Lunar New Year 2026 events, parades in Bucks County, Philadelphia area

Prepare to welcome the “Year of the Horse,” with many ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Tied to the first new moon, Lunar New Year falls sometime between mid-January and mid-February in Western calendars. This year it begins Tuesday, Feb. 17.

The holiday is celebrated by more than 2 billion people all over the world among many Asian cultures. Since the origin of Lunar New Year spans several countries — including China, Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Mauritius, Macau and Cambodia — traditions around the holiday vary widely across each culture.

The year 2026 will be the Year of the Horse, specifically the Fire Horse, symbolizing “energy, freedom, and forward momentum,” according to Asia Society Texas. The horse is also synonymous with strength, grace and determination, and this zodiac sign serves as a powerful symbol of perseverance, freedom and momentum for the upcoming lunar cycle.

Traditionally regarded as an emblem of confidence and forward motion, the Year of the Horse indicates a period defined by significant opportunity and success.

How many days Lunar New Year is celebrated also varies depending on the culture.

In South Korea, Lunar New Year is called Seollal and lasts for three days. In Vietnam, the tradition is referred to as Tết Nguyên Đán, a week-long celebration. Chinese New Year is celebrated for 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival on March 3.

Looking for ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year, learn more about the holiday or develop a greater appreciation for its traditions?

Here are some nearby Lunar New Year events that may be worth adding to your calendar:

Feb. 16: New Year’s Eve Midnight Parade in Chinatown, Philadelphia

Led by members of the Philadelphia Suns, this late-night parade takes place in the heart of Chinatown with lion dance performances and firecrackers to ward off bad spirits and bless the new year.

• When: Monday, Feb. 16 from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Where: Philadelphia Chinatown
• More info: phillysuns.org/post/2026-lunar-new-year-parade.

Feb. 20: Lunar New Year K-Pop Party Night

Celebrate Lunar New Year with a dance party featuring a live DJ performance of your favorite K-Pop songs and drop-in art-making inspired by Korean art. Event is included with museum admission.

• When: Friday, Feb. 20 from 5–8 p.m.
• Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia.
• More info: philamuseum.org/events/k-pop-party-night.

Feb. 21: Lunar New Year at Please Touch Museum

Celebrate Lunar New Year with a day of family fun featuring a lion dance performance by members of the Philadelphia Suns, hands-on workshops, themed storytimes, Tot Spot activities and parade. Tickets may be reserved online.

• When: Saturday, Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Where: Please Touch Museum, 4231 Ave. of the Republic, Philadelphia.
• More info: pleasetouchmuseum.org/calendar/2026-02-21.

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Feb. 21: Lunar New Year at Pearl S. Buck House in Perkasie

Join Pearl S. Buck International and the Central Bucks Chinese-American Association members for a family-friendly event featuring live musical and dance performances, kids’ activities, food vendors, tours and more as they usher in the Year of the Horse. Tickets can be purchased online.

• When: Saturday, Feb. 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Where: Pearl S. Buck International, 520 Dublin Road, Perkasie.
• More info: pearlsbuck.org/lunar.

Feb. 21: Lunar New Year Dragon Dance at Reading Terminal Market

Join the market for a traditional dance performance in honor of the Lunar New Year.

• When: Saturday, Feb. 21 at 11 a.m.
• Where: Reading Terminal Market, 1136 Arch St., Philadelphia.
• More info: Reading Terminal Market on Instagram.

Feb. 21: Lunar New Year Lion Dance in downtown Media

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a lion dance performance by Hung Gar Kung Fu Academy members that’s to travel through downtown area starting at Plum Street Park at ending at Peking Restaurant.

• When: Saturday, Feb. 21 from 2–4 p.m.
• Where: Starts at Plum Street Park in Media.
• More info: visitmediapa.com/event/2026-lunar-new-year-celebration-lion-dance.

Feb. 21: Lunar New Year Celebration at King of Prussia Mall

The King of Prussia Mall will be hosting its annual Lunar New Year Celebration with a dragon dance procession. Park and enter through the mall entrance near Eataly.

• When: Saturday, Feb. 21 at 3 p.m.
• Where: King of Prussia Mall, 160 N. Gulph Road, King of Prussia.
• More info: simon.com/mall/king-of-prussia.

Feb. 21: Franklin Square Lunar New Year Celebration

Celebrate the Year of the Horse with partners from Philadelphia’s Chinatown with the Philly Suns Lion Dancers at 5 p.m., ice carving, crafts for children with Asian Arts Initiative, red envelope surprise giveaways and a free dumpling workshop with Michael Chow from Sang Kee Peking Duck House.

• When: Saturday, Feb. 21 from 5–7 p.m.
• Where: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia.
• More info: historicphiladelphia.org/events/lunar-new-year-celebration.

Feb. 21: Lunar New Year Celebration at Dilworth Park

This Lunar New Year celebration, presented by Temple University, features a red envelope giveaway to the first 100 guests, and performances by Kun-Yang/Lin Dance, Jiaye Xu of Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance, and the Philadelphia Suns. Ice skating sessions are to be available throughout the evening.

• When: Saturday, Feb. 21 from 5–7 p.m.
• Where: Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th St., Philadelphia.
• More info: centercityphila.org/parks/events/lunar-new-year-celebration/2-21-26.

Feb. 22: New Year’s Day Parade in Chinatown

Led by the Philadelphia Suns, this daytime parade is to take place in the heart of Chinatown with lion dance performances and firecrackers to ward off bad spirits and bless the new year.

• When: Sunday, Feb. 22 at 11 a.m.
• Where: Philadelphia Chinatown, starting at 10th and Spring streets.
• More info: phillysuns.org/post/2026-lunar-new-year-parade.

Feb. 22: Lancaster AAPI’s Annual Lunar New Year Celebration

Gather at Ewell Plaza and Binns Park for a day of festivities including food vendors showcasing flavors from across Asia, cultural performances and activities that honor the stories and traditions of the Asian American Pacific Islander community, games and crafts and a lucky lion dance.

• When: Sunday, Feb. 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Where: Ewell Plaza, 123 N. Queen St., Lancaster.
• More info: lancasteraapi.com/events/2026-lunar-new-year. (This story was republished to correct a time element)

Reporter Michele Haddon covers local news, small business, food and drink, economic revitalization, art and culture for The Intelligencer and Bucks County Courier Times at PhillyBurbs.com. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Lunar New Year 2026 events, parades in Bucks County, Philadelphia area

Reporting by Michele Haddon, Bucks County Courier Times / Bucks County Courier Times

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