South Street Seaport Museum Announces Lunar New Year at the Seaport Museum

Kick off your Lunar New Year celebrations with the South Street Seaport Museum and welcome the Year of the Horse at one of the city’s first festivities of the season! Bring the whole family to participate in a joyful day filled with free General Admission to the Seaport Museum, multiple lion dance performances, and hands-on activities to enrich your visit to the Museum.

Feel the excitement as lively lion dancers leap and twirl aboard the 1885 tall ship Wavertree at 2pm, then follow the fun as the lions parade down Fulton Street, passing the Museum’s Schermerhorn Row galleries. The celebration continues with another energetic performance at 2:30pm in front of the Museum’s Bowne & Co., Stationers shop and A.A. Thomson & Co. exhibition galleries on Water Street. Afterward, don’t miss a special family photo opportunity with the lions at 3pm—a perfect moment to commemorate the day.

From 2:30 to 4:30pm, kids and adults alike can join a maritime-inspired craft activity and create their own festive Lion Chain to take home.

Access to the lion dances is included in your free General Admission ticket to the Seaport Museum. Tickets are free but preregistration is encouraged. Walkups will be accommodated as possible. Book free general admission and lion dance here.

Nautical Chinese Lion Chains

2:30–4:30pm | 207 Water Street | Free

Continue the Lunar New Year celebration with a hands-on, maritime-inspired craft! Create your own Chinese Lion Chain decoration using colorful paper links inspired by the signal flags sailors use to communicate at sea. It’s a festive activity for all ages and a fun way to blend Lunar New Year traditions with seafaring creativity.

Drop in anytime between 2:30 and 4:30pm to participate—no time slot required. Activities are first-come, first-served, with last admission at 4:30pm. Tickets are free but preregistration is encouraged. Walkups will be accommodated as space allows.