The Lunar New Year Parade NYC is an old East Asian tradition. Dragons dance through the streets to ward off evil spirits. Dragon and lion dancers pick up tips from businesses on the route.
This Pan-Asian tradition was spread by the Chinese Diaspora throughout East Asia, Southeast Asia, and wherever there are chinatowns.
Lunar New Year Parade NYC 2026
The 28th Lunar New Year Parade NYC 2026 is in Manhattan Chinatown; near the end of the Lunar New Year spring festival on Sunday, March 1, 2026. The fun begins with a Cultural Festival and Market, on Bayard St between Mulberry and Mott, from 11:30am – 3:30pm. Lunar New Year Parade dragons dance through Manhattan Chinatown to the Lower East Side at 1pm. FREE! 🇨🇳🇰🇭🇰🇷🇰🇵🇯🇵🇲🇳🇵🇭🇸🇬🇹🇼🇹🇭🇺🇸
Traditional Parade Route
- Parade forms on Mott St at Hester St.
- Down Mott St to Chatham Square.
- Across East Broadway to the Manhattan Bridge.
- Up Forsyth St along Sara D. Roosevelt Park to Broome St.