Sunday, January 22 marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Rabbit–more specifically the water rabbit.
The sign of the rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture, and those born in a year of the rabbit are believed to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded, and ingenious.
And with the Lunar New Year comes all the exciting events that take place across New York City to celebrate this monumental time!
Here are 18 exciting ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year in NYC this year:
1. Celebrate at the Lunar New Year Family Festival and other events at The Museum of Chinese in America
The Museum of Chinese in America is hosting several exciting Lunar New Year events this year. Beginning with a meet and greet with Author Katrina Moore & Illustrator Xindi Yan and a Museum Makeover with Teaching Artist Yu Rong and ending with their Lunar New Year Family Festival featuring an afternoon of festivities for the whole family!
Learn more about these events here.
Where: Museum of Chinese in America – 215 Centre St.
When: Meet and Greet – Saturday, January 14, 3p.m. – 3:45p.m. / Museum Makeover – Saturday, January 14, 2p.m. – 4p.m. / Lunar New Year Family Festival – Saturday, January 21, 2:30p.m. – 5:30p.m.
2. Traditional Lion Dances and Performances at The Shops at Hudson Yards
In partnership with the New York Chinese Cultural Center, The Shops at Hudson Yards will showcase a series of Lunar New Year celebrations including cultural performances and traditional decorations. There will also be special offers to shop including limited edition capsule collections and specialty food offerings.
Learn more at their website here.
Where: 20 Hudson Yards
When: Tuesday, January 17 – Monday, February 6
3. Lunar New Year Celebration at Olly Olly Market
Forsyth Fire Escape at Olly Olly Market will be hosting a new monthly party series, kicking off with a celebration of the Lunar New Year. The party includes custom Forsyth Fortune Cookies, a Live Lion Dance performance, and raffles with proceeds benefiting Send Chinatown Love, a non-profit that helps local mom and pop restaurants.
When: Friday, January 20, 5p.m. – 8p.m.
Where: Starrett-Lehigh Building – 601 W. 26th St.
4. Month-Long LIC Lunar New Year Celebration
The LIC Lunar New Year Celebration is returning with a month’s worth of promotions and events from 50+ local businesses and organizations. Activities and promotions range from traditional red envelope surprise giveaways to special menus and cocktails, to family-friendly mask making and “zodiac dance movement” workshops. Learn all about it here.
When: Friday, January 20 – Sunday, February 19
Where: Multiple locations
5. Learn Chinese calligraphy and experience other Chinese traditions at The Seaport
In partnership with the New York Chinese Cultural Center and the South Street Seaport Museum, The Seaport is hosting a Lunar New Year celebration combining tradition, learning, and fun activities!
Events include lion dancing and Chinese calligraphy workshops that all are welcome to join! Reserve your spot in one of the calligraphy workshops here.
When: Saturday, January 21, Lion dancing – 12:30p.m. – 1p.m. / Chinese calligraphy workshops – 1p.m., 2p.m., & 3p.m.
Where: Lion dancing – Tin Building – 96 South St. / Calligraphy workships – Seaport Museum – 12 Fulton St.
6. Experience stories of the AAPI community in NYC through photography
Head over to Flushing Town Hall for a Lunar New Year Photo Exhibition. Titled This Is Home, the exhibition tells stories of the AAPI community in NYC and abroad, including how they live, work, love, and, when needed, stand up for what they believe in. Learn more here.
Please note: All individuals must show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 and matching identification to attend the event.
Where: Flushing Town Hall Theater – 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing
When: Saturday, January 21 – Sunday, February 26
7. Lunar New Year Party at AAPI-owned BOBBLEHAUS
To celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, AAPI-owned BOBBLEHAUS is throwing a party with live music by close friend and Chinese-American rapper, Bohan Phoenix, alongside DJ Poon. Guests can also enjoy drinks by the first Asian-owned craft hard seltzer company Lunar as well as light bites by world-famous chef David Chang’s Fuku.
Where: 180 Orchard St.
When: Saturday, January 21, 7p.m. – 11p.m.
8. Leap into the prosperous Year of the Rabbit with Think!Chinatown as they reveal their new lantern art piece
Head to Chinatown for lion dancing, confetti, and lots of friendly faces as the T!C crew participates in festivities on Mott Street with the reveal of their annual Lantern Artist-in-Residency project.
Since 2019, T!C has invited an artist to interpret the iconic red lantern, which are particularly special during Lunar New Year as lanterns are lit and raised on the Fifteenth Day of Lunar New Year to mark the end of celebrations.
Learn more about it here.
Where: Mott Street
When: Sunday, January 22, 11a.m. – 1p.m.
9. Enjoy afternoon tea, dim sum bento boxes, and personal feng shui readings at the Mandarin Oriental
Head to the Mandarin Oriental this Lunar New Year for an afternoon of tea, dim sum bento boxes, and personal feng shui readings taking place in the hotel’s stylish MO Lounge. Plus, you’ll be able to take in stunning views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline.
