How to Celebrate the 2021 Lunar New Year in the New York Area

Here are some in-person and online 2021 Lunar New Year events to celebrate the Year of the Ox!

By NYMetroParents Calendar Editor February 12, 2021

Updated Feb. 2021: Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, will be celebrated this year on Friday, Feb. 12 with activities in the New York area and online to ring in the Year of the Ox! Whether you want to celebrate your heritage or have your children learn about another culture, you’ll find family-friendly events across the New York metro area, including arts and crafts, parades, festivals, book readings, and more.

2021 Lunar New Year Events in Manhattan
2021 Lunar New Year Events in Brooklyn
2021 Lunar New Year Events in Queens
2021 Lunar New Year Events in Westchester County
2021 Lunar New Year Events in Rockland County
Celebrate Lunar New Year on Long Island

2021 Lunar New Year Events in Manhattan

FREE. ONLINE Storytime with The Met—Cat and Rat with Ed Young
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 4, 12-12:10pm
WHERE: Metropolitan Museum of Art, Online
AGES: 18 months to 6 years
WHAT: Look, listen, sing, and have fun with Storytime from home! In this special edition, author and illustrator Ed Young reads Cat and Rat.
WANT TO GO? Free. Watch on Facebook, YouTube, or on The Met website.

ONLINE Lunar New Year Yoga Celebration
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 5, 5-5:45pm
WHERE: Karma Kids Yoga, Online
AGES: 2-6
WHAT: Long ago in ancient China, the Jade Emperor held an epic race and 12 animals came to compete. It was a long and difficult race and the personalities of each of the animals were revealed during this event. Who came in first? Who came in last? Who was helpful to the other animals and who cheated? Why were some animals friends before the race and not friendly afterwards? Join Melissa the Yoga Fairy, as she takes us on a yoga adventure to answer these questions and reveal even more as you hop, slither, moo and swim your way to the Jade Emperor's Palace Gates!
WANT TO GO? $15. Advanced registration required.

FREE. ONLINE Family Day: Virtual Lunar New Year 2021!
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 6, 1pm
WHERE: Asia Society, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Ring in the New Year with performances and traditional craft activities inspired by Lunar New Year traditions across Asia. Enjoy a day of performances and arts and crafts inspired by Lunar New Year traditions across Asia.
WANT TO GO? Free. Watch on YouTube or Facebook. Print out templates on the website for more fun!

FREE. ONLINE Losar Family Day CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE METAL OX
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 7, 1-4pm
WHERE: Rubin Museum, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate Losar, the Tibetan New Year observed throughout the Himalayas and all over the world, with an afternoon of family-friendly art-making and fun inspired by the year of the Metal Ox. You'll learn about traditional Losar celebrations and this year's zodiac animal, the wise and determined Metal Ox. Join the Rubin Museum virtually and make your own ox horns, paint with flour, construct prayer flags, and let your creativity go wild!
WANT TO GO? Free. Advanced registration required.

ONLINE Year of the Golden Ox
WHEN: Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 11-13, 11:30am, 3:30pm, and 7:30pm
WHERE: Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, Online
AGES: 6-15
WHAT: Year of the Golden Ox is an all-day virtual celebration that highlights the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company’s repertory and guest artist's past notable performances will be featured. This special online virtual presentation will include the works of the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York, the Renaissance Chinese Opera Society, Kuaiban Artist XingYe Ma, Kuan Opera actor Yaozhong Zhang, Yonghong Jia and others. The company will perform some of the most treasured traditional dances performed at the Chinese New Year-the Lion Dance and the Dragon Dance. Instrumental music features Erhu, Ruan, Pipa, Chinese Opera and Kuaiban (a form of rap originated over 200 years ago in Beijing). The audience will also be able to engage the artists live to discuss the music and dance they saw on stage.
WANT TO GO? $10 recommended donation. Advanced registration required.

FREE. IN PERSON Lunar Ice
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 12, 3-8pm; Saturday, Feb. 13, 10am-3pm
WHERE: Brookfield Place, 230 Vesey St., Financial District
AGES: All
WHAT: Discover ice sculptures by New York City-based art collective, Okamoto Studio, on the Waterfront Plaza at Brookfield Place in celebration of the Lunar New Year!
WANT TO GO? Free. Brookfield Place

IN PERSON Lunar New Year Lion Dancing and Lucky Outdoor Meal
WHEN: February 13, 1-2pm or 2:30-3:30pm
WHERE: Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Ave., Chelsea
AGES: All
WHAT: Enjoy a special Lunar New Year menu of noodles, baos, kimbap, dessert and bubble tea from Very Fresh Noodles and Pearl River Mart Foods’ featured vendors, Mao’s Bao, Kimbap Lab, Tea & Milk, and Kitsby. This celebratory meal will be paired with libations from Lunar Hard Seltzer and Brooklyn Food & Beverage. With reserved heated outdoor seating in your own private booth, diners will be in a prime comfortable viewing spot for a show-stopping performance by renowned lion dance troupe, the incomparable Wan Chi Ming Hung Gar Institute Dragon and Lion Dance Team.
WANT TO GO? $150 for meal for 4. Advanced reservations required.

