Ring in the Year of the Snake at Bryant Park’s Lunar New Year Celebration
Celebrate Lunar New Year with fun crafts, lively performances, and a spectacular Lion Dance.
Celebrate the Lunar New Year in style without venturing far! On Sunday, February 2, 2025, the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park will come alive with vibrant festivities for its annual Lunar New Year Celebration. Bring your family and immerse yourselves in a joyful celebration filled with tradition, culture, and fun!
This year, the celebration honors the Year of the Snake with an exciting, family-friendly morning filled with culture and fun! Enjoy a dynamic blend of performances, interactive crafts, and hands-on activities—an engaging way for all ages to explore and appreciate Chinese traditions.
Make a Wish
A highlight of the celebration is the beloved Wishing Tree on the Grey Rink Deck. Each year, visitors take part in this beautiful tradition by writing their hopes and dreams on vibrant paper tags and hanging them on the tree—a symbolic way to welcome the new year with optimism and positivity. Don’t miss your chance to add your wish to this inspiring display!
The New York Chinese Cultural Center (NYCCC) sets the stage for an unforgettable celebration with captivating traditional Chinese dance and music performances. From graceful classical dances to lively modern routines, this showcase is a perfect way for kids and families to experience the richness of Chinese culture. With a legacy of sharing Chinese traditions since 1974, NYCCC’s performances are always a highlight of the event—don’t miss the magic they bring to the celebration!
Get Crafty and Get Moving
For families with little artists, the Year of the Snake craft station is a must-visit! Kids can unleash their creativity through drawing, coloring, and hands-on crafting while discovering the rich traditions behind the Lunar New Year. It’s a fun and meaningful way to celebrate—and they’ll have a special keepsake to take home!
For those who love to stay active, don’t miss the Ribbon Dancing Class—a lively and graceful tradition often featured in Chinese celebrations. Participants will learn how to twirl long, flowing ribbons to create mesmerizing, fluid movements. It’s a fantastic way for kids (and adults!) to get moving, express themselves, and try something new.
For an extra dose of excitement, visitors can also join a kung-fu demonstration, where they’ll witness impressive martial arts skills and maybe even pick up a few moves themselves!
Meet the Lions and Watch the Dance
No Lunar New Year celebration is complete without the thrilling Lion Dance! Head to the Upper Terrace to meet the vibrant, playful lions of the New York Chinese Cultural Center (NYCCC) before they take the stage for their dazzling noon performance. Don’t forget to snap a photo with these colorful, energetic lions—it’s the perfect way to capture the spirit of the celebration!
Watch in awe as dancers, dressed in elaborate, colorful lion costumes, bring the tradition to life with a high-energy, rhythmic performance. This dynamic dance is believed to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits, making it a powerful and exciting way to welcome the new year with joy and prosperity!
Since 1974, the New York Chinese Cultural Center has been dedicated to promoting Chinese arts and culture. They offer a wide range of classes, workshops, and performances, covering everything from traditional dance and martial arts to lion dance and visual arts. The center is also home to Dance China New York, a professional dance company that blends traditional folk dance with a modern twist, creating captivating performances that celebrate both history and contemporary creativity.
This Lunar New Year Celebration is the perfect way to spend a morning with your family. With all the festivities happening right in Bryant Park, you can also enjoy the last few weeks of the Winter Village, sip on a cozy hot chocolate, and soak in the stunning views of the city as it embraces a fresh start to the lunar calendar.
Looking for more ways to celebrate the Year of the Snake and Lunar New Year 2025? Check out these amazing family-friendly activities all across New York City and Long Island!
