Celebrate Chinese New Year in NYC

Get ready to ring in the Lunar New Year— February 1, 2020 marks the beginning of the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese zodiac. New York is home to a historically large Chinatown as well as a population of Chinese Americans who ensure that traditional Chinese cultural events are preserved. The Chinese New Year is the best and brightest of celebrations with parades, museums and many events that span weeks. And of course, nowhere does it quite like New York!

We highly recommend checking with individual venues for updates on Covid restrictions.

The festival is also called the Lunar New Year because it is the first day of the year according to the lunar calendar. In China the holiday also marks the end of the coldest days and is also referred to as the Spring Festival.

There are many myths around the Chinese New Year, but a favorite is that once upon a time, there was a monster named Nian (年) who came out every New Year’s Eve terrorizing the people. One boy was brave enough to stand up to the monster and fend him off— with firecrackers. According to the legend, the town celebrated the demise of the monster by setting off even more firecrackers the following day. And this explains why during Chinese New Year there are always an abundance of firecrackers. For more fun facts, check out Chinesenewyear.net

If you’re in New York with children, you won’t want to miss the Lunar New Year Festival at the Met. Come Celebrate the Year of the Tiger at the Met with art, performances, interactive activities, and artist-led workshops for children of all ages.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

1000 Fifth Ave, New York, NY

January 29, 11am-5pm

Free with Museum admissions

Welcome the Year of the Tiger with a musical celebration! The New York Philharmonic is putting on a special Lunar New Year performance with an impressive group of musicians and classical music that will highlight the joy and capture the exuberance of the start of the Lunar New Year!

Alice Tully Hall

1941 Broadway, New York, NY 10023

February 8, 7:30pm

$78-$136

This year, to ring in the Year of the Tiger, the Chinese New Year Parade and Festival will take place on Sunday, February 20, 2022. The parade is renowned for its pageantry, dancing, music and of course, firecrackers. The parade starts at 1pm and the party lasts until 4:30pm. The Lunar New Year Parade moves down Mott and Canal Streets and ends near Sara D. Roosevelt Park. For more information, including a full parade route visit betterchinatown.com.

Sara D. Roosevelt Park at Grand Street in Chinatown, NYC.

Tuesday, February 1, 11am – 3:30 pm

If you can’t wait until the 20th and would rather ring in the Lunar New Year on its actual date, Tuesday, February 1, 2022, then the Firecracker Ceremony is the place to be. Visitors will enjoy a lively firecracker show, musical performances, dancing, and more activities celebrating Chinese culture.

Sara D. Roosevelt Park at Grand Street in Chinatown, NYC.

11 am – 3:30 pm

The Museum of Chinese in America is dedicated to sharing Chinese culture and history in America. Its permanent exhibition With a Single Step: Stories in the Making of America is a great jumping off point to learn more about the last 160 years of Chinese history in NYC. The museum has two or more rotating exhibitions and absolutely merits a visit.

215 Centre Street

New York, NY 10013

The Lombardy Hotel’s timeless elegance is iconic to Midtown Manhattan. Our rooms are spacious, comfortable and thoughtfully designed to make you feel at home. We look forward to hosting you on your next visit to New York City.

*Due to Covid-19 our restaurant, cafe and gym will remain closed for a time.