Chasing The Dragon: How To Watch The Lunar New Year Parade in New York City

Tradition is one of those things I found stifling when I was younger, something I desperately needed to break free of. Being of mixed race meant having two sets of rules to adhere to. It meant being saddled by two laborious sets of obligations. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve developed a renewed understanding and appreciation for it. Community becomes less about conforming and more about belonging.

Luckily for me, New York City has a diverse population, and it gives me plenty of opportunities to connect with my community. When the Lunar New Year rolls around, I can pick from a variety of options to celebrate. The city has five(!) different Chinatowns, each with their own festivities. But the Lunar New Year Parade in Manhattan’s Chinatown is the most well-known, and draws a massive, diverse crowd each year.

When is the Lunar New Year?

The Lunar New Year, which is also sometimes called Chinese New Year when celebrated outside of China, falls on different dates each year. This is because the traditional Chinese calendar follows a lunisolar cycle, while the Gregorian calendar is based on the Earth’s cycle around the sun. In a lunisolar cycle, a new month starts each time the Earth, the sun and the moon is aligned, which is every 29 to 30 days. Just like the Gregorian calendar has a leap year every four years, the Chinese calendar needs to accommodate months that have more than one solar term. So every two to three years, there are 13 months in the year. These differences are why the Lunar New Year celebration falls on a different date of the western calendar each year.

Every lunar year has a representative zodiac. The Chinese zodiac has a 12-year cycle with the following order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. Similar to western zodiac signs, there are personality traits, strengths and weaknesses believed to be more prominent in each zodiac. It’s commonly used to set up auspicious matches. If you’re curious about your Chinese zodiac, you can look it up by your birth year.

Chinatown is a great neighborhood to explore even when there isn't a parade to watch! From delicious sweets to affordable massages, here are some fun things to do in New York City's Chinatown!

How is the Lunar New Year celebrated?

The Lunar New Year festivities traditionally begin on New Year’s Eve with a Reunion Dinner that brings the whole family together. At midnight, firecrackers are set off to scare away the legendary monster Nian. Then celebrations continue for 15 days, until the full moon arrives with the Lantern Festival. Bright red decorations in sparkling clean homes usher in good fortune for the year, while red packets filled with cash are passed from older generations to younger generations to expel evil spirits. Festivities vary by location, but common activities include dragon and lion dances, yangko dances and stilt walking.

Who organizes the Manhattan Lunar New Year Parade?

Better Chinatown USA is a volunteer-based organization that “seeks to build community solidarity and generate greater awareness of Chinatown and Asian-Chinese American culture”. Every year, they organize the Firecracker Ceremony on the actual day of the Lunar New Year, which takes place at the Sara D. Roosevelt Park in Manhattan’s Chinatown. Then, on a Sunday over the next 15 days, the annual Lunar New Year Parade takes place. 

Besides these two Lunar New Year events, Better Chinatown USA’s other efforts include the annual Autumn Moon Festival celebration, the Lantern Festival, and other community-based activities like talent competitions and cultural parades.

How do I watch the Lunar New Year Parade?

It’s not an exaggeration to state that Manhattan’s Lunar New Year Parade draws spectators from far and wide. Whether you’re looking to learn about Chinese culture, take some great photos, or just attend a fun family-friendly celebration, the parade checks all those boxes and more.  It includes marching bands, lion dance troupes and dancers from all facets of the New York City Chinese and Chinatown community. Among those represented in the parade are specialty groups like the New York City Chinese Qipao Association, regional associations like the Club of Great Guangzhou and groups with special bonds like Families with Children from China. 

If you’d like to witness this extravaganza for yourself, here are some helpful tips:

Know the parade route

Better Chinatown USA publishes a map of the route ahead of the parade every year, or you can find it on Google Maps on the day of. The route is about a mile long and snakes through the heart of Chinatown. You have many opportunities to position yourself along its path. The parade usually begins at 1:00 pm, but remember that the further along the route you are, the longer you have to wait for the parade to make its way to you. Note that street closures extend beyond the path so avoid driving at all costs. The main subways will get you there fastest, but expect high traffic and plan accordingly.

Pro Tip: If you'd like a unique perspective of the parade and you're able to commit the time, consider applying to be a parade volunteer!

Get there early

For prime photo and viewing opportunities, get as close to the barricades as you can. Once the crowd forms the lines will be several people deep and movement will be restricted along the parade route. So find a good spot and stick to it! Remember that spectators count in the thousands, with travelers coming from outside the city to enjoy the festivities. Because movement through the crowds is challenging, you could be standing in the same location for a while in advance of the parade, and well after.   

Dress for the weather

The Lunar New Year Parade lasts for several hours and occurs rain or shine. So remember to check the weather forecast and come prepared. Even in milder temperatures, being exposed to wind and rain over a prolonged period of time can be harsh. Avoid bulky bags, which might be searched. And keep your hands free so you can take great pics and set off those fun confetti cannons!

Conclusion

Holidays are always a difficult time for those of us living away from our families. Dinner tables feel particularly empty, homes feel particularly quiet. For me, celebrating the Lunar New Year brings back a flood of childhood memories. But honestly, the sensational Lunar New Year Parade in New York City can make anyone feel like a kid again.

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