The best things to do for Lunar New Year (a.k.a. Chinese New Year)

Chinatown’s annual Lunar (Chinese) New Year Parade is back on March 1, 2026, with dragon dancing, stunning outfits, martial art performers and more. After you've danced among the firecrackers, make sure to check out other fun things to do in the area such as the best karaoke in Chinatown or delicious Chinese restaurants. 

Head to Chinatown for the Lunar New Year Parade, which heads down Mott Street to Chatham Square to East Broadway toward the Manhattan Bridge, completing on Forsyth Street near Grand Street and Sara D. Roosevelt Park. For more information, visit betterchinatown.com.

Gallop into the Lunar New Year at the Museum of Chinese in America with an energizing evening of Taiwanese mahjong, musical performances, Asian-American refreshments (Catmint Wheel Cake, Rose’s Pineapple Shorts) and more. MOCA will celebrate the Year of the Horse on Thursday, February 12, with Pocket Chinese Almanac authors and frequent MOCA collaborators Joanna C. Lee and Ken Smith giving a look at the year ahead, Chinese metaphysics practitioner Julie Huang leading a hands-on calendar workshop, instructor Theresa Hong guiding participants through the ins and outs of Taiwanese mahjong, and current MOCA resident artist Yoyo Heath-Hsiao bringing the space to life with a music performance. Guests will also have the opportunity to explore MOCA’s captivating exhibitions.

The Orchestra Now and conductor Jindong Cai will ring in the Year of the Horse on February 15 at "The Sound of Spring," featuring guest appearances by winds virtuoso Yazhi Guo, plus young performers from the legendary Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and the groundbreaking US-China Music Institute at Bard College. Be sure to arrive up to one hour before curtain for the ever-popular Chinese instrument demonstration and Chinese New Year activities, courtesy of the US-China Music Institute. Check it all out at the Rose Theater of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall. 

To ring in the Year of the Horse, join the Tenement Museum and Think!Chinatown for a special workshop on altar-making. Held on Monday, February 23 from 6pm to 8pm, participants in the workshop will learn about the elements of altars and alter-making and see the newly installed altar in the Museum's garment factory exhibit, which tells the story of the Wongs, a Chinese immigrant family that moved to New York City in 1965. After learning more about the practice of altar-making, you'll then get hands-on guidance from artist Alison Kuo in a craft-making session for a home altar.

Celebrate Lunar New Year with the largest Mahjong night we’ve ever hosted at Time Out Market Union Square.

On February 24 from 5–9pm, we’re teaming up with The New York Games to transform the market into a lively Mahjong party filled with energy, tradition, and community. Whether you’re a seasoned player or completely new to the game, this night is all about coming together, learning, and celebrating the season.

Expect multiple Mahjong tables, welcoming hosts to guide gameplay, and a vibrant, social atmosphere that invites you to jump in, watch, or cheer from the sidelines. Pair the games with great food and drinks from across the market and make a night of it.

What to Expect

• A large-scale Mahjong setup with multiple tables

• Hosts on hand to teach rules and help start games

• A festive Lunar New Year atmosphere

• Full access to food and drinks throughout the market

Free to attend. Games available on a first-come basis.

Get ready for an evening of culture, cuisine, cocktails and celebration at this Lunar New Year Gala at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music. On February 26, the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company will take to the stage for a colorful and acrobatic performance honoring the Year of the Horse, along with live instrumental music from Ahn Trio with Tae Hong Park. Enjoy modern Asian cuisine by catering partner Saffron 59, as well as special apperances by guests like Lori Tan Chinn, Perry Yung and Jamie Guan. 

On Sunday, March 1, Pearl River Mart and Chelsea Market will host their Annual Lunar New Year Extravaganza, welcoming the Year of the Horse with a free, full-day celebration inside the renowned food hall. 

Now in its ninth year, the event will kick off with ribbon dancing from the New York Chinese Cultural Center on the main concourse in front of Pearl River Mart, followed by lion dancing from the Wan Chi Ming Hung Gar lion and dragon dance team. The spirited afternoon will be filled with mahjong lessons, red envelope and chopstick activities with Sylvia Chen (author of Sparkles for Sunny and Tricky Chopsticks), personalized calendar readings from Chinese metaphysics practitioner Julie Huang (creator of the Glow Up Golden calendar), and more.

Food and beverage offerings from popular Pearl River Mart Foods vendors like Mao's Bao, Kimbap Lab, Tea & Milk, and Maxi's Noodle will be available for purchase.

A collaboration between Abrons Arts Center and Wing on Wo’s The W.O.W. Project, "From Chinatown, with Love" honors and supports Chinatown businesses at the start of each Lunar New Year. Along with incentives to explore the neighborhood retailers (such as Jade Crystal Craft, Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, Bok Lei Po Trading and more), this year's collab includes the new exhibition Storefronts as Sites of Cultural Resistance. Running through March 22, the exhibit was designed by Midnight Project and features the Letterform Archive, Cynthia Yuan Cheng & Sophie Wang, Mischelle Moy and Singha Hon, chronicling "interdependence and community support from Chinatown New York to Chinatown San Francisco."