Celebrating the Lunar New Year in Lincoln Square

As the Lunar New Year (February 10 - 24) approaches, Lincoln Square is gearing up to roar into the Year of the Dragon.

Lincoln Center is starting the party early with a Lunar New Year's Eve Celebration, complete with a live DJ, on February 9 at 7:00pm. The celebrations continue the next day at 11:00am with a family-friendly party featuring a beloved lion dance performance. Witnessing this traditional dance is the perfect way to usher in good luck and fortune for the new year. These events will both take place at the David Rubenstein Atrium (61 W 62nd Street) and promise delicious goodies, fun demonstrations, crafts, karaoke, dancing, and meditation.

For those seeking a more classical experience, the New York Philharmonic will present a Lunar New Year concert on February 20 at 7:00pm in David Geffen Hall's Wu Tsai Theater (10 Lincoln Center Plaza). Conductor Long Yu will conduct the World Premiere of Elliot Leung’s Lunar Overture; Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, with Clara-Jumi Kang as soloist; selections from Zhou Tian’s Transcend; and Saint-Saëns’s Carnival of the Animals, narrated by Jamie Bernstein and featuring pianists Clayton Stephenson and Serena Wang as soloists. The Phil is also hosting a Lunar New Year Gala, which includes a pre-concert cocktail reception, prime concert seating, and an elegant dinner with the artists after the concert.

The new year is also being celebrated at Jazz at Lincoln Center (10 Columbus Circle). Reserve tickets today to enjoy The Sound of Spring, an authentic Chinese New Year concert featuring dramatic orchestral works and world-class Chinese instrument soloists. The concert begins at 3:00pm on February 11 at the Rose Theater, but there will be a pre-concert Chinese instrument "petting zoo" and Lunar New Year activities starting at 2:00pm. Later in the month, pianist and composer Dongfeng Liu and his band will pay homage to the Chinese Lantern Festival on February 26 at 7pm. 

To experience some of the Upper West Side's best Chinese cuisine, visit Shun Lee West or Shun Lee Cafe (43 W 65th St between Columbus Ave and Central Park West). At Shun Lee West, which is open for lunch and dinner, you can find a range of delicious house specialties like Beijing duck and Ants Climb on Tree (minced beef stir fried with glass noodles in spicy garlic sauce). Next door at its sister restaurant, Shun Lee Cafe focuses on shumai, dumplings, buns, and other classic dim sum items.

For a modern take on Asian-American cuisine, head to The Shops at Columbus Circle. Momofuku Noodle Bar serves buns, vegetables, ramen, and noodle dishes, plus desserts like a matcha chocolate tart and miso brown butter chocolate chip cookies. For a more casual meal, Bāng Bar, next door, is a popular to-go spot serving up Korean-inspired wraps and rice bowls.

Mandarin Oriental, New York (80 Columbus Circle) is celebrating the Year of the Dragon in style with a few special curated experiences. Through February 25, plan a luxurious stay at the hotel with a package that includes a daily complimentary continental breakfast for two and late check-out until 3:00pm. For those who are not booking a room, you can still participate in the merriment. On February 13, at the auspicious time of 3:00pm, ring in the Year of the Dragon with a festive celebration of joy and prosperity with a lion dance performance. The performance will make its way outside, so just be sure to gather around the sidewalk near the lobby entrance to catch the show.

MO Lounge, on the 35^th floor of the Mandarin Oriental, will offer a Lunar New Year prix-fixe dinner ($188 per person; book your table here) from February 10 - 20. Among other dishes, the menu includes yu sheng (“prosperity salad”), eight treasures seafood soup, yi mein (“longevity egg noodle”), sweet rice dumplings, and a special Dragon Sidecar cocktail. For those looking to channel their inner zen, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York is highlighting its signature Oriental Qi treatment. A simple, effective, and authentic spa experience, this hands-on massage ritual works on the energy of the meridians using the benefits of essential oils.

Many of the stores at The Shops at Columbus Circle (10 Columbus Circle) are also finding ways to honor the holiday. Williams-Sonoma’s Lunar New Year Collection features animals, mythical creatures, and symbols with significant meaning in Chinese culture to add a vibrant touch to your table. Moleskine has a Lunar New Year and Sakura Collection with artwork by artists representing 3 Asian countries. Diptyque has a limited-edition fragrance (L’Eau Papier), complimentary Lunar New Year gift-wrapping options, and a special gift with your purchase of $180 or more. La Maison du Chocolat’s Year of The Dragon Gift Box is filled with handcrafted delicacies, and the Lovestruck Collection at M.A.C Cosmetics includes a line-up of best sellers for both Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day. Before February 12, customers at Tumi will receive a stainless-steel water bottle as a Lunar New Year gift with each purchase of $400 or more (the bottle is also available for purchase for $40).  

Make sure to stop by Dante Park (Broadway & 63rd Street) for a last look at our Magical Lights, programmed with colors celebrating the Lunar New Year.

There are plenty of ways to embrace the joy and symbolism of the Lunar New Year in Lincoln Square. Whether you're seeking an energetic celebration, family-friendly activities, traditional performances, a classical musical experience, or cultural elements, Lincoln Square has something for everyone to welcome in the Year of the Dragon.

Photo Credit: Mandarin Oriental, New York