It feels like just yesterday that we rang in 2022. While it’s been a month, the beginning of the year always seems like a blur to us. Maybe it’s the snow or the great playoff football we’ve been so lucky to enjoy. So, while we wait for the Superbowl, we get to celebrate New Years again! It will look a little different but still familiar to us New Yorkers. The New Year of course is a bit more specific to the Chinese contingency but open for all of us to celebrate. This is what New York is all about. Oh, it’s also the year of the tiger which is pretty bad ass.
There are many ways to celebrate the occasion. To start, you should definitely head to Chinatown and grab some of your favorite Chinese food. Next, mark your calendars for February 1st and February 22nd. There’s plenty of other ways to party but for us the New Year Firecracker Ceremony on February 1st and the New Year Parade on the 22nd are events we look forward to all year!
The New Year Firecracker Ceremony is officially the start of the Lunar New Year, and it comes out loud! Better Chinatown USA’s firecracker festival takes place on the first day of the New Year. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and typically includes a day of performances, arts and crafts, and a firework display, a tradition said to ward off evil spirits. You don’t want to miss the kickoff!
The 24th annual Lunar New Year Parade returns to Chinatown this year after a hiatus for you know what. The parade starts at 1 p.m. on Mott and Canal Streets and moves to Chattam Square to East Broadway, towards the Manhattan Bridge, and ending near Sara D. Roosevelt Park. The free event also includes vendors and live performances celebrating the Year of the Tiger.
It’s a party that represents everything that New York stands for. The melting pot of cultures and celebrating together! Happy New Year!
For more information, visit betterchinatown.com.