Lunar New Year (also sometimes called Chinese New Year or Spring Festival) is celebrated in many countries whose new year begins with the lunar calendar’s first full moon. This year, the celebrations will run from February 17 to March 3, 2026 (the Lantern Festival). It’s celebrated with bright colors, red envelopes, lanterns, and delicious food.
With Chinese New Year events and ideas for in-home celebrations, families can ring in the Year of the Horse with good luck, peace, and hope.
2026 Chinese New Year Events in Chicagoland
Lunar New Year Celebration (Buffalo Grove)
January 24, 2026 | 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Make lanterns, kites and masks at this festive event. Participation is free, but food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Jewel Osco Chinese New Year
February 6, 2026 | 1:00pm – 5:00pm
1340 S. Canal Street
Chicago, IL 60607
Chefs will show you how to prepare delicious food and drink recipes for the upcoming holiday, share about the holiday’s history, and more. Lion dance performance and live traditional Chinese music.
Lunar New Year Party (Mount Prospect Public Library, Mount Prospect)
February 7, 2025 | 9:30am – 11:15am
Traditional festivities including lion dances, photo opportunities, and more.
Lunar New Year (Willow Springs)
February 8, 2026 | 10:00am – 2:00pm
Visit the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center for special activities. Registration is required.
Lunar New Year Goodie Bag (Elmwood Park Public Library, Elmwood Park)
February 10 – 17, 2026
Register in advance for a bag of “Year of the Horse” goodies.
Lunar New Year Wishing Tree (Schaumburg Township District Libraries)
February 12 – 16, 2026
Visit the Main Library, Hanover Park Branch, or Hoffman Estates Branch to add a wish to the Wishing Trees.
Lunar New Year Party Drop-In (Darien)
February 10, 2026 | 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Visit the Indian Prairie Public Library for Lunar New Year activities. Drop-in.
Who Would Win? Ultimate Zodiac Showdown (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
February 12, 2026 | 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Discover the animals of the Chinese zodiac while exploring the Year of the Horse and comparing legend with real-life animal abilities.
Lunar New Year (Aurora)
February 14, 2026 | 11:00am – 1:00pm
Visit Fox Valley Mall for crafts, games, and more.
Lunar New Year Celebration (Schaumburg Township District Library, Schaumburg)
February 16, 2026 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Celebrate the Year of the Horse with special programming.
Year of the Horse: Lunar New Year Celebration (Brookfield Public Library, Brookfield)
February 16, 2026 | 5:00pm – 5:30pm
Celebrate the 2026 Lunar New Year with cultural activities and a Chinese snack tasting. Walk-ins welcome!
Lunar New Year (Oak Park Conservatory, Oak Park)
February 21, 2026 | 9:00am – 12:00pm
Celebrate the Lunar New Year at the Oak Park Conservatory with Brookfield Zoo’s ZAP. Registration is required.
Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration (Uptown, Chicago)
February 21, 2026 | 10:30am – 4:00pm
Visit the Uptown neighborhood’s annual Chinese New Year events for a festive parade and family-friendly activities.
Dance to China: Lunar New Year Celebration (Vernon Area Public Library, Lincolnshire)
February 21, 2026 |11:00am – 12:00pm
Celebrate the Year of the Horse with regional Chinese dance performances. Registration is required.
Chinese New Year: Year of the Horse (Santori Library, Aurora)
February 21, 2026 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Celebrate Chinese New Year traditions through stories, crafts, and more.
Celebration of Lunar New Year (St. Paul Woods, Morton Grove)
February 22, 2026 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Visit Grove 1 to learn more about Lunar New Year celebrations.
Lunar New Year Celebration (Hinsdale Public Library, Hinsdale)
February 22, 2026 | 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Enjoy food, games, and crafts at the library.
Lunar New Year Storytime and Craft (Palatine Public Library)
February 28, 2026 | 10:00am – 10:30am
Sign up for a spot to enjoy songs and crafts in both English and Mandarin.
Chinese-American Museum of Chicago – Chinese New Year Celebration
March 1, 2026 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
24th Street and Wentworth Avenue to Chinatown Square
Chicago, IL 60616
One of the biggest Chinese New Year events in the Chicago area. Performances include lion dancing, musical performances, calligraphy, storytelling, and more.
Events Yet to be Announced
These Chinese New Year events were hosted in 2025, but as of January 8, have not yet been announced in 2026
- Lunar New Year Story & Craft (Aurora Public Library) – January 23, 2025
- Lunar New Year Dragon (Woodridge Public Library) – January 24, 2025
- Chinese New Year Storytime (DuPage Children’s Museum, Naperville) – January 24, 2025
- Lunar New Year Celebration (Fashion Outlets of Chicago, Rosemont) – January 25, 2025
- Children’s Take and Make: Lunar New Year Lucky Cat (Woodridge Public Library) – January 27 – February 1, 2025
- Crafts to Go: Lunar New Year (Warrenville Public Library) – January 27, 2025
- Lunar New Year Celebration (Pacifica Square, Aurora) – January 28, 2025
- Children’s Lunar New Year (Barrington) – January 29, 2025
- Lunar New Year Storytime (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook) – January 29, 2025
- Lunar New Year Celebration (Bellwood) – January 29, 2025
- Lunar New Year (West Branch, Aurora Public Library) – January 29, 2025
- Lunar New Year Celebration (Arlington Heights) – January 29, 2025
- DePaul 2025 Lunar New Year Celebration – January 29, 2025
- Global Connections: Lunar New Year (Navy Pier, Chicago) – February 1, 2025
- Language Labs Presents Language Story Time – Mandarin (Clarendon Hills) – February 28, 2025
How the Lunar New Year is Celebrated
While traditions vary from country to country and family to family, Lunar New Year activities often include:
- Putting up decorations. Red is the main color of the festival. Families may decorate the house with lanterns, or use calligraphy, poetry, and plants to express hopes for happiness and prosperity.
- Eating reunion dinner with family. What holiday would be complete without a feast? The reunion dinner is an important custom for the family to be together. The reunion dinner is known as the most important family dinner of the year. Check out these ideas for food and drinks!
- Giving red envelopes and other gifts. Adults give kids lucky red envelopes with money for good wishes in the new year.
Is there a Lunar New Year celebration we may have missed? Please share in the comments! If you’re on the lookout for more fun things to do with your family, we’ve got you covered at Kidlist.
