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Lunar New Year in NYC: Ring in the ‘Year of the Dragon’ at these great events

Lunar New Year celebration in Queens
There are plenty of great events to celebrate the Lunar New Year this year, which is the year of the dragon.
Photo by Eryn Hatzithomas

There are many Lunar New Year events in NYC planned this month to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. New Yorkers can celebrate the holiday, which begins on Feb. 10 this year, with dance parties, festivals, family activities and more, including the ever-popular Lunar New Year Parade in Chinatown at the end of the month.

Check out these Lunar New Year events in NYC happening in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx:

Manhattan 

Lunar New Year at Lincoln Center 

WHERE: David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, 61 W. 62 St.
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m.
Celebrate Lunar New Year with two days of fun. There will be a DJ on Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. followed by a family-friendly party on Feb. 10 at 11 a.m.
WANT TO GO? General admission is free on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Lunar New Year at Hudson Yards

WHERE: Hudson Yards, between 10 and 12 Avenues from W. 30 to W. 34 Streets.
WHEN: Select dates through Feb. 12
See traditional lion dances and ribbon twirling performances from the New York Chinese Cultural Center on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. Feel like browsing some stores? Shop limited-edition capsule collections and special offers at Xing Fu Tang, Piaget, Bronx Brewery, Coach and others.
WANT TO GO? Check the website for more information. 

Lunar New Year Lantern Reveal

WHERE: Mott Street
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 10, 11 am. – 1 p.m.
Join Think!Chinatown on the first day of Lunar New Year for the reveal of its annual Lantern Artist-in-Residency Project. You’ll see a group from the organization parading along Mott Street with the new lantern. There will be lion dancing and lots of confetti, too.
WANT TO GO? Check the website for more information. 

New Year Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival

WHERE: Sara D. Roosevelt Park at Grand Street
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
WANT TO GO? Free. 

Dragonpalooza 2024 Lunar New Year Party

WHERE: Olly Olly Market, 601 W. 26 St.
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Get ready for a Lunar New Year party that’s set to be a night packed with lots of exciting festivities, including DJ music and performances, yummy food, an open bar with special cocktails, and prizes.
WANT TO GO? $78

MOCA Lunar New Year Mixer

WHERE: Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre St. 

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 15, 6:30 – 9 p.m.
The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a time for renewal, celebration and ushering in fortune and prosperity. Celebrate at this event that will feature a show by drag artist Angel Au, a concert by the band P.H.O. and music beats by DJ Aspirin. Each ticket includes one drink, followed by a cash/Venmo bar.
WANT TO GO? $5. 

Model Majority’s Annual Lunar New Year Comedy Show

WHERE: The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal St.
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 17, 7:30 p.m.
Model Majority is an Asian American sketch comedy team, and they’re back with their annual Lunar New Year show, this year featuring a fiery night of dragon-filled fun and comedy. There will be special guest performers, and audience members will get red envelopes and goodies in celebration of the holiday.
WANT TO GO? $42

Lunar New Year comedy show cast
Have a laugh for the Lunar New Year at the Model Majority’s comedy show at The Players Theater in the Village on Feb. 17.Model Majority/ Horacio Gutierrez

Lunar New Year Celebration at the Seaport

WHERE: South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton St.
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 17, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Enjoy a Lunar New Year celebration packed with activities, including lion dance performances, calligraphy and maritime-inspired crafts presented in collaboration with the New York Chinese Cultural Center.
WANT TO GO? Free.

Lunar New Year Pop-Up Teahouse

WHERE: Think!Chinatown Studio, 1 Pike St.
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 18, 2 – 5 p.m.
Gather your friends and family to celebrate Lunar New Year at this cozy studio and pop-up teahouse. Folk artists will demonstrate and sell their traditional crafts. Enjoy freshly brewed tea and prosperity tray goodies.
WANT TO GO? Check the website for more information. 

Lunar New Year with the New York Philharmonic

WHERE: Wu Tsai Theater, David Geffen Hall, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m
Have a musical Lunar New Year by celebrating the Year of the Dragon with the New York Philharmonic and guest artists.
WANT TO GO? Tickets start at $60

The 26th Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade and Festival

WHERE: Chinatown
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 25, 1 p.m.
It’s time for the famous Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade, which includes an exciting festival in the heart of the neighborhood. Festival booths will be on Bayard Street between Mott and Mulberry Streets.
WANT TO GO? Free. 

Lunar New Year parade in Chinatown
The annual Lunar New Year parade and festival in Chinatown always draws a huge crowd.File photo/Dean Moses

Brooklyn

Lunar Eclipse Dance Music Experience

WHERE: Brooklyn Hangar, 2 52 St.
WHEN: Select dates this month through Feb. 18.
This three-week electronic dance music experience celebrates Lunar New Year and features a lineup of renowned DJs including Alesso, Rezz, Tiësto, RL Grime, Zedd, and ISOxo and Knock2.
WANT TO GO? See dates and ticket information on the website. 