FREE. ONLINE Lunar New Year Family Festival!
WHEN: February 11-19, 2021, See website for schedule
WHERE:
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate the Year of the Ox with over a week of free virtual festivities for the whole family.
WANT TO GO? Programing will take place on the museum website or Zoom.

ONLINE Chinese New Year Family Festival
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 13, 11am-3pm
WHERE: China Institute, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Kick off the Year of the Ox with the virtual edition of China Institute's signature New Year Celebration for families. The exciting festival opens with a lion dance and puppet performance followed by engaging New Year-themed workshops and activities including dumpling making and lantern painting.
WANT TO GO? $10 for workshops; free for members; Lion Dance and Puppet Show free for all. Advanced registration required.

FREE. ONLINE DIY Confetti Poppers
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 13, 10-10:20am
WHERE: Metropolitan Museum of Art, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Light up the sky with a nature-inspired confetti popper made with teaching artist Maria Yoon.
WANT TO GO? Free. See website for materials needed. Watch on Facebook or YouTube.

FREE. ONLINE Digital Drop-in: Lunar New Year
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 13, 10am
WHERE: Museum of Art and Design, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: MAD artist educator Jocelyn Hsin-Ju Yang will demonstrate how to make paper cutouts for Lunar New Year.
WANT TO GO? $10; free for members, patrons, and students. Advanced registration required. See website for supplies needed.

FREE. ONLINE #ConcertsForKids - Chinese Theatre Works
WHEN: February 12, 4pm
WHERE: Lincoln Center, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: The Chinese Theatre Works production, Hao Bang-ah Ox!, features live music and traditional Chinese hand puppet performances in celebration of the Chinese NewYear. Dedicated to the mission of preserving and promoting traditional Chinese performing arts, the ensemble presents a wide range of cultural programming that crosses ethnic and cultural boundaries, including opera, puppetry, music, and dance. Enjoy this special edition of #ConcertsForKids, melding ornate craftmanship, moving performance, and joyful exploration.
WANT TO GO? View on LincolnCenter.org, Lincoln Center's Facebook and YouTube channels, and available on demand after the premiere.

2021 Lunar New Year Events in Brooklyn

IN PERSON Lunar New Year Camp
WHEN: February 12, 9am-5pm
WHERE: PLAYDAY Cobble Hill, 269 Baltic St., Cobble Hill
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: During the LUNAR NEW YEAR Creative Camp students will learn the origin of the holiday while engaging in themed creative projects such as Sculpture, Collage, Cartooning, and Painting.
WANT TO GO? $200. Advanced registration required

FREE. ONLINE The Year of the Ox: A Musical Celebration with the Ba Ban Chinese Music Society
WHEN: February 13, 1pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate the Year of the Ox! Enjoy festive music and beautiful dance by Zhou Yi and the Ba Ban Chinese Music Society. Take a virtual trip with the sights and sounds of Chinese culture.
WANT TO GO? Watch on the BPL Facebook page and YouTube Channel

FREE. ONLINE Community Cooking Series
WHEN: February 18, 2pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate Lunar New Year with the library as they cook live on Instagram, sharing a family recipe. Visit bklynlib.org/cooking a week before the session, for the recipe, a list of ingredients, and tools needed so you can cook along.
WANT TO GO? View the program live on Instagram.com/bklynlibrary

FREE. ONLINE Dance and Music with the Asian Performing Arts
WHEN: February 19, 10:30-11:15am
WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Discover the traditions of Lunar New Year through singing, dancing, and music.
WANT TO GO? Watch on on the Brooklyn Public Library Facebook Page

FREE. ONLINE Celebrate the Year of the Ox through Dance
WHEN: February 22, 3-3:30pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Create your own dance prop and learn how to do a traditional dance.
WANT TO GO? View live on the Brooklyn Public Library Facebook Page.

FREE. ONLINE Lunar New Year Storytime
WHEN: February 24, 10:30-11am
WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Online
AGES: 5-8
WHAT: Join the library for stories and songs in Mandarin for children and their parents or caregivers.
WANT TO GO? View live on the Brooklyn Public Library Facebook Page

FREE. ONLINE Lunar New Year
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 6, 1pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: The Brooklyn Lions Club is back again in their starring role! Join BKCM online this year and celebrate the passing of a new lunar year. Dress-up in your best Lunar New Year outfits and send them pictures to be part of their Costume Zoom Parade! Bring along your snacks as and hear Chinese New Year food stories and interactive discussions with families on their Chinese New Year food experience.
WANT TO GO? Free. Advanced registration required.

