The Year of the Dragon is upon us – starting Feb. 10, we bid adieu to the Year of the Rabbit as the Lunar New Year arrives.
Thanks to its large and diverse Asian population, New York City offers a wide range of parties, cultural events, and performances to celebrate the first new moon of the lunar year.
Below are some ideas to help you get ready to welcome the dragon with parades, dancing, firecrackers, and more.
See acrobats and a parade in Flushing’s Chinatown
Head to Flushing’s Chinatown, to experience a full day of new year celebrations. The programming kicks off with a parade from the Glow Cultural Center to Flushing Town Hall. From there, you can check out the cultural bazaar, which will offer a variety of snacks and artisanal goods, followed by two performances that feature acrobatics, dancing and singing.
The festivities kick off at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 11. The parade is free and admission to the performances is around $10; details here.
Celebrate with fireworks and a parade in Manhattan’s Chinatown
What could be more classic than celebrating the Lunar New Year with firecrackers and a parade in Manhattan’s Chinatown? The fireworks and the parade take place on two separate weekends to mark the beginning and end of Lunar New Year, so you can keep the party going most of the month.
The Firecracker Ceremony takes place on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 11 a.m. at Sara D. Roosevelt Park, while the parade is on Sunday, Feb. 25, at 1 p.m. in Manhattan’s Chinatown. Both events are free, and you can learn more details here.
Learn to make your own lanterns
Lanterns are a prominent symbol of the season, as the Lantern Festival is celebrated on the first full moon of the lunar year and signifies the end of Lunar New Year. You can make your own lanterns at the Flushing Friends Quaker Meeting House, where artists Myrna Perez Fung and Lilly Chu will guide participants on their creative journeys.
All necessary materials are included in the ticket price, as are refreshments….
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