Thousands Celebrate Lunar New Year in Chinatown Parade

New York City Mayor and Governor join in festivities, reaffirm support for Asian American community

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Thousands of New Yorkers, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul, celebrated the Lunar New Year with a lively parade through Chinatown on Sunday. The festivities featured elected officials reaffirming their commitment to the Asian American community and addressing concerns over immigration enforcement.

Why it matters

The Lunar New Year parade is a longstanding tradition in New York's Chinatown, celebrating the cultural diversity and vibrancy of the Asian American community. The event's attendance by top political leaders underscores the importance of supporting and uplifting marginalized communities, especially amid concerns over immigration policies.

The details

The parade kicked off on Mott and Hester Streets, with dozens of elected officials, including Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul, delivering remarks in support of the Asian American community. Hochul pledged to fight against increased ICE enforcement, stating 'You have helped us make this such an enriched, diverse, fascinating place, and we don't want to lose one fiber of that.' Despite previously stating he would not march in parades, Mamdani attended the event, sharing his pride in celebrating the Lunar New Year festivities.

  • The parade began just after 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The Mayor of New York City who attended the Lunar New Year parade, despite previously stating he would not march in parades.

Kathy Hochul

The Governor of New York who attended the Lunar New Year parade and pledged to fight against increased ICE enforcement targeting the Asian American community.

Grace Lee

A New York State Assembly Member who invited Mayor Mamdani to attend the Lunar New Year parade.

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What they’re saying

“To those who call this place your home, and are feeling under attack right now and worried about immigration enforcement force, know that we are on your side. We are going to try to do everything we can to protect you, and we are going to try and shut that down.”

— Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York (amny.com)

“This is such a critical part of what makes us proud to be New Yorkers, to be here and celebrate this community, this celebration together as one. And we know that this is the year of the fire horse. This is the year that we are celebrating the dynamism that comes with this.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (amny.com)

The takeaway

The Lunar New Year parade in New York's Chinatown serves as a powerful symbol of the city's diversity and commitment to supporting its Asian American residents, even amid concerns over immigration enforcement. The attendance of top political leaders underscores the importance of uplifting marginalized communities and celebrating their cultural traditions.