Works celebrates the Lunar New Year with an original “budaixi” glove puppet production that features the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. This year’s celebration offers two shows on February 14 at 11am and 1pm and stars the Horse, who presides over a jolly selection of wild puppet skits, dances, popular songs, and well known Chinese sayings that celebrate the wit and wisdom of the zodiac animals. Stick around for a hands-on post show demonstration that will make the Chinese bilingual cultural experience accessible to the even youngest audience members.
Lunar New Year at Hudson Yards (NYC)
Courtesy of Hudson Yards
Commemorate the Year of the Snake at Hudson Yards from February 4 until February 22. The celebration lineup includes live performances featuring traditional lion dance, ribbon twirling, Dunhuang dance, Shaolin Kung Fu, lantern making workshops, lucky red envelopes, and special offers and capsule collections.. The iconic Vessel will be illuminated red for the holiday. Shoppers who spend $188 or more receive a ticket to Vessel, while spending $588 or more will receive a complimentary red envelope from the tree featuring limited edition prizes.
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