The Lunar New Year is coming up, falling on Saturday, February 10th, 2024. Following the Year of the Rabbit in the lunar cycle, 2024 will be the Year of the Dragon. One place that throws the biggest New Year’s celebrations is none other than New York City, especially in Chinatown. So, here’s how to celebrate the Lunar New Year in New York City.
Attend the Chinese New Year Parade
A staple in Lunar New Year celebrations is the parade held in Chinatown. Featuring multicolored costumes and ginormous dragon processions, the parade marches down Chinatown following the rhythm of drums and cymbals. More than 200 restaurants and eateries in the community open their doors for customers to walk around the town and enjoy their delicious food.
This year the event takes place on February 24th. The parade route runs from Mott and Canal Street, through Chatham Square, to East Broadway looking towards the Manhattan Bridge, and finishing on Eldridge and Forsyth Street towards Grand Street. You can learn more about the parade here.
Go to the Chinese New Year Firecracker Ceremony & Cultural Festival
Held at Sara D. Roosevelt Park on Grand Street, the Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival is organized by the Better Chinatown Society. Occurring on February 10th, the event will feature thousands of sparkling fireworks being launched into the sky. Symbolically, shooting fireworks is meant to ward off bad spirits and scare them away with light and noise. The Firecracker Ceremony will also feature several dance performances.
Visit the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA)
Located in Manhattan, the Museum of Chinese in America, also known as the MOCA, is a great way to learn about Chinese culture during the New Year. The museum exhibits a lot of Chinese American history within New York City and America in general. You can visit the MOCA’s website here.
Eat Good Food!
There is no better food to have during the Lunar New Year than the best Chinese food in Chinatown. From dim sum to dessert, to family-style meals, Chinatown has everything. Some recommendations include Nom Wah Tea Parlor, House of Joy, Joe’s Shanghai, and Shu Jiao Fu Zhou.
Be sure to check out these happenings during this year’s Lunar New Year on February 10th! Let us know which ones were you favorite.
XOXO,
Your Fashion Bestie
