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Lunar New Year is one of New York's most anticipated annual events, a joyous celebration packed with dancing dragons, loud firecrackers, stunning ensembles, delicious food and more. We officially rang in the Year of the Fire Horse on Tuesday, February 17 but the spirited festivities continue throughout the month, all leading up to Chinatown’s big Lunar New Year Parade on March 1. If you want to get in on the collective cultural party, here are five fun Lunar New Year events happening this weekend in NYC.
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Five ways to celebrate Lunar New Year in NYC this weekend
1. LES After Dark: Year of the Horse
If you want to extend your Lunar New Year celebrations into the evening hours, head up to the rooftop bar UNLISTED on the top floor of UNTITLED Hotel for LES After Dark: Year of the Horse. Taking place on Saturday, February 21 from 8pm to 11pm, the festive evening will feature music by resident DJ Ezzek, Year of the Horse themed cocktails (like a sherry-splashed Bamboo Horse Spritz, a Golden Hoof Old Fashioned and a Fire House Highball made with your choice of Japanese whiskey or blended Scotch), and special Water Magic Fortune Telling—just drop the paper in water to reveal your 2026 fortune!
2. China Institute's Lunar New Year Family Festival
Gather the whole family for this interactive Lunar New Year celebration at the China Institute — on Saturday, February 21, the day-long festivities will kick off with a lion dance and a music performance by Echos of China Ensemble, followed by a series of experiential stations and interactive workshops. If you're interested in ancient Chinese culture, you'll be able to learn more about fan making, traditional puzzles, lantern riddles, Yuan Bao Tea, and many other activities. Check out the hour-by-hour schedule here.
3. Crazy Talented Asians & Friends' 6th Animated Shorts Festival
Spotlighting short films created by Asian American and Asian filmmakers from across the globe, this film showcase will take over Flushing Town Hall on Saturday, February 21, with small-but-mighty titles like Bride of the Wind by Lupin Kim, ADHDesigner by Zepei Zhang, Brocolopolis by Rehan Khan and Charlotte Foster, and Pond Kings by Shijin Wang, among others. Attendees are invited to join the post-festival mixer that follows at 6:30pm to meet with the artists, jurors, and professionals from the animation industry.
4. Lunar New Year at City Point
Co-hosted by Brooklyn Bridge Parents and Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, City Point's annual Lunar New Year celebrations will transform the retail space into a festive hub of family-friendly activities, live cultural performances, themed crafts, and special food offerings, all free to the public. On Saturday, February 21 from 11am to 1pm, visitors can enjoy up-close performances by New York’s premier Choy Lay Fut Lion Dance Team. And from noon on, don't miss out on $1 dumplings from select vendors inside DeKalb Market Hall.
5. Lincoln Center celebrates Lunar New Year
Take in all of the exhilarating energy of the Lunar New Year at Lincoln Center this weekend. At David Geffen Hall on Sunday, February 22 from 11am to 3pm, the celebratory schedule will include dance performances from Tai Look Lion Dance Company, traditional Korean music by Insun Park & Generals, hands-on arts and crafts with Shanghai Museum, a K-pop dance party from Brooklyn-based collective BIAS with DJ KA WAI and Not Shy Dance Crew, a family-friendly storytime session with award-winning author Monique Truong and, of course, plenty of delicious food to savor.