Lunar New Year will be celebrated starting February 17, and wrap up with the Lantern Festival on March 3. 2026 is the Year of the Horse, which symbolizes vibrant energy, adventure, vitality, and momentum. Past Years of the Horse include 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966 and 1954.
Colorful celebrations are underway around New Jersey, with plenty of opportunities for you and the kids to ring in the Year of the Horse.
Throughout February
Year of the Horse
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Atlantic City
The Borgata will celebrate the Asian community through celebrations, decor and authentic dining. On February 21, the Lunar New Year celebration will feature lion dancers, live Chinese singers and giveaways. Throughout the property, look for hand-painted Koi fish, larger-than-life cherry blossom trees in the Porte Cochere, giant lanterns at the entrance of the casino floor, and large-scale red envelopes and gold coins in the retail piazza. The new pan-Asian restaurant, Noodles, serves house-made noodles, BBQ, seafood, dim sum and vegetable dishes. There is also a new Asian Gaming space on the casino floor
February 12
Ascend New Jersey Lunar New Year Celebration
Noodle Lee, Parsippany
There will be lots of food and performances during the dinnertime event.
February 14
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company Procession
Newark
The Lunar New Year procession will start from NJPAC, go through the Military Park, toward the Newark Museum by Halsey Street, and back via Broad Street. The parade will be accompanied by traditional cymbals and drum music to celebrate the coming of Spring and welcome the Year of the Horse.
Community Day: Lunar New Year
Newark Museum of Art, Newark
Following the Lunar New Year procession outside, the afternoon inside the museum will include a lion and dragon dance, Korean music, martial arts demos, a traditional Taiwanese puppet tale (that integrates Black History Month), a lantern-making workshop and Chinese instruments.
February 14-15
Lunar New Year: Year of the Horse
New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark
The program by Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company includes a Lion Dance and a Dragon Dance, live music on Chinese instruments, and then cultural crafts in the lobby.
February 15
Lunar New Year Spectacular
American Dream, East Rutherford
Impact Culture NYC will bring lion dances and other traditional performances ranging from top artists to Kung Fu demonstrations.
February 17
Lunar New Year Dumplings & Knife Skills For Life Skills
Montclair Culinary Academy, Montclair
Celebrate the Year of the Horse by making veggie and chicken dumplings, to represent strength, wisdom and freedom.
February 18
Chinese New Year Celebration
Taste and Technique, Fair Haven
Chef Heather Harm will teach teens and adults how to make scallion pancakes, Korean rice cake soup, kimchi udon noodles, Chinese long beans with pork and ginger, and sticky rice pudding with mango.
February 19
Lunar New Year Celebration
Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit
Celebrate the Year of the Horse with crafts, music and stories. Kids ages 5-10 (you can drop them off or stay with them) will explore Lunar New Year traditions and learn about the fascinating creatures and plants central to the festivities.
February 20
K-Pop Party Night
Philadelphia Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA
This Lunar New Year celebration includes a K-Pop party, where you can dance to DJ music, and drop in for artmaking inspired by Korean art in the museum’s collection.
February 21
Lunar New Year Celebration
MarketFair, Princeton
There will be live music, dance performances, Chinese opera, cultural refreshments (including bubble tea), games and crafts.
Lunar New Year Celebration
Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Edison
Celebrate the Year of the Horse with the community.
Lunar New Year Origami Workshop
Eclectic Chic Boutique, Montclair
An instructor will teach you how to fold paper into traditional origami horses and festive paper lanterns.
Chinese New Year Celebration
Rutherford Hall, Allamuchy
The event is hosted by Mei Jin Lu, PhD, a direct descendant of the Taoist master Lu Dongbin and the 25th-generation lineage holder of the Quanzhen Taoist sect.
February 21-22
Lunar New Year @ The Commons
Bridgewater Commons, Bridgewater
Drums, cymbals and gong instruments will play during the dragon dance, believed to bring good luck and fortune. Take part in Chinese arts and crafts, and ask for traditional red envelopes filled with treats.
February 26
Lunar New Year Gala
The DiMenna Center for Classical Music, New York, NY
Celebrate The Year of the Horse through music and dance with Naini Chen Dance Company. Saffron 59 will provide Asian food and drinks.
March 1
Lunar Fest NJÂ
The Woodland, Maplewood
There will be cultural performances representing Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Southeast Asian culture, including children’s activities, food and local AAPI vendors.
Through March 8
Lunar New Year at American Dream
American Dream, East Rutherford
Celebratory events include a youth talent competition, K-Pop dance competition, concerts, fashion shows, a spring festival gala, a Lunar New Year spectacular, the lighting of the Dream Wheel, a photography contest, opera night, and a Sunflower Lantern Festival Gala.
Previous Events
January 15
Year of the Horse
Newport Centre, Jersey City
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with activities that include red dragon crafts, personalizing wooden star ornaments, and drawing your wishes for the new year ahead.
January 18
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company: The Red Firecracker
White Eagle Hall, Jersey City
The late choreographer Nai-Ni Chen created this performance to celebrate Chinese immigrant culture and Lunar New Year using vibrant props, costumes, music, acrobatics and dance.
January 31
Oshogatsu: New Year’s Celebration
Japan Society, New York, NY
After watching a Japanese taiko drum performance, kids will be invited on stage for a hands-on drum mini-workshop. There will be traditional activities like New Year’s calligraphy, lion dancing and other New Year’s-themed crafts. Japanese boxed lunches and snacks will be available for purchase from BentOn.
February 4-5
Lunar New Year: Year of the Horse
Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts, Toms River
The program by Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company includes a Lion Dance and a Dragon Dance, live music on Chinese instruments, and then cultural crafts in the lobby.
February 7
Lunar New Year Celebration
NJPAC, Newark
Seattle Symphony Associate Conductor Sunny Xia and Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Winner Haochen Zhang make their New Jersey Symphony debut in this family-centered concert that celebrates music from East and West.
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