Credit: the_aditya_sv on Instagram

Get set to celebrate the Lunar New Year in New York State! The Lunar, or Chinese, New Year is celebrated for 16 days, from New Year's Eve on February 10 to the Lantern Festival on February 24. This year is the Year of the Dragon, specifically, the wood dragon, which symbolizes power, success, honor, and luck. Here are just a few ways you can celebrate the Lunar New Year in New York State!

Masks are encouraged, but optional in most settings per New York State guidelines. Individual businesses or attractions may require mask wearing. Call ahead and check websites and social media to make sure attractions and amenities are open and available.

Originally published 01/04/2023

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,” conducted by the Director of the US-China Music Institute Jindong Cai with The Orchestra Now (TŌN) performing. This special annual event, taking place on February 10 at the Fisher Center at Bard, will showcase the wonderful diversity and artistry of Chinese symphonic music. It will feature the famed winds master Guo Yazhi, performing a world-premiere suona concerto along with other celebratory works to welcome in the Year of the Dragon. In-person tickets: $25.

Lunar New Year Dishes at Goosefeather (Hudson Valley)

A close-up of a woman's pulling long life noodles from a bowl

Credit: @youngskeletons via @goosefeatherny on Instagram

Enjoy a delicious Lunar New Year celebration at Goosefeather, on the grounds of Tarrytown House Estate. In addition to the restaurant’s regular menu, celebrated chef Dale Talde is serving up a special feast from February 10-17, drawing from modern Cantonese cuisine and using seasonal ingredients. Commemorate the holiday with special offerings including a nightly lobster special, red envelopes with prizes, and “lucky” Satsuma oranges to take home. Red envelopes include prizes such as dinner for two at Goosefeather, complimentary food and beverage items, a signed copy of Dale Talde’s “Asian American” Cookbook, and more. 

Lunar New Year at the Queens Botanical Garden (New York City)

Dragon puppets at a Lunar New Year parade at the Queens Botanical Garden

Credit: @queensbotanicalgarden on Instagram

The Queens Botanical Garden is putting on their annual Lunar New Year celebration featuring lion dance performances, zodiac crafts, demonstrations, storytime, the annual lucky plant sale, and more! The event will be held Sunday, February 18, from noon to 4 pm. Pre-registration is recommended and ticket details are to be released soon.

Lunar New Year Celebration at Lincoln Center (New York City)

A view of three Lincoln Center buildings at night

Treat yourself to a special Lunar New Year performance by the New York Philharmonic on February 20 at the Wu Tsai Theater, David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center (pictured) in Manhattan! Enhance your experience by attending the Lunar New Year Gala (a fundraiser for the Philharmonic), including a pre-concert reception, prime concert seating, and a post-concert seated dinner with the artists.

Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade and Festival (New York City)

Colorful red, pink, white and yellow Chinese dragon puppet with NYC street in background

Credit: Walter Wlodarczyk for NYC & Company

On February 25, 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 26th 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 February 25, celebrate the Year of the Dragon with Landmark on Main Street in Port Washington. The event, which starts at 11 am, is presented in association with the Glow Culture Center in Flushing. It includes interactive crafts for all ages, traditional Lunar New Year food and snacks, and a live performance with traditional Chinese music. Admission to the event is free and open to all.

Lunar New Year 2024 at the Hudson River Museum (Hudson Valley)

The exterior of the Hudson River Museum

Honor the Year of the Dragon at the Hudson River Museum with traditional Asian arts, crafts, demonstrations, and performances for all ages on February 17 from 11am-5pm. The celebrations kick off with a colorful ceremonial lion dance. Bring the little ones for family art workshops where you’ll make dragon drums and puppets, and learn the art of origami. Enjoy exciting performances of Chinese folk dances, Indonesian gamelan music and dance, and a demonstration of the ancient art of Tai Chi. To round out the afternoon programming, a samulnori piece will be performed by the New York Korean Performing Arts Center youth group. Stick around until 2pm and witness a special showing of The Sky Tonight: The Skylore of China that features traditional Chinese constellations. All workshops and performances are free with general admission. Planetarium shows and Glenview historic home tours are ticketed.

Lunar New Year Gala Show at The Egg (Capital-Saratoga)

The Egg

Join the Chinese Community Center for their 50th Annual Lunar New Year show on February 11. Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at this exciting event, which begins at 2:30pm, with a 16 program show that includes Chinese Kungfu, elegant traditional Fan and Long Sleeve dances, a beautiful choir, and signature Tibetan dancing. A Peking opera performer will also be singing a duet alongside a classical Italian opera singer, and modern instrumentals and hip hop dances will also be part of the show. 

Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration at the Discovery Center of the Southern Tier (Central New York)

On Saturday, February 10 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 Buffalo History Museum (Greater Niagara)

Commemorate the Lunar New Year at the Buffalo History Museum with captivating performances, interactive workshops, a medley of diverse Asian cuisines, and more. The festival takes place February 4 from 12pm-4pm and aims to capture the essence of tradition, unity, and joy through art, food, dance, music, and education. A $20 donation is suggested to attend.  

Lunar New Year Festival at The Met (New York City)

The front of the Metropolitan Museum of ArtCredit: @dario.nyc on Instagram

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with performances, interactive activities, and artist-led workshops for all ages at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Lunar New Year festival on February 3. The jam-packed event kicks off at 11am until 5pm with a Dragon Dance from the Wan Chi Ming Hung Gar Institute and features exciting programs throughout the day. Express yourself with a guided calligraphy workshop, create your own paper dragon or lucky lantern, watch a budaixi performance (traditional Chinese glove puppetry), listen to the poetic traditions of ancient China, and much 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. 


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