Chinese New Year: Parades And Events For The Year Of The Pig

CHINATOWN, NY — Lunar New Year begins Tuesday with the Year of the Pig. Celebrate Chinese New Year, according to the traditional Chinese calendar, at events and festivals citywide throughout the week. Chinatown's annual Lunar New Year parade will come later this month on Feb. 17.

Below is Patch's list of festivities to celebrate the Year of the Pig that we'll update as celebrations continue.

Lunar New Year Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival

When: Feb. 5 at 11 a.m.

Where: Sara D. Roosevelt Park at Grand St. between Chrystie and Forsyth Sts.

What: The Better Chinatown Society kicks off the Year of the Pig with live cultural performances, vendors, and firecrackers. The festival is free and will last through 3:30 p.m.

Lunar New Year in Prospect Park

When: Feb. 5 at 12 p.m.

Where: Prospect Park Audubon Center, 101 East Dr. and Lefferts Historic House, 452 Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn

What: Celebrate the Year of the Pig with the Prospect Park Alliance at the Lefferts Historic House to learn about the Lunar New Year and attend a class on how to make paper-lanterns. For other Prospect Park activities, check out indoor and outdoor nature programs at the Prospect Park Audubon Center beginning at 12 p.m. for family-friendly activities. Nature activities begin at 12 p.m., a "bird nerds" game begins at 1 p.m., a naturalist will lead children and families around the center to learn about wintertime nature at 2 p.m., and a program to learn about the Audubon Center's animal collection begins at 3 p.m.

New York Philharmonic's Lunar New Year Celebration

When: Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Lincoln Center, David Geffen Hall at 10 Lincoln Center Plaza at W. 65th St.

What: The Lincoln Center features the New York Philharmonic's annual Lunar New Year celebration with a "Fire Ritual," a violin performance by Oscar winner Tan Dun, among other performers. The show lasts an hour and 15 minutes, no intermission. Tickets, $35 to $115. To purchase tickets, click here.

Flushing, Queens Lunar New Year Parade and Reception

When: Feb. 9 at 9:30 a.m. for refreshments, 11 a.m. for the parade

Where: Historic St. George's Church at 135-32 38th Ave. in Flushing, Queens

What: Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce's Lunar New Year festivities will provide hot coffee at the Historic St. George's Church before parade-goers head towards the parade site at 11 a.m. The celebration will feature performances by groups including Queens Fencing Club and EPIC 88, a K-pop cover group. For more information, click here.

Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade and Festival

When: Feb. 17 at 1 p.m.

Where: Chinatown, Lower Manhattan

What: The Better Chinatown Society's annual parade begins Sun., Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. The parade starts at Hester and Mott Sts. heading southbound along Mott to Chatham Square. The parade continues to East Broadway and heads northbound along Forsyth St. before finishing on the east side of Sara D. Roosevelt Park.

Chinese New Year Temple Bazaar

When: Feb. 17 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Where: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Boulevard at the corner of Linden Pl. in Flushing, Queens

What: The Flushing Town Hall hosts a fair with performances, art-making, lantern-making, and food in two sessions beginning at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets, $5. To purchase tickets, click here.

Image credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images. Image caption: Dancers perform in Chinatown's annual Lunar New Year festival on Feb. 16, 2018.