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 January 28 to the Lantern Festival on February 12. 2025 marks the Year of the Snake, specifically the wood snake, which is associated with traits of wisdom, knowledge, intelligence, intuition, and creativity. 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 01/03/2025
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 January 25 at the Fisher Center at Bard, will showcase the wonderful diversity and artistry of Chinese symphonic music. This year will also feature a commission by Bard faculty member Xinyan Li along with other celebratory works to welcome in the Year of the Snake. In-person tickets: $25.
Lunar New Year Dishes at Goosefeather (Hudson Valley)
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 January 29 - February 1, drawing from modern Cantonese cuisine and using seasonal ingredients. Commemorate the Year of the Snake with a dining special that includes Char Siu Roasted Eel with eight Treasure Spice Celery Root Slaw and Mooshu Pancakes. Each guest will also receive “lucky” Satsuma oranges and a red envelope with giveaways such as complimentary appetizers, desserts, and drinks. Reservations can be made via Resy.
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 lion dance performances, zodiac crafts, demonstrations, storytime, the annual lucky plant sale, and more! The event will be held Saturday, February 8, from noon to 4 pm. Tickets are free and parking is $15. Pre-registration is recommended and ticket details are to be released soon.
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 11 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)
Credit: Walter Wlodarczyk for NYC & Company
On February 16, 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 27th 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 January 26, celebrate the Year of the Snake with Landmark on Main Street in Port Washington. The event, which starts at 2:30PM until 4:30PM, 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 show from CrazyLaugh Comedy, 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 2025 at the Hudson River Museum (Hudson Valley)
Honor the Year of the Snake at the Hudson River Museum with traditional Asian arts, crafts, demonstrations, and performances for all ages on February 1 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 slithering snake paper crafts and fú posters and learn the art of origami. Enjoy exciting performances of Chinese classical dances, Indonesian gamelan music and dance, and a demonstration of the ancient art of Tai Chi. Stick around until 2pm and witness a special showing of The Sky Tonight: The Skylore of China that features 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 Gala Show at The Egg (Capital-Saratoga)
Join the Chinese Community Center for their 52nd annual Lunar New Year show on February 2 at The Egg. Celebrate the Year of the Snake at this exciting event, which begins at 2:30pm, with an 18 program show that includes Chinese Kungfu, elegant traditional Fan and Long Sleeve dances, Mongolian dances, an upscale chorus, and a folk instrument ensemble. An authentic Peking opera will also be performing 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, January 29 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 Snake with performances, interactive activities, and artist-led workshops for all ages at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Lunar New Year festival on January 25. 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 Performance by the Syracuse Orchestra (Finger Lakes)
Welcome the Year of the Snake with a special Lunar New Year performance by the Syracuse Orchestra! Taking place on January 29 at 7PM in Inspiration Hall, experience the unique melodies, instruments, and arrangements led by conductor Ho-Yin Kwok. Tickets are $34/adult, $29/senior, and $5/college student (with ID).
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 January 31 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.
Chinese New Year Celebration at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden (NYC)
Welcome the Year of the Snake at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden’s Chinese New Year Celebration on January 25! 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 11:30AM-4PM 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 $20/person.
Lunar New Year Family Celebration at the Heckscher Museum of Art (Long Island)
Join the Heckscher Museum of Art on Long Island on January 18 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 Snake, 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. The first 100 guests will also receive a lucky red envelope with celebratory stickers inside!
Lunar New Year Story and Craft Hour at Clermont State Historic Site (Hudson Valley)
Bring the little ones to celebrate both Lunar New Year and Western New Year at Clermont State Historic Site. The event begins at 1PM with an afternoon filled with stories, snacks, and crafts focused on celebrations surrounding both Western New Year and Lunar New Year. Event is free of charge, but visitors must register in advance.
Lunar New Year at Hudson Yards (NYC)
Courtesy of Hudson Yards
Commemorate the Year of the Snake at Hudson Yards from January 17 until February 9. The celebration lineup includes a series of free traditional lion dances and ribbon twirling performances in partnership with the New York Chinese Cultural Center every Saturday and special collections and offers honoring the Year of the Snake at stores like Ray-Ban, Marc Jacobs, and Tory Burch. The iconic Vessel will be illuminated red for the holiday and tickets will be 20% off through February 13. This year, Hudson Yards also welcomes a brand new, beautiful installation, The Golden Tree, a symbol of the Lunar New Year representing good fortune, prosperity, and luck. Shoppers who spend more than $588 will receive a complimentary red envelope from the tree featuring limited edition prizes.
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