Lunar New Year Events in NYC

Chinatown's annual Lunar New Year celebration features stunning visuals, tantalizing treats and impressive performances, capped off by the always fabulous lion dance. In 2025, the festivities usher in the Year of the Snake. The big parade—whose route in Manhattan’s Chinatown begins on Mott Street at Hester and moves down, heading east on East Broadway and then up Forsyth to Grand Street—takes place on February 16. A couple of weeks earlier, the Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival is held in Sara D. Roosevelt Park (January 29). Note that similar Lunar New Year events take place in the City’s other Chinatowns, including in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and Flushing, Queens, and that there are many more ways to take part in observing the holiday, as detailed below.

More to check out:

Green Tile New Year 2025

Jan 19, Industry City, Brooklyn

This social club, known for its pop-up mahjong events, is holding an afternoon-long celebration that includes its signature game plus music, food and a lion dance. Ticketed

LIC Lunar New Year Celebrations

Jan 24–Feb 23, Long Island City, Queens

LIC, home to the City's fastest-growing Asian community, holds festivities involving participating businesses, with plenty of arts, cultural and food-related activities. There are also many special Lunar New Year menu items, including set meals, dumplings, cocktails and coffees, at neighborhood spots.

Explore our guides and support New York City's Asian American communities:

Eat and Shop Your Way Through Flushing

Flushing, Queens, is known for its diverse Asian American communities. We've highlighted some popular Asian American–owned spots in the neighborhood for dining, shopping, sightseeing and exploring.

A Perfect Day in Chinatown

Manhattan's Chinatown is one of the largest in the US. With this itinerary you can take an audio-guided walking tour, weave your way through a market, sip tea and get reflexology treatment—stopping for amazing meals along the way.

Exploring Asian Culture in Sunset Park

Home to one of the largest East Asian communities in Brooklyn, Sunset Park is a lesser-known gem full of history and great food.

Exploring Asian Culture in Long Island City

Discover what the Queens community has to offer—scallion pancakes, stylish streetwear and much more.