Where to Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Philly
Ring in the Year of the Horse with parades, performances, and more.
The Philadelphia Suns the perform the Lion Dance for Lunar New Year. / Photography by Laura Swartz
The Year of the Horse begins February 17th. Want to celebrate? You’ve got lots of options. From parades to festivals to concerts and more (including, of course, a variety of lion dance performances), here’s what Philly has planned to ring in the year.
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Lunar New Year Concert
Naomi Woo conducts an evening that blends western classical favorites with Chinese musical selections.
January 28th, 7:30 p.m., Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street.
CultureFest at the Penn Museum
The Penn Museum’s annual celebration (going strong since 1981!) explores the traditions of Lunar New Year with a full schedule of family-friendly activities: live performances, storytelling, art-making, and a Lion Dance finale. All activities are included with museum admission.
January 31st, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Penn Museum, 3260 South Street.
Dumpling Academy Classes
Yin, Philadelphia’s self-proclaimed “Dumpling Queen,” leads special dumpling-making classes throughout the month for Lunar New Year. Learn to make tangyuan, the round Chinese desert dumplings traditionally eaten on holidays. Tickets are $135, available online, and include all ingredients and instruction.
Various dates from February 7th through March 1st; Philadelphia location disclosed upon registration.
Lunar New Year at Comcast Technology Center
In honor of Lunar New Year, Comcast’s Universal Sphere is themed to Kung Fu Panda from February 2nd through March 6th. You can sign up for a free ride to Panda Village in “Po’s Awesome Lunar New Year Adventure,” then color in your own lantern and scan it to watch it fly in the air on screen. Or check out the lion dance performances by the Philadelphia Suns on February 14th, 16th, and 17th.
February 2nd-March 6th, Comcast Technology Center, 1800 Arch Street.
Chinatown’s Lunar New Year Parades
Gather in Chinatown for a nighttime celebration with lion dancing and a street party from 10 p.m. to midnight on February 16th. The festivities continue on Sunday with drums, firecrackers, and, yup, more dancing lions. (The local businesses give them lettuce to “eat” and spit out for good luck.)
February 16th, 10 p.m.-midnight and February 22nd, 11 a.m.; 10th and Spring streets.
K-Pop Party Night at the Art Museum
The Philadelphia Art Museum celebrates Lunar New Year with a K-Pop dance party featuring a live DJ performance and drop-in art-making inspired by Korean art in the museum’s collection.
February 20th, 5-8 p.m., Philadelphia Art Museum, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Firstival: Chinatown Friendship Gate
As part of the Philadelphia Historic District’s “52 Weeks of Firsts” running throughout 2026, February 21st’s “Saturday Firstival” will celebrate Chinatown’s Friendship Gate, the first authentic Chinese gate in the United States. Expect music and free family-friendly activities at the Crane Community Center, and snap a photo with Anh Ly’s “ONE” sculpture commissioned by Mural Arts Philadelphia for the occasion.
February 21st, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Crane Community Center, 1001 Vine Street.
Lunar New Year at the Please Touch Museum
Philadelphia Suns will come to PTM for performances exploring the lion dance with costumes, movement, and music. The museum will also host interactive Lunar New Year workshops. All activities are included with museum admission.
February 21st, Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic.
Lunar New Year at Franklin Square
Celebrate with the Philadelphia Suns lion dancers, crafts for children with the Asian Arts Initiative, red envelope surprise giveaways, and a free dumpling workshop with Michael Chow from Sang Kee.
February 21st, 5-7 p.m., Franklin Square, 200 North 6th Street.
Lunar New Year Celebration at Dilworth Park
Rothman Rink is celebrating with a prancing lion and traditional Chinese dancers from the Philadelphia Suns by the ice. Plus, skating lessons, and red envelope surprise giveaways (while supplies last).
February 21st, 5-7 p.m., Dilworth Park, 1 South 15th Street.
Lunar New Year at the Rail Park
The free event includes live performances — including a lion dance performance by the Philadelphia Suns, tai chi, and K-Pop dance classes — plus a flower market, family-friendly activities, light refreshments (the bao bar returns!), and horseback riding.
February 21st, 1-4 p.m., The Rail Park, 1300 Noble Street.
Chinatown Chinese New Year Market
Head to the Crane Center for an afternoon supporting AAPI small businesses and local artists.
February 28th, 2-6 p.m., Crane Community Center, 1001 Vine Street.
Lunar New Year Celebration at Parkway Central Library
The library hosts a free afternoon of Asian music and dance performances for all ages, including drumming, dance, a fashion show, and more.
March 14th, 1 p.m., Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street.
