Lunar New Year in New York

Lunar New Year in New York is a celebration of the beginning of a new year according to the lunar calendar. In 2025, this day falls on Wednesday January 29th and will be celebrated by many of the Asian communities in New York. There are several activities you can do while you’re in New York that are dedicated to the Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year. You can go and see the Lunar New Year Parade in Chinatown, attend a fireworks ceremony, or grab some food in one of the Asian neighbourhoods of New York.

Lunar New Year in New York

The Lunar New Year is mostly celebrated in Chinese and other Asian cultures, which is why Chinatown in New York is known for its elaborate celebrations of the New Year! Many other celebrations can also be found in several places around the city.

Chinese New Year Firecracker Ceremony

An annual fireworks ceremony is held at Sara D. Roosevelt Park, which is located near Chinatown. During the Chinese New Year Firecracker Ceremony, fireworks are set off to scare away bad spirits. There are also lots of traditional dancers, often dressed as the animals of the Chinese New Year, such as a dragon, lion or rabbit. The ceremony is free to attend and takes place on Wednesday January 29th between 11:00 and 15:30.

Lunar New Year Parade

In Chinatown, the Lunar New Year Parade takes place on February. During the parade, you can see the traditional Lion Dance, various dance groups, and other performances. The parade starts around 13:00 at Mott Street & Canal Street, and ends near Sara D. Roosevelt Park. Afterwards, you can have something to eat at one of the many restaurants in the area.

Other activities around the Lunar New Year

In addition to the festivities in Chinatown, Lunar New Year is celebrated all over New York around January 29th. For example, you can visit Hudson Yards and South Street Seaport to see the festivities with dancers and other activities, or check out the New York Philharmonic concert at the Lincoln Center.