LUNAR NEW YEAR 2026: YEAR OF THE FIRE HORSE

Join Think!Chinatown in our many Lunar New Year celebrations. On New Years Day and Super Saturday, we'll be on Mott Street amongst the celebratory lions with "Xiao Bao Ma" a portable installation by T!C's Lantern Artist in Residence, Sarula Bao. Our studio will be busy with many programs like a hands-on paper cut workshop with Ling Tang, and a community dumpling workshop, and a family-friendly mahjong party! Greet your neighbors with lucky New Year sayings at our Bainian Teahouse. Outside of Chinatown, T!C will be at the Met Museum and the Tenement Museum for some special LNY workshops.

Check out our Lunar New Year lineup below and RSVP your spot!

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Think!Chinatown Goes to the Met Museum!
Feb 7
Think!Chinatown Goes to the Met Museum!

[Sat Feb 7, 12-5pm] Think!Chinatown is going uptown to the Met! Hear more about our Lunar New Year programs and take photos with our beautiful display. All activities are free with Museum admission, and no registration is required. Museum Admission is pay as you wish for NYC residents. Please purchase admission via the Met Museum.

Claypot Rice: A Taste & Talk Workshop w/ Jon Kung
Feb 11
Claypot Rice: A Taste & Talk Workshop w/ Jon Kung

[Wed Feb 11, 2026 from 6-8PM] Join us for a cooking demo with Jon Kung! We’ll be learning how to make claypot rice. — RSVP for your spot!

LNY Day 1: Lantern Reveal 農曆初一：燈籠落成揭幕
Feb 17
LNY Day 1: Lantern Reveal 農曆初一：燈籠落成揭幕

On the first day of the New Year, Think!Chinatown will join the festivities, check out the lions and celebrate LNY in Chinatown and you’ll see us on Mott St where we’ll reveal our annual Lantern Artist-in-Residency project. Free!

LNY Papercut Decorations w/ Ling Tang
Feb 19
LNY Papercut Decorations w/ Ling Tang

Get into the Lunar New Year spirit and make your own decorations in a hands-on workshop led by artist Ling Tang! In this workshop, you will explore the cultural history of Lunar New Year decorations, explore folding techniques to create continuous and circular chuanghua 窗花 patterns, and design your own 2D and 3D papercut art. — RSVP here

Lunar New Year Teahouse: Bai Nian at T!C’s Studio 春節茶室：心目華埠工坊大拜年
Feb 22
Lunar New Year Teahouse: Bai Nian at T!C’s Studio 春節茶室：心目華埠工坊大拜年

Greet your neighbors with lucky Lunar New Year sayings and chat over prosperity tray goodies and freshly brewed tea. Bring something to share like lucky fruits or a red envelope donation! — RSVP with donation is highly encouraged!

Lunar New Year Altar-Making with Think!Chinatown and the Tenement Museum
Feb 23
Lunar New Year Altar-Making with Think!Chinatown and the Tenement Museum

To ring in the Year of the Horse, join the Tenement Museum and Think!Chinatown for a special workshop on altar-making. You’ll get to make your own offering with artist Alison Kuo. For tickets, please go to the Tenement Museum’s website.

Super Saturday Lantern Celebration 超級星期六燈籠慶典
Feb 28
Super Saturday Lantern Celebration 超級星期六燈籠慶典

We're joining in on the Super Saturday festivities with our Year of the Horse lantern by Artist-in-Residence Sarula Bao! Take your family photos, greet your neighbors, and enjoy the confetti at Mott St from 3-5PM.

Mahjong Party
Mar 1
Mahjong Party

Practice your mahjong 麻將 skills with friendly games between friends and neighbors - all player levels welcome! Tables are first come first serve with rotations every 30 minutes. — RSVP here for priority, limited walk-ins are available.

Dumpling Wrapping Workshop
Mar 7
Dumpling Wrapping Workshop

Learn about doughwork in dumpling making at T!C’s cozy kitchen studio. You’ll watch a demo on how to make dough, try your hand at rolling out your wrappers, and practice wrapping dumplings with new friends. For individuals and friends! —RSVP Here.

MAKE DUMPLINGS, MAKE A DIFFERENCE

We’re offering two special sessions this LNY for dumpling making workshops in T!C's cozy kitchen studio, perfect for team building opportunities or ERG get-togethers. Proceeds from these events will support our year-round community programs. So grab your colleagues or your friends! Register below, we’ll get in touch!

REGISTER HERE

LANTERN ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE

This year’s Lantern Artist is… Sarula Bao! Dive into Sarula’s lantern project, “Xiao Bao Ma”.

 
 

Since 2019, Think!Chinatown has commissioned artists to interpret the concept of the lantern as part of our annual Lantern Artist-In-Residency to celebrate the Lantern Festival and the new year. Our lantern art installation adds to the grassroots festivities of Chinatown by inserting our feminine energy amongst the traditionally male-dominated lion dancing celebrations.

T!C LANTERNS

Think!Chinatown’s 2026 Lunar New Year programming is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Additional leadership support for Think!Chinatown is generously provided by the Andrew Mellon Foundation, Ameriprise Financial, and many individual friends and donors.