Written by Lacey Pfalz, TravelPulseDaily, February 13, 2026
Lunar New Year is one of the biggest holidays at the beginning of the calendar year, with around a quarter of the world’s population visiting with family and friends to celebrate it, which ushers in the beginning of the lunisolar calendar year.
This year, it’s being celebrated on February 17, 2026, the night of the first New Moon, ushering in the Chinese Year of the Horse.
While the holiday is less popular in the United States, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some incredible opportunities for travelers and residents alike to celebrate the Lunar New Year!
We’ve compiled this starter list as inspiration—but chances are, if you live near a sizable metro area, there’s at least one fun experience to enjoy for the Lunar New Year.
Check out the exciting celebrations below to spark your inspiration, and be sure to do some research to find out how you can celebrate the Year of the Horse.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is home to a large Asian American community that hosts celebrations every year during the Lunar New Year.
From February 7-8, Orlando honored Vietnamese culture with the Tet Festival 2026, an annual event in its 33rd year, and it is free for visitors! Located at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, travelers to the annual event can taste Vietnamese food, enjoy indoor and outdoor activities, watch live performances with music and dancing and learn how to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Later in the month, on February 22, is the 14th annual Central Florida Dragon Parade. A beloved staple of Lunar New Year celebrations in Chinese culture is dragon dances, and this is the festival to visit to experience it firsthand. In addition to people wearing long dragon costumes, attendees at this free event can enjoy marching band music and cultural performances, culminating in a festival market featuring artisan vendors and food stalls.
Grand Prairie, Texas
The town of Grand Prairie, Texas, will be hosting a 3-weekend-long celebration for the Lunar New Year! The 19th Annual Lunar New Year at Asia Times Square is a free and family-friendly event held on February 6-8, February 13-15, and February 21-22, providing plenty of time to visit.
Visitors can enjoy delicious food, cultural performances, firecrackers and other Lunar New Year staples, followed by browsing one of the largest Asian markets in Texas, where they’ll find grocers selling Asian foods, local vendors and more.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle knows how to do its cultural celebrations right, complete with lively dragon dances, delicious food and a celebration of Asian American culture.
There are several celebrations for residents and visitors to love: Tết in Seattle kicks off February 14-15 at the Seattle Center, complete with cultural performances, traditional food and a fashion show. The Lunar New Year Celebration: Year of the Horse kicks off on March 7 as a free event in the Chinatown-International District, complete with performances, food trucks and more.
The Lunar New Year Family Festival at the Seattle Art Museum is held on February 21, offering a family-centered experience with lion dancing, gallery exploration, art activities, and more. The festival is available to enjoy with a regular admission ticket.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas loves a good party, so it’s no surprise that residents and visitors alike can find a lot to celebrate for the Lunar New Year.
Resorts World Las Vegas is hosting a Lunar New Year celebration, complete with a lion and dragon dance on February 21, complete with a lettuce blessing and a firecracker finale.
Taiwanese singer Tsai Chin will be performing on February 14 at the Resorts World Theatre in a one-night-only event.
Fashion Show Las Vegas will be transformed into a celebration of Asian American culture, with new immersive decor and a lantern display, a Lunar New Year Festival on February 22, complete with a lion dance performance, a music performance by K-Star Training Academy and more.
Grand Canal Shoppes will offer its own lion blessing at St. Mark’s Square on February 19, with celebratory performances the entire weekend long, photo opportunities, festive decorations and more.