Get set to celebrate the Lunar New Year in New York State! The Lunar, or Chinese, New Year is celebrated for 15 days, from New Year’s Eve on January 28 to the Lantern Festival on February 12. 2025 marks the Year of the Snake, specifically the wood snake, which is associated with traits of wisdom, knowledge, intelligence, intuition, and creativity. Here are just a few ways you can celebrate the Lunar New Year in New York State! Credit: the_aditya_sv on Instagram

Originally published 01/04/2023 | Updated 01/03/2025

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, the US-China Music Institute of the Bard College Conservatory of Music will present “The Sound of Spring: A Chinese New Year Concert,” led by Maestro Jindong Cai with The Orchestra Now (TŌN) and soloists from the legendary faculty of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. This special annual event, taking place on January 25 at the Fisher Center at Bard, will showcase the wonderful diversity and artistry of Chinese symphonic music. This year will also feature a commission by Bard faculty member Xinyan Li along with other celebratory works to welcome in the Year of the Snake. In-person tickets: $25.

Credit: @queensbotanicalgarden on Instagram

The Queens Botanical Garden is putting on their annual Lunar New Year celebration featuring lion dance performances, zodiac crafts, demonstrations, storytime, the annual lucky plant sale, and more! The event will be held Saturday, February 8, from noon to 4 pm. Tickets are free and parking is $15. Pre-registration is recommended and ticket details are to be released soon.

Treat yourself to a special Lunar New Year performance by the New York Philharmonic on February 11 at the Wu Tsai Theater, David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center (pictured) in Manhattan! Enhance your experience by attending the Lunar New Year Gala (a fundraiser for the Philharmonic), including a pre-concert reception, prime concert seating, and a post-concert seated dinner with the artists.

Credit: Walter Wlodarczyk for NYC & Company

On February 16, get ready for stunning visuals, tantalizing treats, and amazing performances at Chinatown’s annual Lunar New Year celebration! Shop fronts are adorned in red and gold, and colorful parades and dragon dances wind through the streets (pictured). The parade, which marks its 27th anniversary this year, starts at 1 pm, making its way through the main streets of Little Italy and Chinatown in Manhattan.

On January 26, celebrate the Year of the Snake with Landmark on Main Street in Port Washington. The event, which starts at 2:30PM until 4:30PM, is presented in association with the Greater Port Washington Chinese American Association. This exciting celebration features traditional Chinese Kunju Opera performances from the New York Chinese Opera Society, a show from CrazyLaugh Comedy, and a variety of presentations organized, choreographed, and presented by local residents. Admission to the event is free and open to all.

On Saturday, January 29 from 11am-1pm celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year with the Discovery Center. Experience diverse and flavorful food, engage in cultural artistry, chat with members of the local Chinese Cultural Center, and join in on the parade. The event is free with regular museum admission.

Credit: @dario.nyc on Instagram

Celebrate the Year of the Snake with performances, interactive activities, and artist-led workshops for all ages at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Lunar New Year festival on January 25. The jam-packed event kicks off at 12pm until 5pm with exciting programs throughout the day including performances, interactive activities, artist-led workshops, and more. Plus, Met volunteer guides will be around for gallery chats in Mandarin, English, Spanish, and Korean. All activities are free with Museum admission and no registration is required. 

Welcome the Year of the Snake with a special Lunar New Year performance by the Syracuse Orchestra! Taking place on January 29 at 7PM in Inspiration Hall, experience the unique melodies, instruments, and arrangements led by conductor Ho-Yin Kwok. Tickets are $34/adult, $29/senior, and $5/college student (with ID). 

Join the Buffalo AKG Museum and the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association for an unforgettable Lunar New Year celebration. On January 31 from 4PM-8PM, join others as you admire captivating performances, participate in interactive workshops, enjoy a medley of diverse Asian cuisine, and more! Admission is free. 

Welcome the Year of the Snake at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden’s Chinese New Year Celebration on January 25! Children of all ages and their families are invited to enjoy performances, treats, tales, and traditional crafts with one of the biggest cultural celebrations in the world. The celebration starts at 11:30AM-4PM and includes creative programming from community partners like Chinese Theatre Works, offering two hand puppet performances. While you’re visiting, be sure to explore Snug Harbor’s New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden, one of two authentic classical outdoor Chinese gardens built in the United States. Chinese New Year Celebration admission is $20/person.

Join the Heckscher Museum of Art on Long Island on January 18 for a Lunar New Year Celebration for the whole family! This free event, taking place from 12PM-5PM, is for all ages, where children can learn about Lunar New Year, the Year of the Snake, and Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Filipino cultures. Kids will receive a “passport” to get stamped at each country’s table, where they can participate in hands-on activities like making Chinese lanterns, meet artists, and watch live dance and martial arts demonstrations. The first 100 guests will also receive a lucky red envelope with celebratory stickers inside!

Bring the little ones to celebrate both Lunar New Year and Western New Year at Clermont State Historic Site. The event begins at 1PM with an afternoon filled with stories, snacks, and crafts focused on celebrations surrounding both Western New Year and Lunar New Year. Event is free of charge, but visitors must register in advance.

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