Boston Celebrates Lunar New Year with Food, Crafts and Dance

From the Museum of Fine Arts to Chinatown, the city offers a variety of ways to welcome the Year of the Horse.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Boston is ringing in the Lunar New Year with a variety of events and activities across the city. Celebrations include art exhibits and workshops at the Museum of Fine Arts and Peabody Essex Museum, a Lunar New Year Night Market at Bow Market, the annual Quincy Lunar New Year Festival, and the iconic Chinatown Lunar New Year Lion Dance parade.

Why it matters

Lunar New Year is an important cultural celebration for many Asian communities in the Boston area. These events help preserve and share traditional customs, foods, and art forms, while also bringing the broader community together to welcome the new year.

The details

The celebrations feature a range of experiences, from viewing museum collections and participating in hands-on art activities to enjoying festive foods, watching lion dances, and browsing local vendor markets. Many of the events are free or pay-what-you-wish, making them accessible to all.

  • Lunar New Year started on February 17, 2026.
  • The Quincy Lunar New Year Festival takes place on February 17, 2026 starting at 12 p.m.
  • The Chinatown Lunar New Year Lion Dance parade runs from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on February 17, 2026.

The players

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

An art museum that is hosting a lineup of Lunar New Year activities, including art exhibits, talks, and performances.

Bow Market

A community market hosting a Lunar New Year Night Market with local vendors, food and drink specials, and lion dance performances.

Peabody Essex Museum

A museum featuring interactive Lunar New Year activities, including a scavenger hunt and a workshop on the art of Chinese paper cutting.

Quincy Lunar New Year Festival

An annual community festival in Quincy, Massachusetts, one of the state's largest Asian communities, featuring food, dance, and cultural performances.

Chinatown Lunar New Year Lion Dance Parade

A long-running parade through Boston's Chinatown neighborhood, featuring the traditional rhythmic drums and firecrackers of the lion dance.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

Boston's diverse Lunar New Year celebrations showcase the city's vibrant Asian American communities and their rich cultural traditions. From museum exhibits to community festivals, these events provide opportunities for all Bostonians to come together and welcome the new year.