Lunar New Year in NYC: Where to Celebrate the Year of the Horse in 2026
Lunar New Year in NYC transforms the city into a vibrant celebration of renewal, tradition, and community. In 2026, the arrival of the Year of the Horse brings dynamic performances, festive dining experiences, and immersive cultural programming across Manhattan and beyond. From large-scale dance productions to lion dancers weaving through restaurants and shopping centers, the holiday blends heritage with contemporary New York energy in ways that feel both meaningful and electric.
Year of the Horse Takes Center Stage at NJPAC
One of the season’s most anticipated celebrations arrives just across the Hudson. The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company will present Year of the Horse on February 14 and 15, 2026, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark. Founded by the late Chinese American choreographer Nai-Ni Chen and currently helmed by Artistic Director Greta Campo and Executive Director Andy Chiang, the company is known for bringing traditional Chinese dance into conversation with modern forms.
This family-friendly matinee program highlights the athleticism and grace associated with the horse while honoring time-honored Lunar New Year imagery. The repertoire includes the contemporary-meets-hip-hop energy of Lion in the City, the pastoral lyricism of Mongolian Harvest, and the sweeping visual spectacle of the Dragon Dance. Audiences can expect flowing ribbons, vibrant costuming, and powerful ensemble work that evokes both ancient symbolism and present-day cultural exchange.
NYC’s Chinatown Parade & Festival
A centerpiece of Lunar New Year celebrations in New York City is the 28th Annual NYC Lunar New Year Parade & Festival in Chinatown. Scheduled for Sunday, March 1, 2026, the festivities begin with a cultural festival and booths lining Bayard Street between Mulberry and Mott Streets beginning at 11:30 a.m., followed by a parade that kicks off at 1:00 p.m. Better Chinatown USA says the procession winds through Lower Manhattan’s Chinatown — starting near Mott and Canal Streets and continuing through Chatham Square and East Broadway before finishing near Sara D. Roosevelt Park.
Tradition comes alive along the route with lion and dragon dance troupes, elaborate floats, cultural performances, marching bands, and community groups reflecting the diversity of NYC’s Asian American heritage. According to Better Chinatown USA, the event draws thousands of spectators each year and blends centuries-old customs with the city’s vibrant urban atmosphere, making it one of the most anticipated cultural celebrations on the spring calendar.
Hudson Yards Welcomes the Holiday
Back in Midtown, The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards will mark Lunar New Year from February 2 through February 22, 2026, with large-scale installations and free programming. Two towering horse sculptures surrounded by lanterns and florals anchor the décor, while traditional red envelopes and themed activations invite visitors to take part in the festivities.
In partnership with the New York Chinese Cultural Center, Hudson Yards will host complimentary lantern-making workshops and a series of cultural performances in the Great Room, including lion dances, Dunhuang-inspired ribbon choreography, and Shaolin Kung Fu demonstrations. Retailers will roll out limited-edition collections, and special promotions reward shoppers throughout the celebration. Nearby, Edge offers a holiday ticket promotion, and Vessel will glow in red throughout much of February, extending the celebratory atmosphere skyward.
Festive Feasts Across the City
Dining plays a central role in Lunar New Year traditions, and NYC restaurants are embracing the Year of the Horse with creative menus and symbolic dishes.
In Flatiron, Grandma’s Home will offer a family-style set menu from February 13 through 22, designed for groups of four. The curated spread features specialty items created just for the holiday alongside signature favorites. Standouts include Lunar Prosperity Dumplings filled with pork, shrimp, and tobiko, Typhoon Shelter Lobster layered with garlic and chili, and Braised Yellow Croaker served with rice cakes, symbolizing abundance and forward momentum. A Golden Persimmon Mousse closes the meal on a sweet note, while the Lucky Cowboy cocktail nods to the horse with bright citrus and shochu.
At 53, Executive Chef Mark Yu and Head Bartender Aaron Kim introduce dishes and cocktails inspired by the Year of the Fire Horse alongside the regular à la carte menu. Lion dancers will move through all three levels of the space on February 16, with performances scheduled throughout the evening to usher in prosperity. Dinner specialties such as lobster with duck egg yolk glaze, roasted duck wraps, and abalone clay pot will be available during the week.
A City in Celebration
What makes the Lunar New Year in NYC so compelling is its scale and diversity. From major performing arts institutions to neighborhood dining rooms and global retail destinations, the holiday is celebrated in ways that feel both rooted in tradition and distinctly New York. The Year of the Horse, associated with vitality, strength, and forward motion, feels especially fitting for a city that never stands still.
Whether you’re watching a dragon descend in a swirl of color, crafting a lantern in a public atrium, or sharing symbolic dishes with friends and family, Lunar New Year in NYC offers more than spectacle. It offers connection, continuity, and a joyful reminder that a new cycle has begun.
