While many of us rang in the new year a month ago, our friends across the water are still eagerly awaiting the arrival of February 10, the Lunar New Year. But NYC families can celebrate again and welcome the Year of the Snake, too, with a fantastic lineup of artistic workshops, cultural performances, festivals and parades. Cheers!
February 2-3
Around The World With CMA: Lunar New Year Festival
10am-5pm
Perfect for all ages, this festival at the Children’s Museum of the Arts includes a number of workshops and performances that explore ancient and modern Chinese culture, from red-ribbon dancing to calligraphy.
February 2
Express Your Inner Snake: Lunar New Year Family Festival At MOCA
11am-6pm
Celebrating the Year of the Snake, the family festival at the Museum of Chinese in America will feature a variety of fun activities including arts and crafts, walking tours, and even a performance by Chinatown’s Red Silk Dancers.
February 2
Chinese New Year: The Snake At The Brooklyn Children’s Museum
2:30pm
In this educational workshop, children ages 4 and over can discover the Chinese Zodiac and calendar system for the Year of the Snake.
February 8
Chinese New Year Celebration At Flushing Meadows Corona Park
9am-12pm
Visit the Al Oerter Recreation Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park for a variety of fun and free activities: martial arts demonstrations, massages, refreshments, a raffle drawing, and more!
February 9-10
Lunar New Year Celebration At The Queens Zoo
12-4pm
Instead of imaginary snakes, The Queens Zoo is offering the real deal: Get ready to see live boa constrictors and listen to stories about snakes in honor of the serpent-themed new year.
February 9-10
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company At Victoria Theater
Workshop: 12:30pm
Performance: 2pm
Based on ancient traditions and folklore, the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company brings its audience a dazzling performance with ribbon twirling, martial arts, and more. Sign up for the family workshop before the show to handcraft your own Origami souvenirs.
Feburary 9
Moon Over Manhattan: Celebrate The Lunar New Year Family Day
1-4pm
The Asia Society’s special family day has a hip, dynamic program all lined up. Children can listen to live electronic music, watch Zhang lion dance, and even witness a Kung Fu demo.
February 10
Celebrate The Lunar New Year At The Children’s Museum Of Manhattan
Snake Puppet: 10am & 1pm
Chinese Lanterns: 12, 2, 3, & 4pm
In “Little Artists: Year of the Snake Puppet,” children 4 and under decorate serpent puppets with colorful crayons. Older children 5 and over explore Chinese tradition by making their own lanterns in the “Chinese Lanterns” workshop.
February 10
Little Makers: Fireworks At The New York Hall Of Science
10:30am-12:30pm
In true spirit of the Lunar New Year, NYSCI invites families to watch high-flying rockets and colorful splatter paint fireworks. Prepare to be amazed!
February 10
Lunar New Year Festival At The Millenium Brooklyn High School
11am-1pm
The NY Chinese Cultural Center will host a spring celebration festival featuring Chinese paper cutting, creating dough figurines, calligraphy instruction, and spectacular cultural performances.
February 10
Chinese New Year Celebration: Family Workshop
11am-2:45pm
For free entertainment, check out the China Institute’s lion dance demonstration outside. Then, if you’re willing to spend a little, get tickets to any or all of these unique workshops: dumpling making, calligraphy and couplet making, or paper cutting.
February 10
Lunar New Year Dance Sampler At Flushing Town Hall
1pm
With unique and captivating performances from East Asia as well as North America, this comprehensive dance sampler is as educational as it is entertaining.
February 16
Chinese New Year Snake Dancers At McNally Jackson Books
11:30am
There’s only one thing that’s more fun than watching a parade–participating in one! McNally Books invites children of all ages to decorate their own snake-themed costume and then show it off in the store-wide kids’ parade.
February 17
14th Annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade & Festival
Hosted by the Better Chinatown Society, this annual parade will feature cultural performers and displays representing countries across Asia as it weaves through Chinatown. But before it takes off, don’t miss the festival in Sara D. Roosevelt Park!
February 21
Lunar New Year Celebration At The Alley Pond Environmental Center
Session A: 10:30-12pm
Session B: 1-2:30pm
Calling all snake lovers! During APEC’s snake-themed Lunar New Year Celebration, children ages 5-10 will meet real pythons and corn snakes, create a delicious snake snack, and leave with some fun facts about their serpent friends.
