Celebrate Lunar New Year in Philly with these 8 events

For some, the new year begins as soon as the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31. Throughout East and Southeast Asian countries and the respective diaspora, however, the new year starts with the first new moon.

In 2025, Lunar New Year begins Jan. 29, ushering in the Year of the Snake.

Lunar New Year is the most important celebration of the year for many Asian cultures, including Chinese, Korean, Thai, Cambodian, and Vietnamese communities.

In Philadelphia, the holiday will be marked with feasts, firecrackers, lion dances in Chinatown, and performances across the city starting this weekend. Whether you want to make dumplings or join a parade, here’s how to celebrate.

» READ MORE: Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Philly restaurants with dinner series, star chef collabs, and once-a-year specials

The Penn Museum hosts its 44th annual Lunar New Year celebration on Jan. 25 in partnership with the American Center for Asian Students and the Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. An event for all ages, there will be activities, including storytelling, art-making, live music, dance performances, and a traditional Lion Dance finale. CultureFest! is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets for one-hour entry windows are $18 per adult. Purchase online.

🕒 Jan. 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.,📍 3260 South St., Philadelphia, Pa., 19104, 📞 215-898-4000, 💵 Tickets: $18 for one-hour entry windows. Purchase online, 🌐 penn.museum

Learn how to prepare and cook traditional dumplings this new year. The Dumpling Academy will host a DIY class focused on dumplings and tangyuan — a dessert made of glutinous rice and sweet fillings like sesame paste. (Note: Shanghai-style wonton soup and/or fried chocolate wonton will be offered in some sessions.) Dumpling ingredients and appetizers will be provided; all you need to bring is a container to take your leftover dumplings home. The sessions are $115 to $125 per adult and $55 to $60 per child (12 and under). There will also be Chinese calligraphy classes offered on Jan. 18 for $50 to $70. Fill out the online form to sign up. Choose from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 7 to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, from Jan. 25 to Feb. 9.

🕒 Saturdays, Jan. 25-Feb. 9, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. or 7-8 p.m.,📍Near Fairmount Park — the address will be disclosed prior to the event, 📞 267-213-6787, 💵 Adults: $115-$125; Children (12 and under): $55-$60, 🌐 dumplingacademy.wixsite.com/dumplingacademy

Ring in the Lunar New Year at the Main Line Art Center in Haverford on Jan. 25. The Philly Suns lion dance group will perform outdoors, followed by martial arts demonstration by Traditional Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy of Philadelphia. Enjoy hands-on art activities for all ages. The event is from noon to 2 p.m. Attend for free with a $10 suggested donation, but be sure to register online.

🕒 Jan. 25, noon-2 p.m., 📍 746 Panmure Road., Haverford, Pa., 19041, 📞 610-525-0272, 💵 Free; $10 suggested donation. Register online, 🌐 mainlineart.org

Enjoy a free, family-friendly event with activities, light refreshments, waist drum and tai chi, and lion dance performances. Head to the Rail Park on Feb. 1 from 1 to 4 p.m. RSVP online.

🕒 Feb. 1, 1-4 p.m.,📍 1300 Noble St., Philadelphia, Pa., 19123, 🌐 therailpark.org

The annual Lunar New Year’s Eve Midnight Parade starts at 10 p.m. on Jan. 28, and the annual Lunar New Year’s Day Parade starts at 11 a.m. on Feb. 2. Both parades begin at 227 N. 10th Street with the Philly Suns lion dance group leading the way through Chinatown. The traditional lion dance and lighting of firecrackers bring good fortune and good luck to the local businesses in the community. Expect dancing, drumming, music, and more for the cultural celebration.

📍227 N. 10th St., Philadelphia, Pa., 19107, 🌐 phillysuns.org/lion-dance

On Feb. 8, enjoy an afternoon of music and dance performances of all ages at the Independence Library branch. The free event to celebrate the Year of the Snake starts at 12:30 p.m.

🕒 Feb. 8, 12:30 p.m.,📍1901 Vine St. (between 19th and 20th Streets on the Parkway, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 📞 215-685-1633, 🌐 freelibrary.org

On Feb. 1, watch a lion dance procession and traditional Chinese dancers at Dilworth Park while sampling Lunar New Year-inspired dishes like wontons and spring rolls, curated by restaurateur Ellen Yin. Ice skating will be available.

🕒 Feb. 1, 5-7 p.m.,📍1 S. 15th St., Philadelphia, Pa., 19102, 🌐 centercityphila.org

Sip cocktails at the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corp.’s annual Chinese New Year Banquet to celebrate the Year of the Snake. PCDC will present the Community Service Award to Romona Riscoe Benson, PECO’s director of corporate and community impact The event will be Feb. 28, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Purchase individual tickets for $150 online.

🕒 Feb. 28, 5-8:30 p.m.,📍1001 Vine St., Philadelphia, Pa., 19107, 💵 $150 per ticket. Purchase online, 🌐 chinatown-pcdc.org