Xīn Nián Hǎo! Gong Hei Fat Choy! Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! Saehae Bok Mani Badeuseyo! Manigong Bagong Taon! Happy (Lunar) New Year! What better way to chase away the winter doldrums than to welcome spring in a celebration of family, friends, and community during the Lunar New Year! Celebrated in China (Chūnjié or Spring Festival), Vietnam (Tết Nguyên Đán), Korea (Seollal), the Philippines (Media Noche), and other (but not all) Asian countries and communities throughout the world, the Lunar New Year brings hope for good luck and prosperity throughout the new year. You will find several Lunar New Year celebrations in Pennsylvania, offering fun and festive lion and dragon dances, delicious traditional foods, and opportunities to try your hand at various Asian crafts. Read on to learn how you can celebrate this years Lunar New Year in PA.
When Is Lunar New Year?
This is the most commonly asked question in the western world surrounding the Lunar New Year. Since the date is based on the moon’s cycles with each cycle lasting about 29 days, the first date of the Lunar New Year varies each year, falling between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20 on the Gregorian calendar depending on the year. In 2025, the new lunar calendar begins with the first new moon on Jan. 29, marking the start of the Chinese New Year.
Lunar New Year Celebration in Philadelphia
Enjoy the Lunar New Year Celebration in Philadelphia with the city’s symphony orchestra! This special concert will blend classical masterpieces with traditional melodies, including Li Huanzhi’s “Spring Festival Overture” and Johann Strauss Jr.’s “Overture to Die Fledermaus.” The concert will be held at Marian Anderson Hall in the Kimmel Center on Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts. Don’t miss this vibrant celebration of music, culture, and the start of the Year of the Snake!
When: Jan. 10
Where: Philadelphia
Cost: Price varies
Lion Dance at the Please Touch Museum
Kids will love this interactive way to ring in the Lunar New Year at the Please Touch Museum. While spending your afternoon at the museum, make your way to Hamilton Hall to join the Philadelphia Suns as they perform the Lion Dance and host calligraphy workshops.
When: Jan. 11
Where: Philadelphia
Cost: Included with admission
Hershey Chocolate World Lunar New Year Celebration
It’s the Year of the Snake and Hershey's Chocolate World is celebrating! On Jan. 19, participate in a name writing translation and watch the Sunshine Dance School Dancers. On Jan. 25, enjoy a performance by the KyoDaiko Drummers using authentic Japanese taiko drums.
When: Jan. 19 & 25
Where: Hershey
Cost: Free
Philadelphia Suns Lion Dance and Parade
Here’s your chance to see a traditional Lion Dance and parade through Chinatown, complete with firecrackers to ward off evil spirits and bring prosperity and good luck in the upcoming year. The Philadelphia Suns is a philanthropic organization based in Philly’s Chinatown providing sports and cultural activities for the Asian community and sharing their amazing culture with the greater community. The Philadelphia Suns will be performing the lion dance at various locales throughout the Philadelphia region during the month of January and February but attend their Lunar New Years Eve and Day performances in Philadelphia’s Chinatown to officially kick off the celebrations.
When: Jan. 28 & Feb. 2
Where: Philadelphia
Cost: Free
Lunar New Year at The Maridon Museum
With its outstanding collection of Asian art, The Maridon Museum invites you to celebrate Lunar New Year during its Chinese New Year’s celebration. There will be musical entertainment, an exciting scavenger hunt, and, of course, delicious hors d’oeuvres and other refreshments. The dress code is casual business attire for this fun event.
When: Jan. 31
Where: Butler
Cost: $60; Must call to reserve tickets before Jan. 24
Lunar New Year at the Philadelphia Rail Park
Dive into the vibrant cultural traditions of Lunar New Year as the Rail Park of Philadelphia hosts another year celebrating the Chinese New Year at their 6th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration! A holiday symbolizing hope and prosperity, this Lunar New Year event invites you to immerse yourself with a flower market, waist drum and tai chi entertainment, and a lion dance performance. Attend this unforgettable event featuring family-friendly crafts, light refreshments, and a sense of community at the former historic Reading and Pennsylvania Railroad lines in the heart of the city.
When: Feb. 1
Where: Philadelphia
Cost: Free
Dilworth Park Lunar New Year
No need to strap on ice skates (but you can if you want to!) for the Lunar New Year celebration at Dilworth Park. Along with performances by the Philadelphia Suns and the Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers, there will be a delicious menu by James Beard Foundation Award-Winning Restaurateur Ellen Yin in the Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin (while supplies last).
When: Feb. 1
Where: Philadelphia
Cost: Free
Lunar New Year Celebration at Franklin Square
Historic Philadelphia, Inc. invites you to celebrate the Year of the Snake in Franklin Square. There will be live performances by the Philly Suns Lion Dancers, crafts for the kids with the Asian Arts Initiative, red envelope surprise giveaways, and a free dumpling workshop with Michael Chow from Sang See, Peking Duck House.
When: Feb. 1
Where: Philadelphia
Cost: Free
Lunar New Year Celebration in Lancaster
Lancaster Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (LAAPI) invite you to join them at Ewell Plaza and Binns Park to celebrate the town's Lunar New Year Celebrations. This family-friendly, multi-cultural celebration includes a feast for the senses with ethnic food vendors showcasing flavors from across Asia, cultural performances and activities, local artisans, and a welcoming celebration to honor heritage, foster understanding, and create lasting memories.
When: Feb. 2
Where: Lancaster
Cost: Free
Lunar New Year Celebration at Pearl S. Buck International
Embracing Pearl S. Buck’s deep love for the people of China after the many years she spent in the country, Pearl S. Buck International is ushering in the Year of the Snake with a fun and family-friendly celebration. There will be live music and dance performances, traditional costumes on display, kids activities, and crafts and games. You can also tour the Pearl S. Buck house during the event.
When: Feb. 8
Where: Perkasie
Cost: Price varies
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