Lunar New Year Parade & Festival – Sunday’s Massive Dragon Dance Procession Through Chinatown
The legendary Lunar New Year Parade & Festival in NYC bursts on Sunday, March 1, 2026 (1 PM) along Mott Street to Manhattan Bridge through the Chatham Square- dragon/ lion dances, firecrackers, martial arts, floats celebrating Year of the Horse (28 th). Free spectator event attracts 100K+; Chinatown streets shut down 12-5 PM. After the parade, Festival Sara D. Roosevelt Park also has dumplings, games, and performances. Better Chinatown NYC organizes; there will be 20 or more lions, bands, queens. Assuming the weather is good, the date will be arranged. Go out with dim sum- there are plenty of karaoke joints. Sister events same weekend, Flushing/Sunset Park.
Parade Route & Timing
Starts Mott/Hester 1 PM; east Canal-Chatham Sq-East Broadway-Forsyth/Grand ends ~3 PM. Road closures Canal south; arrive early Canal St station.
Festival Activities
Park post-parade dumplings, crafts, lion blessings, and family photo ops. Vendors’ street food and cultural shows till 6 PM.
Year of the Horse Symbolism
Horse zodiac brings speed, energy, and prosperity; dragon dances chase evil spirits, ushering fortune.
Visitor Logistics
Free entry; Canal St Q/N/R/W MTA. Street parking is banned; rideshare drop Canal/Broadway. Kid-friendly strollers OK on sidewalks.
Official Social Update
FAQs
Exact route/time 2026?
1PM Mott/Hester start; Mott-Canal-Chatham-East Broadway-Forsyth/Grand end ~3PM. Festival park after.
Free or tickets needed?
Free watch; VIP floats optional, donate. Massive crowds—stake Canal views early.
Rain policy details?
Typically proceeds light rain (lions waterproof); heavy cancels TBA betterchinatown.com.
Family/pet friendly?
Yes, kids love dragons; service animals OK. Strollers navigate route; leashed petsare discouraged noise.
Other boroughs events?
Flushing Queens, Sunset Park Brooklyn same weekend; Manhattan flagship 100K attendees.