Where: Mandarin Oriental – 80 Columbus Circle
When: Monday, January 23, 3p.m.
10. Head to T!C’s community studio to check out traditional crafts
T!C’s community studio at 1 Pike will feature folk artists who will demonstrate and sell their traditional crafts, from Xun Ye’s LNY-themed dough figurines to Becky Hsu’s spring couplets to bring good fortune to your house.
Then, head to their pop-up teahouse to wish everyone a happy new year with tea and prosperity tray.
Learn more here.
Where: T!C’s Studio – 1 Pike Street
When: Saturday, January 28, 2p.m. – 5p.m.
11. Lion dancing, lucky foods, and libations at Chelsea Market
Pearl River Mart’s annual Lunar New Year celebration will once again take place at Chelsea Market!
Head to the main concourse for a show-stopping performance by renowned lion dance troupe Wan Chi Ming Hung Gar Institute Dragon and Lion Dance Team. Then make your way to the lower level for happy hour and lucky food specials from Pearl River Mart Foods’ vendors, special guests, and more Lunar New Year treats.
Learn more on their website here.
Where: Chelsea Market – 15th and 16th Streets (between 9th and 10th Ave)
When: Saturday, January 28, 5p.m. – 7p.m.
12. Downtown Brooklyn Partnership: Lunar New Year Celebration
Ring in the Lunar New Year with traditional lion dance performances by the Choy Lay Fut Lion Dance Team and AJ the DJ. Plus, if you snap a selfie with the lion dancers and tag @downtownbrooklyn on IG, you’ll get the chance to pick up a traditional red envelope with prizes!
Where: Albee Square (Corner of Fulton & Bond Streets)
When: Saturday, January 28, 2p.m. – 5p.m.
13. Take part in Welcome to Chinatown’s Lunar New Year Weekend Fair
Local non-profit Welcome to Chinatown will host a Lunar New Year Weekend Fair this month that includes a Panda Express library, Nguyen Coffee Supply pop-up coffee shop, and small business vendors for all your shopping needs. Plus, they’ll even host a Chinatown scavenger hunt and various informational workshops. You can learn more about this event here.
Where: East Broadway Mall – 88 E Broadway
When: Saturday, January 28 & Sunday, January 29, 10a.m. – 5p.m.
14. Porcelain tea cup crafting workshop
Tea Drunk is hosting a porcelain tea cup crafting workshop including a guided tasting of two historic terroir Tea Drunk teas,
the opportunity to craft your own porcelain tea cup, and the chance to learn how the shape of your tea cup affects the perception of taste, how hand-building is distinctly different from wheel throwing, and what makes top terroir teas so spectacular.
Learn more and snag tickets here.
Where: New York Chinese Opera Society Office – 120 Broadway Suite 3650
When: Sunday, January 29, 1p.m. – 3p.m.
15. Head to one of six special Chinatown dinner parties
Welcome to Chinatown will also host a Lunar New Year dinner series throughout January and February beginning January 25, featuring chef-curated menus and holiday programming. There will even be a drag dim sum night at Jing Fong! More details will be available soon.
When: Multiple dates
Where: Multiple locations
16. Indulge in special Lunar New Year-inspired menus
Many restaurants are celebrating the Lunar New Year by offering special menu items, and they’re definitely too good to miss out on! Some restaurants include:
- Chef Guo – 19-course prix fixe menu modeled on imperial Chinese cuisine and paired with rare teas
- Chi – a new Szechuan spot bringing heat and elegance to Hell’s Kitchen
- MáLà Project – Coca-Cola Chicken and Coconut Milk Pudding
- Vestry – 6-course prix fixe menu featuring soba noodles, shrimp dumplings, and more
Where: Chef Guo – 135 E. 50th St. / Chi – 492 Ninth Ave. / MáLà Project – Multiple locations / Vestry – 246 Spring St.
17. Attend the 25th annual Lunar New Year Parade
Chinatown’s 25th annual Lunar New Year Parade is back and better than ever with dragon dancing, amazing outfits, martial art performers, and more! Taking place on Sunday, February 12, the parade will kick off at 1p.m. and head down Mott and Canal streets,ending at Grand Street near the Sara D. Roosevelt Park.
Learn all about it here.
Where: Mott and Canal streets, Chinatown
When: Sunday, February 12, 1p.m.
18. Eat multi-colored soup dumplings from Nan Xiang Xiao
Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao—named after the Nan Xiang County of Shanghai, China where “soup dumplings” (or xiao long bao) originated–is long known for their incredible soup dumplings.
They’ve been selected as Michelin-recommended Shanghainese food for nine consecutive years, and their pretty, pastel-colored soup dumplings are one of their most popular menu items!
Where: 3916 Prince St. #104 (One Fulton Square), Flushing