ONLINE Let's Get Loud! Nian Monster Noisemakers with the Museum of Chinese in America
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 12, 10:30-11am
WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Legend says the Nian monster comes out the night before every Lunar New Year to scare villagers and devour their food. Join educators from the Museum of Chinese in America for a thrilling retelling of the Legend of Nian. Then, learn how to turn ordinary household items into festive rattle drums that you can use to scare away the Nian monster until next year.
WANT TO GO? Free. See description for supplies needed.

ONLINE Korean Lunar New Year – At Home!
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 12, anytime
WHERE: Staten Island Museum, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Download the museum's interactive guide and bring the traditions of Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year) right into your own home! Celebrate the whole week with recipes, games, videos, and activities for the entire family to enjoy! Learn about the games (To-hoh), food (Tteok-guk), fashion (hanbok), and performing arts that epitomize this special time of year with this downloadable guide.
WANT TO GO? $5, free for members.

IN PERSON Celebrate Lunar New Year
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 13, 10am-1pm and 2-5pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights
AGES: All
WHAT: Join Brooklyn Children’s Museum to usher in the Year of the Ox! Create an ox puppet in the ColorLab art studio, learn about the festival and traditions of Lunar New Year in workshops led by the Chinatown Young Lions (CYL) and parade around the Museum’s rooftop with CYL’s impressive lion puppets!
WANT TO GO? $13. Purchase tickets in advance.

2021 Lunar New Year Events in Queens

FREE. ONLINE Virtual STEAM Workshop: Lunar New Year
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 11, 3:30-4:30pm
WHERE: Lewis Latimer House Museum, Online
AGES: 7 and older
WHAT: For the Year of the Ox, learn the foundation of sculpture! Participants will create ox sculptures using a bar of soap! Learn to apply some traditional sculpture techniques to make creative works of art.
WANT TO GO? Free. See website for supply list. Advanced registration required.

FREE. ONLINE and IN PERSON Lunar New Year Grab & Go Prosperous Fish
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 12, 3:15-4pm
WHERE: Queens Library - Flushing Branch, 41-17 Main St., Flushing
AGES: 6-10
WHAT: Celebrate the Lunar New Year by making adorable fish with Ms Shiu-hwa, Children's Librarian at Flushing. From Feb 1-Feb 12, you can pick up a craft kit from the Flushing Library during open hours. Otherwise, bring your own paper, scissors, ruler, and glue.
WANT TO GO? Free. Craft program at link: https://queenslib.org/2Mz8U9z

FREE. ONLINE Lunar New Year Chinese Temple Bazaar
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 14, 2pm
WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: For centuries, people in China have celebrated the Lunar New Year in temple fairs with performances and food to start off a good year. This year, we will celebrate together virtually. Join Flushing Town Hall for lively performances, arts and crafts, and food demonstrations to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Ox and the final stretch of harsh winter before the spring renewal.
WANT TO GO? Free. RSVP online.

IN PERSON Lunar New Year Camp
WHEN: February 12, 9am-5pm
WHERE: PLAYDAY Long Island City, 537 51st Ave, Long Island City
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: During the LUNAR NEW YEAR Creative Camp students will learn the origin of the holiday while engaging in themed creative projects such as Sculpture, Collage, Cartooning, and Painting.
WANT TO GO? $200. Advanced registration required.

FREE. IN PERSON F&T Presents Lunar New Year at the Garden
WHEN: Feb. 6-28, Saturday-Sunday, 8am-4:30pm
WHERE: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing
AGES: All
WHAT: This year safely celebrate the Lunar New Year at the Garden throughout the month of Feb.! Enjoy festive décor, pick up one of their free monthly seasonal craft activity kits, and take part in the Plant Sale to bring home a lucky plant for the Year of the Ox!
WANT TO GO? Free. Queens Botanical Garden

FREE. ONLINE Virtual Lunar New Year Festival
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 12, 7-8:30pm
WHERE: Glow Community Center, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: The Glow Community Center will be hosting a 2021 Lunar New Year Virtual Festival showcasing many local artists and Chinese cultural performances as we usher the Lunar New Year. During this memorable hour, you will enjoy more than 10 performances featuring Umbrella Juggling, a beautiful Yunnan folk dance, a symbolic Lion dance, and so much more!
WANT TO GO? Free. Advanced registration required.

