Lunar New Year Celebrations Across the US

The celebration of the New Year for those who use the lunar calendar goes by many names — Lunar New Year, Spring Festival, and, of course, Chinese New Year. However, the celebrations are common around Asia, not just China.

This festival is one of the most important events of the year: a time to rid oneself of the negativity from the previous year and welcome the new and the good. In the US, many celebrations are centered around the Chinatown areas of larger cities, where lavish parades, delicious food, and myriad cultural experiences all pay homage to culture and community.

If you’re seeking to celebrate the Lunar New Year in the US, here are some of the best places to experience this joyous opportunity to welcome good fortune.

San Francisco, California

San Francisco hosts one of the oldest and biggest Lunar New Year celebrations in the US, with its first event dating back to the 1860s. Originally held in the city’s Chinatown, today the event has evolved into a week-long festival. The main attraction is the Grand Parade, taking place right downtown at the corner of 2nd and Market on February 19, starting at 5:15 pm. The larger festival, which runs from January 29 until the parade day, includes a street fair and a Miss Chinatown pageant, both within San Francisco’s famous Chinatown neighborhood.

Don’t miss: The stunning architecture of San Francisco’s Chinatown is beautiful and worth visiting even without a festival. Be sure to check out the iconic Dragon’s Gate before heading to the Chinese Historical Society of America to learn more about the history of this vibrant community. Additionally, a short ferry ride to Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay, often referred to as the Ellis Island of the West Coast, is highly recommended.

New York City, New York

New York is home to numerous Lunar New Year celebrations, with events in nearly every borough. However, the main event occurs in Manhattan, in the heart of the city’s Chinatown. This event has a lively street fair atmosphere, featuring local vendors and performances in the neighborhood alongside the main parade on February 9, which begins at 1 pm on the corner of Mott and Canal. Additional events around the city include a performance at the New York Philharmonic on February 8 and the Firecracker Ceremony at Sara D. Roosevelt Park on January 31.

Don’t miss: The epicenter of Asian American culture in New York is the borough of Queens. Take the subway to Downtown Flushing and stroll along Main Street to explore numerous Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese businesses. This area also holds its own Lunar New Year festival and parade on January 29.

Houston, Texas

Houston offers a variety of Lunar New Year celebrations, combining both online and in-person events. The Texas Lunar Festival is being held virtually this year due to ongoing concerns. Nevertheless, starting at 11 am on January 29, diverse cultural performances will be streamed on local channel 15.3, as well as on YouTube and Facebook. The city’s Chinese Community Center and an organization called TexAsia are organizing an in-person celebration in the city’s “Asiatown” on February 5, from 10 am to 4 pm, which will feature various cultural activities and vendors.

Don’t miss: The Asia Society of Texas is an exceptional place to discover more about the city’s Asian American community. The institution hosts artistic, educational, and business-oriented exhibitions and events aimed at showcasing and celebrating the diverse perspectives found within the community.

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston boasts the third-largest Chinatown in the country and therefore hosts a significant celebration for Lunar New Year. This year, festivities will include a parade featuring the traditional lion dance, a beauty pageant, and various arts and crafts demonstrations. The event runs from 10 am to 3 pm on February 13, with the parade commencing around 11 am in Philips Square, traversing through Chinatown, which transforms into a pedestrian-only space during the festivities.

Spokane, Washington

This year’s Lunar New Year celebration is particularly significant for Spokane, marking the first such celebration since 1933. The event will showcase a variety of performances, food, artist exhibitions, and a fireworks display, taking place at the Central Pavilion in Riverfront Park on February 5, starting at 1 pm and continuing into the evening. In addition to celebrating the city’s Asian community, the festivities will also involve organizations from Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.

Disneyland – Anaheim, California

After a brief hiatus, Disneyland’s Lunar New Year festival has returned. From January 21 to February 13, three times daily, a procession featuring traditional dancers and musicians alongside Disney characters will parade from Pixar Pier Gate to Paradise Gardens Obelisk. A special Lunar New Year Market and themed menus will also be offered, along with unique arts and crafts opportunities for children. The parade is free to all park visitors.

Chicago, Illinois

This year, Chicago holds two separate parades for Lunar New Year, complemented by various activities throughout the week that highlight and celebrate the city’s Asian American community. The first celebration will occur on February 13 in the city’s Chinatown, featuring a traditional parade starting at 1 pm and proceeding north on Wentworth Avenue. Another parade will take place in Uptown Chicago on February 5, beginning at Argyle and Winthrop at 1 pm sharp. Additionally, the city will host free film screenings and an online Chinese film series by Asian Pop-up Cinema from February 1 to February 15.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Dilworth Park in Center City, Philadelphia, is set to feature a traditional lion dance for Lunar New Year on January 29 from 5 pm to 7 pm. Located nearby is the Rothman Orthopedics Ice Rink, allowing visitors to enjoy ice skating and food alongside the festivities continuing into the evening. An additional midnight lion dance will be performed in Chinatown on January 31 by the Philadelphia Suns Lion Dance troupe.

Don’t miss: Make sure to visit the city’s Chinatown to admire the remarkable Chinatown Friendship Gate, crafted by artist Sabrina Soong. In the heart of Chinatown, the Asian Arts Initiative showcases an art gallery and theater dedicated to highlighting diverse artists from the community.