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Lion dances are traditionally performed in China and among ethnic Chinese communities all over the world to mark the Lunar New Year \u2013 Copyright AFP Arif Kartono<\/p>\nThe Lunar New Year holiday has closed trading floors in mainland China, Seoul and Taipei – Copyright AFP ADEK BERRY <\/p>\n
On Saturday, February 21st, the 2026 Lunar New Year Parade took place in Flushing, Queens, for a massive turnout. <\/p>\n
This marked the fifth of day of the first lunar month, which is known as Po Wu or \u201cBreaking the Five,\u201d in the Year of the First Horse.<\/p>\n
This is a rare but energetic year, which happens every 60 years in the Chinese zodiac cycle. The emphasis is on speed, fast-paced change, uplifting energy, ambition, and intense passion.<\/p>\n
The 2026 Lunar New Year Parade began promptly at 11a.m. at Union Street and 37th Avenue, in front of the local 109th New York Police Department (NYPD) Precinct.<\/p>\n
Flushing is home to the first\u2014and largest\u2014Chinatown neighborhood in Queens, New York. Queens is the borough with one of the world\u2019s largest and fastest-growing Chinese neighborhoods outside of Asia.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s Lunar New Year Parade was a huge draw, where thousands gathered to celebrate, and it featured performers in vibrant costumes, floats, dancing, and traditional Chinese celebrations and traditions.<\/p>\n
Flushing now rivals Manhattan\u2019s Chinatown as a center of Chinese-American culture. In recent years, the Lunar New Year Parade has become an ever-growing annual celebration of Chinese New Year, and rightfully so.<\/p>\n
Similar to the Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival that was held a few days ago at Sara D. Roosevelt Park in New York City, there was a feeling of euphoria in the streets of Main Street, Flushing, during the festivities of this year\u2019s parade.<\/p>\n
Lion dances are traditionally performed in China and among ethnic Chinese communities all over the world to mark the Lunar New Year \u2013 Copyright AFP Arif Kartono<\/p>\n
Bestselling author Dar Dowling stated, \u201cWatching Flushing, Queens celebrate the Lunar New Year was unforgettable. The lion dancers, moving through the streets in their vibrant costumes, carried a rhythm and confidence that felt both ancient and alive.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cWith drums echoing and color everywhere, it felt like the \u2018Year of the Horse\u2019 was arriving at full speed\u2014bold, energized, and full of promise. The moment lifted me, leaving a deep sense of joy and forward motion,\u201d Dowling explained.<\/p>\n
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Lunar New Year shopping helped boost consumption in China in January \u2013 Copyright AFP\/File GREG BAKER<\/p>\n
CEO Gabby Gabriel, who runs the Chinese marketing agency GAB China, remarked, \u201cThe firecrackers, the drums, the red lanterns \u2014 they\u2019re a declaration of renewal. In the heart of Flushing, you can feel the optimism of a new year begin.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always loved that Lunar New Year offers something uniquely powerful \u2014 a second chance at our resolutions, a moment to reset if we didn\u2019t quite get it right in January,\u201d she elaborated. <\/p>\n
\u201cHere on Main Street, that spirit of renewal feels alive and shared by the entire community,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
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The Silver Pride Lion Troupe has coaxed more than a dozen elderly people out of retirement to perform a revered Lunar New Year tradition \u2013 Copyright AFP Roslan RAHMAN<\/p>\n