FREE. ONLINE Lunar New Year Kids Activity Workshop
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 14, 2pm
WHERE: Glow Community Center, Online
AGES: 3-9
WHAT: Glow Community Center is excited to offer a ‘Nian’ themed children virtual workshop. Children will learn the stories behind many Lunar New Year traditions through multiple arts and crafts activities.
WANT TO GO? Free. Advanced registration required.

2021 Lunar New Year Events in Westchester County

FREE. ONLINE Chinese New Year Virtual Celebration!
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 8, 3:30-4:30pm
WHERE: Pelham Art Center, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Join Pelham Art Center's Chinese New Year Virtual Celebration! Artist and educator Jane Chang will share her knowledge of the rich history and traditions of the Chinese New Year holiday, followed by a Chinese brush painting demonstration. Attendees can follow along with Jane's brush painting demonstration from home using ink or watercolors on paper, or simply observe the folk art fun.
WANT TO GO? Free. Program will run on Zoom.

FREE. ONLINE Chinese New Year Origami Craft
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 11, 4:30pm
WHERE: Mt. Kisco Public Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Dragons are an important part of Chinese New Year celebrations since they symbolize luck. Create your own dragon out of origami that can double as a bookmark. Craft supplies available for pick up prior to the event.
WANT TO GO? Free. Watch on Zoom.

FREE. ONLINE Lunar New Year Virtual Craft!
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 11, 11:30am
WHERE: Field Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Join The Field Library for a special virtual craft tutorial to celebrate the Year of the Ox!
WAN TO GO? Free. Facebook.

FREE. ONLINE DFPL Cultural Explorers presents Lunar New Year Festival via ZOOM
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 12, 3:30-4:45pm
WHERE: Dobbs Ferry Public Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Join the Dobbs Ferry Public Library for a virtual festival led by members of the Dobbs Ferry community, highlighting traditions in China, Korea, and Vietnam.
WANT TO GO? Free. Advanced registration required.

2021 Lunar New Year Events in Rockland County

FREE. ONLINE Exploring Tangrams: Lunar New Year, The Year of the Ox
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 5, 4-4:45pm
WHERE: Somerset County Library System of New Jersey, Online
AGES: 6-11
WHAT: Explore “The Year of the Ox” with the ancient Chinese puzzle the tangram (a square divided into seven specific pieces) and a story. See website for supplies needed.
WANT TO GO? Free. Somerset County Library System of New Jersey

FREE. ONLINE Chinese New Year Celebration
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 12, 6:30pm
WHERE: New Brunswick Free Public Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate Chinese New Year with two Chinese ancient folk arts - Chinese Knotting and Paper Cutting. Librarian Hsien-min Chen will teach you tying the Double Coin Knot, and cut out a paper Chinese character with you. The two projects will then be combined into one pretty hanging decoration that will bring you luck and fortune for the upcoming new year.
WANT TO GO? Free. Advanced registration required. See website for supply pick up information or to supply your own.

FREE. ONLINE Lunar New Year Celebration with Children's Author Tina Cho
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 13, 5-5:45pm
WHERE: Montclair Public Library, Online
AGES: 7-10
WHAT: Author, Tina Cho, shares how Lunar New Year is celebrated in Korea using her book “Korean Celebrations.” Highlights include traditional clothes, bowing for blessings, special foods, gifts that are given, and games that are played. Children will also make their own Yut-nori game (see website for supply list.)
WANT TO GO? Free. Advanced registration required.

IN PERSON Family Fun Day- Chinese New Year!
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 20, 11:30am-1pm or 2-3:30pm
WHERE: Liberty Hall Museum, 1003 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate the year of the Ox by making lots of crafts – from dragon puppets to “porcelain” plates – that emulate traditional Chinese craftsmanship and icons.
WANT TO GO? $10; $8 members; $4 children. Purchase tickets in advance.

Lunar New Year Events on Long Island

FREE. ONLINE 2021 LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION The Year of the OX
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 12, 6pm
WHERE: Suffolk County Asian American Advisory Board, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: This free virtual event will feature entertainment, cultural presentations, prizes, and more! Must be registered to be eligible for prizes.
WANT TO GO? Free. Watch on YouTube or register for Zoom broadcast.

FREE. ONLINE Celebrate the Lunar New Year with Li Liu – Chinese Acrobat
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 12, 7pm
WHERE: East Meadow Public Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate the Lunar New Year with Li Liu – Chinese Acrobat! Her artistry amazes one and all, no matter what age.
WANT TO GO? Free. Advanced registration required.

FREE. ONLINE Happy Lunar New Year: Tales From Asia
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 17, 3-3:45pm
WHERE: The Bryant Library, Online
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate the Year of the Ox and learn about Japanese heritage through fun and engaging stories!
WANT TO GO? Free. Watch on Zoom.