New York City's Chinatown is the epicenter of the Lunar New Year celebrations with the fantastic Parade and Festival and the New Year's Day Firecracker Ceremony.
These two events have been for years the iconic NYC traditional celebrations for the Spring Festival.
More recently we have seen the development of a series of exciting arts and cultural events pioneered by
the China Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) in association with the U.S.-China Cultural Institute and other community organizations, which has given
way to the "Happy Chinese New Year: Fantastic Art China Festival", featuring a lavish fireworks display over the Hudson River as well as the New York Philharmonic Chinese New Year Concert and Gala and many more activities for children which are now able to participate since Chinese New Year is a public school holiday in the city!
New York City Chinese New Year Celebration Highlights 2019
Welcoming The Year Of The Pig
- New Year's Day Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival - February 5, 2019
- Annual New York City Lunar New Year Parade & Festival - February 17, 2019
- New York Philharmonic Chinese New Year Concert and Gala - February 6, 2019
- New York City Chinese New Year Fireworks - February 11, 2019 at 8:15 pm
The following events are have in the past been organized as part of the "Happy Chinese New Year, Fantastic Art China New York Event Series" by the China Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) in association with the U.S.-China Cultural Institute and many other organizations.
- "Happy Chinese New Year: Fantastic Art China Festival" Events - TBA
- Lunar New Year Dragon Dance and National Dance Institute Year of the Pig Dance at Lincoln Center Plaza - TBA
New Year's Day Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival
Those unmistakable sounds and smells as firecrackers explode in a flurry of confetti, sparks and bangs heralding the auspicious start of a new year as all the bad spirits are ushered away... In New York, it is celebrated in grand style, the annual New Year's Day Firecracker Ceremony is a lively and colorful event, packed with well-wishers, dragons, drummers, lion dancers...
...And of course the main attraction, the firecrackers which kick-off at 12:00 noon...
New Year's Day Firecracker Ceremony 2019
When: Friday, February 5, 2019 - 11:00 am to 3:30 pm, Firecracker kick-off at 12:00 noon
Where: Sara D. Roosevelt Park (Grand & Chrystie St.)
How Much: FREE
More Info: http://betterchinatown.com/
Annual New York City Lunar New Year Parade & Festival
By far the most popular winter event in Chinatown, the annual Lunar New Year Parade and Festival is a great family attraction with thousands of revelers coming to ring in the New Year.
Troupes of acrobats, dancers, stilt walkers, performers, marching bands, floats, and of course lion dancers and dragons weave through the jam-packed streets...
The parade is a fantastic time for the entire family, so bundle up and come out!
NYC Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade 2019
When: Sunday, February 17, 2019 - 12:00 noon to 4:30 pm. Parade kick-off at 1:00 pm
Where: Manhattan Chinatown
Parade route: Parade assembles on Mott and Hester and kicks off at 1:00 pm heading south towards Canal St. to Chatham Square, heads up to East Broadway towards the Manhattan Bridge, completing on Eldridge and Forsyth Streets towards Grand Street next to Sara D. Roosevelt Park.
Suggested viewing locations: East Broadway or by Grand Street / Sara Roosevelt Park.
How Much: FREE
More Info: http://betterchinatown.com/
New York Philharmonic Chinese New Year Concert and Gala
The New York Philharmonic ushers in the Year of the Pig with a festive concert conducted by Long Yu, and Gala including pre-concert reception and post-concert dinner with the artists.
New York Philharmonic Chinese New Year Concert 2019
When: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - 7:30 pm
Where: Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Lincoln Center, David Geffen Hall, New York, NY 10023
How Much: $35 - $110
More Info and program: New York Philharmonic
For Gala tickets and tables contact specialevents@nyphil.org or call 212-875-5366.
Happy Chinese New Year Event Series
The following events are organized as part of the "Happy Chinese New Year, Fantastic Art China New York Event Series" by the China Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) in association with the U.S.-China Cultural Institute and many other organizations. It is a series of mostly FREE events to celebrate the Lunar New Year in New York City, making it a perfect way to absorb Chinese arts and culture with the whole family.
New York City Chinese New Year Fireworks
A Chinese celebration isn't a celebration without a lavish display of fireworks... and NYC rises to the occasion with a dazzling show over the Hudson River as splashes of light inundate the city and the Empire State Building beams red and gold, the auspicious colors for a lucky New Year.
NYC Chinese New Year Fireworks 2019
When: Monday February 11, 2019 - 8:15 pm
Where: Over the Hudson River. Hudson River Pier 84, 12th Ave & 44th St
How Much: FREE
More Info: Fireworks by Grucci
Happy Chinese New Year: Fantastic Art China Festival Events 2019
A series of exciting art and cultural events for the entire family over a five-day period featuring dances, art exhibits, music, interactive media, traditional crafts...
Students Day features performances by the National Dance Institute, Message via video from Lang Lang plus live performances from the Lang Lang International Music Foundation's Young Scholars Program, live performances from NY Philharmonic members and Very Young Composers, "Musical Postcards" between Very Young Composers in Shanghai and New York City.
When: TBA
Where: Metropolitan Pavillion
How Much: FREE
Students Day on February TBA at the Lobby of David Geffen Hall @ Lincoln Center
More Info and program: www.nyclunarnewyear.org
Lunar New Year Dragon Dance & National Dance Institute Year of the Pig Dance
A celebration is never a celebration without the colorful and vivacious Dragon Dances...
When: TBA - 4:30 pm
Where: Lincoln Center Plaza
How Much: FREE
More Info and program: www.nyclunarnewyear.org
And of course NYC Chinatown does not have the monopoly on lively celebrations for the new year! There are hundreds of events around the city, check out Mommy Poppins handy guide for Chinese New Year family friendly events in New York.
Visiting New York City? This Guide is all you need to plan the perfect trip. Melissa has been passing down her "insider" information for years, there's tons of free advice, maps, tips and recommendations.
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