Brooklyn Botanic Garden Lunar New Year Plants Tour

WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 150 Eastern Parkway
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 8, 1 – 2:15 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Enjoy a tour of the garden’s Steinhardt Conservatory, and discover Asian fruits and plants associated with the Lunar New Year. These include citrus, bamboo and ginger. The tour is in Cantonese and English.
WANT TO GO? Free with garden admission ($18; $12, seniors; free for children younger than 12). 

Brooklyn Children’s Museum Lunar New Year Celebration

WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave.
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 11, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Kids will learn about Lunar New Year through storytelling, live music, calligraphy workshops and a rooftop lion dance parade led by the Chinatown Community Young Lions.
WANT TO GO? $15; free for children younger than 1

Lunar New Year Celebration at Atlantic Terminal

WHERE: Atlantic Terminal Mall, 139 Flatbush Ave.
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 13, 3 – 5 p.m.
Enjoy traditional Chinese dances and performances by the New York Chinese Cultural Center. Delight in a festive ambiance that includes lots of vibrant decorations.
WANT TO GO? Free.

Lunar New Year Celebration with Hachette Book Group

WHERE: Hana House, 345 Adams St.
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 15, 6 – 9 p.m.
Join Hachette Book Group and Kundiman, a nonprofit organization that supports writers and readers of Asian American literature, for this Lunar New Year party. Hosted by Youngmi Mayer, the event will feature readings and book signings, as well as food and drinks from local vendors.
WANT TO GO? Free.

Queens

Lunar New Year Parade in Flushing

WHERE: 37 Avenue and Union Street
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
This fun, vibrant and lively parade will mark the start of Lunar New Year in the diverse community of Flushing. See colorful floats, dragon dances and performances. There will also be lots of markets filled with festive goodies.
WANT TO GO? Free. 

Lunar New Year 2024 at Culture Lab LIC

WHERE: Culture Lab LIC at The Plaxall Gallery, 5-25 46 Ave.
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 10, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
See “Year of the Dragon,” a gallery exhibition featuring works by Asian artists. Also enjoy fun games, such as Mahjong, and live performances.
WANT TO GO? Tickets start at $17.85; free for children younger than 6.

Lunar New Year Celebration

WHERE: Queens Museum, in Flushing Meadows Corona Park
WHEN: Sunday, Feb 11, 1 – 4 p.m. 

The New York Chinese Cultural Center (NYCCC) returns to the museum with its signature program that celebrates Lunar New Year. The very popular event will feature folk dances, lion and dragon dance, Peking Opera and traditional arts and crafts. There will also be a performance program starring professional artists and students from NYCCC’s School of the Arts.
WANT TO GO? Free, but advance registration is required. 

Year of the Dragon Celebration with Glow Cultural Center

WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd.
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 11, 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Enjoy a cultural bazaar and performances featuring umbrella juggling by two-time Guinness World Record holder Lina Liu and Chinese acrobat Yang Xiao. There will also be a puppet show from Chinese Theatre Works and more.
WANT TO GO? Prices vary.  

Lunar New Year Celebration

WHERE: Queens Place Mall, 8801 Queens Blvd.
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 14, 3 – 5 p.m.
Ring in the Year of the Dragon with a variety of cultural performances that celebrate Lunar New Year.
WANT TO GO? Free. 

Lunar New Year Celebration at the Botanical Garden

WHERE: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St.
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 18, 12 – 4 p.m.
Enjoy an afternoon of Lunar New Year fun at the Queens Botanical Garden. The event will feature a lion dance, traditional Chinese music, a paper-cutting demonstration and workshop, and a Lunar New Year craft activity led by the garden’s education department.
WANT TO GO? Admission is free; $15 event parking will be in effect.

Bronx

Family Art Project: Fan of Lunar New Year

WHERE: Wave Hill, 4900 Independence Ave.
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 10-11, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Embrace creativity and the environment at this Lunar New Year event for families. Learn about the role of Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac, and then create a fan inspired by “dragons” in nature, such as lizards, snakes and other cool creatures.
WANT TO GO? Free with admission ($10; $6, seniors; $4 ages 6-18)

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company Lunar New Year Celebration

WHERE: Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 18, 3 p.m.

Celebrate Lunar New Year at this performance featuring traditional and contemporary Chinese dances, as well as acrobatics, vibrant costumes and music.
WANT TO GO? $12; $10, seniors, $5, ages 2-17

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