Where And How To Celebrate The Year Of The Tiger In New York State

The Chinese New Year is celebrated by the lunar calendar for 16 days, from January 31 to February 15, which is the Lantern Festival.

This year is the Year Of The Tiger and in particular, the water tiger, which is symbolic of self-esteem and learning capacity—something the world can do with.

Here is a guide to some events that celebrate the advent of the New Year across New York state.

The Sound of Spring: A Chinese New Year Concert

This musical offering is conducted by the Director of the US-China Music Institute Jindong Cai with The Orchestra Now—presented by The US-China Music Institute of the Bard College Conservatory of Music.

The event showcases talented Chinese-American artists and solo artists. It will feature Chinese music, and traditional instruments

Details: January 28 in The Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College.

Lunar New Year at the Queens Botanical Garden (New York City)

Through January and February. people will enjoy participating in the annual lucky plant sale, contribute to a community art project, and enjoy the return of the Garden’s Lunar New Year celebration event on Saturday, February 5, from noon to 3 pm.

Venue: The Queens Botanical Garden 

Chinese New Year Celebration at The Discovery Center (Central New York)

You can make a lantern and join in the Dragon Parade and thereby share in the culture and traditions of the Chinese New Year celebration, with the Confucius Institute of Chinese Opera from Binghamton University.

Venue: The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier.

Lunar New Year Celebration Gala (Greater Niagara)

There will be cultural diversity on February 6 at the Atrium and Main Stage rooms within the Center for the Arts at the University at Buffalo’s north campus. From 1-3 pm, there will be a showcase of the traditions of organizations and companies in Erie County, and from 3-5 pm, the Lunar New Year Celebration featuring stunning performers from diverse cultural groups.

Details: Feb 06 at the Center for the Arts.

Lunar New Year Celebration at Alice Tully Hall (New York City)

On Feb 8, there will be a special Lunar New Year performance by the New York Philharmonic. A gala evening will serve as a fundraiser for the Philharmonic, including a pre-concert reception, and a post-concert seated dinner with the artists. 

Venue: Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center

Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade and Festival (New York City)

On February 12, there will be stunning visuals and treats and performances at Chinatown's annual Lunar New Year celebration. Shop fronts get decorated in red and gold, and colorful parades and dragon dances wind through the streets. The parade starts at 1 pm, making its way through the main streets of Little Italy and Chinatown.

Our parent publication Explocity was a proud participant in the parade one year as the official guide to Chinatown.