NYC: Celebrate Chinatown's Lunar New Year Parade

New York City’s Chinatown is ranked #2 on the list of top 10 best Chinatown’s across the US, according to USA TODAY. Having one of the largest Chinatown neighborhoods in the US, Chinatown NYC is no shortage of bright colors, liveliness, and culture.

January 2020 marks the Year of the Metal Rat. According to Chinese tradition, rats are seen as a sign of prosperity and luck. New Yorkers and non-New Yorkers alike gather in numbers to experience the festivities associated with the lunar new year. According to Newsweek, a whopping 500,000 people attend the parade in anticipation of colors, confetti, music, and food. February 9th marked the official date of NYC’s Chinese lunar parade. The beginning of the parade itself starts on Canal and Mott Street. Think a sea of people in bright colors, dancers, freebies gently tossed from floats and of course dragons. Of all the sumptuous festivities, dancers & dragons are by far the most spectacular acts to see. Think fluid movements of dragon mascots between and by the crowd as confetti drizzles down on you. The overall experience will have one smiling with oohs and aahs. The bonus? Every street corner is festive-rich, making for memorable and Instagrammable moments. While the parade starts on Canal and Mott streets, feel free to join at any intersection on canal.

My last tip/ recommendation has to do with everyone’s favorite. Food, of course. If you’re in Chinatown for the parade or just a stroll through my recommendation for great ambience paired with delicious Chinese dishes is Peachy’s. Filled with cherry blossoms, scenic decor and unique drinks Peachy’s makes for a great happy hour or night out with friends, family, or your significant other. Enjoy!

*All Photos done by Spoodio Photography