Lunar New Year starts on February 17 and for the next 15 days, there will be many celebrations, festivities and feasts in Brooklyn.
It is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. It is the most important holiday in China, and it is also widely celebrated in South Korea, Vietnam and countries with a significant overseas Chinese population.
While the official dates encompassing the holiday vary by culture, those celebrating consider it the time of the year to reunite with immediate and extended family.
Here's how to kick off the Year of the Horse, a zodiac character that exemplifies people who are energetic, fast-moving, social, stubborn and hardworking.
Year of the Horse Mahjong Night - Williamsburg
- Date: Wednesday, Feb. 18
- Time: 6:30pm - 9:30pm
- Highlights: Great modern Chinese food and Mahjong at Kings Co. Imperial, 22 Skillman Ave. Hosted by Dragons Den Mahjong
Lion Dance - Industry City
- Date: Thursday, Feb. 19
- Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm
- Highlights: A traditional Lion Dance starting at in Building 5 and traveling through Innovation Alley to Building 2, spreading blessings along the way.
Got a red envelope? Feed the lion and kick off the year with good luck!
Lunar New Year Celebration — City Point & Albee Square, Downtown Brooklyn
- Date: Saturday, Feb. 21
- Time: 11:00am – 4:00pm
- Highlights: Lion dance performances by Chow Lay Fut, kids’ crafts, family activities and music
Sunset Park Lunar New Year Parade
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 22
- Time: 11:00am – 4:00pm
- What to Expect: Traditional lion dances, cultural performances, firecracker ritual displays, and a community parade along 8th Avenue (roughly between 50th and 61st Streets) hosted by the Brooklyn Chinese-American Association
Sunset Park Lunar New Year Celebration — Brooklyn Public Library
- Date: Saturday, Feb. 28
- Time: 1:00pm – 3:30pm
- Activities: Dance performances celebrating the Year of the Horse and arts & crafts. Hosted by Asian Performing Arts at the Sunset Park Library.
