Lunar New Year celebrations are always popular in NYC, which has a huge Asian population, and many are virtual, including dance performances and cooking classes. Parades, fireworks and other in-person festivities are back after a Pandemic pause in 2020, even as some events continue virtually.
Put these on your calendar, whether in person or online, to celebrate the Year of the Tiger.
With one exception, everything on this NYCOTC events page is FREE and family-friendly.
Theater Performances through Sunday, Jan. 30
The Emperor’s Nightingale – Midtown
The Pan Asian Repertory Theatre celebrates the return to live theater and the celebration of the Lunar New Year with The Emperor’s Nightingale, a family-friendly stage adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s story “The Nightingale.”
Set in 18th-century China, it brings to light the youthful exploits of the future Emperor Qianlong, incorporating traditional Chinese puppetry, folk songs, and calligraphy.
- Performances are on Theater Row, 410 West 42nd St.
- Tickets are $38-$50 and support a mix of non-profit theater companies who use Theater Row spaces for music, dance, drama and musical rehearsals and performances, technical support, ticketing and more.
Saturday, Jan. 29
Lunar New Year Festival – Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)
If you want to stay in and still Celebrate the Year of the Tiger, join The Met for an all-day schedule or FREE virtual exhibits, performances, interactive activities, and artist-led workshops for all ages.
Many activities are pre-recorded for you to enjoy at your leisure, so log in when it’s convenient for you.
See the full schedule here.
Lunar New Year Celebration – Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
Join the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music with an afternoon of traditional and contemporary Chinese music, a performance of the lion dance, crafts, calligraphy, and much more. The entire family can enjoy a traditional Chinese celebration of the Year of the Tiger!
The event is held outdoors in the BKCM Garden and on the block. Masks are required. FREE
- 2pm to 4pm.
- Registration is required to attend.
Chinese New Year Family Festival - China Institute
Join the China Institute for a FREE virtual Chinese New Year Family Festival.
Experience an interactive cartooning workshop, a read-aloud story time, and a New Year art exercise to welcome The Year.
- 10am to Noon
- Registration required
NOTE - China Institute participates in the IDNYC program, which offers FREE admission to many NYC museums and attractions.
Lunar New Year Celebration – Staten Island Children’s Museum
The New York Chinese Cultural Center presents a half-hour program at the Staten Island Children’s Museum in celebration of the Year of the Tiger.
Performers demonstrate Kung Fu—including an interactive element—and perform Chinese folk dances, too.
NOTE - NYCCC is the same group which performs annually at the Times Square New Year’s Eve celebrations on Dec. 31.
- FREE with admission, 2pm to 4pm.
Tuesday, Feb. 1
Firecracker Festival – Chinatown
Kick off the Year of the Tiger with this annual festival in Sara D. Roosevelt Park. Sponsored by The Better Chinatown Society, this annual event begins the new year with a bang, setting off thousands of firecrackers to ward off evil spirits. FREE
Thursday to Saturday, Feb. 3-4-5
Lunar New Year Celebration - Brookfield Place
Ring in the Year of the Tiger at Brookfield Place during a multi-day celebration that includes a live ice carving, kids’ crafts and more. All events are FREE, no registration required.
Thursday, February 3
Live Ice Carving: 4pm – 6pm, with Okamoto Studios
Ice sculpture display open through 8pm
Friday, February 4
Ice sculpture display open from 12pm – 8pm
Saturday, February 5
Free craft kits provided by New York Chinese Cultural Center include “do it yourself” instructions on how to create your own Lunar New Year Lantern! Craft kits are first come, first served.
Live Ice Carving: 11:30am – 1pm
Ice sculpture display open through 6:30pm
Sunday, Feb. 6
Lunar New Year Celebration - Bryant Park
Two things to enjoy at Bryant Park - both FREE
Wishing Tree - follow the silk lanterns and find our Wishing Tree on the Rink Deck. Write and hang your wishes, and welcome luck and good fortune for the year to come.
- 2pm to 4pm
Lion Dance - Watch a lion dance performed by New York Chinese Cultural Center. This traditional dance is performed to bring good fortune and prosperity to viewers of all ages!
The performance starts on the Northwest corner of the Rink Deck. Find your way by spotting the silk lanterns and wishing tree
- 3pm to 3:30pm
Friday, Feb. 4 to Friday, Feb. 11
Lunar New Year Family Festival - Museum of Chinese in America
The Museum of Chinese in America is hosting a week-long FREE virtual family festival, including cooking classes, arts and crafts project for kids, such as making a paper fish, the symbol of abundance, and an online lesson to learn the famous Ribbon Dance.
Check the full festival schedule and register for each event you want to attend.
Ongoing through Sunday, Feb. 13
Lunar New Year’s Celebration – Queens Botanical Garden
The Queens Botanical Garden welcomes children for a Lunar New Year-themed day with activities including take-home craft kits, a community art project, Zodiac animal story time, and lion dance performances.
Plus, there are other opportunities to celebrate and take home lucky plants
- FREE
Sunday, Feb. 13
Chinese New Year Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival - Sara D. Roosevelt Park
Unfriendly ghosts should steer clear of Sara D. Roosevelt Park when the Better Chinatown Society lights hundreds of thousands of firecrackers to welcome the Year of the Tiger.
That’s followed by lion dances through the streets of Chinatown, decorations giveaways, plus craft vendors and food booths where you can eat traditional New Year treats. Legend has it that get your that the more dumplings you eat at the celebration, the more money you’ll make in the year ahead, so come hungry, my friends.
- FREE, 9am to 3
Sunday, Feb. 20
24th Annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade & Festival
Celebrate the year of the tiger with Better Chinatown USA at this annual celebration of the Lunar New Year in Chinatown, with the traditional Lion Dance and more.
*Please note: the parade starts at 1:00 p.m.*
Parade route: Mott and Canal to Chatham Square to East Broadway towards the Manhattan Bridge, completing on Eldridge and Forsyth Streets towards Grand Street next to Sara D. Roosevelt Park.
Festival & Booths: noon - 4:00 p.m. at Kimlau Square
- FREE, Noon to 4pm
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