Weekend Fun for NYC Kids: Free Lunar New Year Parades, Black History Month Celebrations, Culinary Kids Food Festival February 21-22

2/18/15 - By Stephanie Ogozalek

February break ends with a literal bang as NYC rings in the Lunar New Year with FREE firecracker-filled parades in Manhattan's Chinatown, Flushing, Queens and Brooklyn's Sunset Park. You can also celebrate Black History Month at the Apollo Theater's Open House or a late Presidents' Day at the Morris-Jumel Mansion, or enjoy a Culinary Kids Food Festival at the New York Botanical Garden.

These are just a few of the great things going on this weekend. All of our best bets are below. You can find more options in our Event Calendar, our Winter Fun Guide and our list of 35 things to do over midwinter break.

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Culinary Kids Food Festival – the Bronx
Celebrate the farm-to-table movement at the New York Botanical Garden's hands-on fest. Enjoy cooking demos, tastings, activity stations and workshops where kids prepare a healthy dish to take home. If you go on Saturday, you can also catch a classic family concert of Jack & the Beanstalk. All activities free with All-Garden Pass: $20 for adults, $8 for children ages 2-12
 

Saturday, February 21

Kids Week at the Intrepid – Midtown West
A February GoList pick: The Intrepid's week-long celebration wraps up with cool demos by Mad Science and the Franklin Institute, high-tech workshops and space talks, and fun hands-on activities like making Rube Goldberg machines. Free with admission: In advance: $22 for adults, $17 for children ages 7-17 and $10 for ages 3-6; at the door: $2 more per person but present this coupon at the box office to get two-for-one admission

Queens Lunar New Year Parade – Flushing
Ring in the Year of the Sheep in Flushing, Queens at the neighborhood's big annual bash. Expect dragon dancers, steel drummers and firecrackers. FREE

The Okee Dokee Brothers – Upper West Side
Get ready to stomp your feet and clap your hands at Symphony Space! This Minnesota duo plays nature-themed Americana tunes on guitar and banjo and won a Grammy for the kids' album Can You Canoe?. $26 for adults, $16 for children

Washington’s Birthday Celebration – Harlem
Celebrate the original POTUS at the Morris-Jumel Mansion with kid-friendly tours of the historic house that served as General Washington's headquarters during the Battle of Harlem Heights. Themed craft projects are also on tap. Free with admission: $5 for adults, free for children under age 12

Moon Over Manhattan: Celebrate the Lunar New Year Family Day – Upper East Side
Celebrate the Year of the Sheep at the Asia Society with a lion dance, kung fu demos and other holiday activities. $12 for adults, $5 for children

Apollo Open House – Harlem
In honor of Black History Month, the legendary Harlem hot spot invites visitors to tour the theater and even step onto the iconic stage. Other activities include storytelling and performances by winners of the theater's famed Amateur Nights. FREE

Super Sábado: Carnaval – East Harlem
Celebrate carnaval with live music, colorful mask making, dance workshops and a lively museum-wide procession at El Museo's family fete. FREE

Magic of Bill Blagg Live – Flushing
Gawk at grand-scale illusions like a magic hover board and tricky electric saws at the Queens Theater in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. $25-$30 per person or $99 for a family four-pack

See all Saturday events.
 

Sunday, February 22

Lunar New Year Parade – Chinatown
Another February GoList pick: There are lots of Lunar New Year celebrations throughout the weekend, but Chinatown's annual parade is one of the main events. More than half a million spectators are expected to line the streets for the pan-Asian spectacle, which includes Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Malaysian and even Hispanic floats and cultural performances. After you've seen your fill, head to Sara D. Roosevelt Park for an outdoor cultural festival. FREE

Brooklyn Lunar New Year Parade – Sunset Park
Or party like it's 4713 at Brooklyn's big holiday procession, which is preceded by appearances from community luminaries, cultural performances for kids and adults, and firecrackers. FREE

Steal Away: The Living History of Harriet Tubman – Midtown West
Learn about the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman, a runaway slave-turned-abolitionist who was very active on the Underground Railroad. Her incredible story is told with puppets and live actors, and lasts just an hour. A great way to celebrate Black History Month with kids. $5 or more suggested admission

Miss Piggy: A Sow is Born – Astoria
Indulge in Muppet mania at the Museum of the Moving Image with clips from The Muppet Show, Muppet films and TV specials that trace Miss Piggy's career from chorus girl to superstar. Free with admission: $12 for adults, $6 for children ages 3-12

Chinese New Year Celebration: The Year of the Sheep – Upper East Side
Catch a lion dance and kung fu demos outside the China Institute at no cost—a great way to celebrate Lunar New Year with young children who aren't ready for a big parade. For a more immersive experience, head inside for workshops on dumpling- and lantern-making, kid-friendly tours of the galleries and food. Free for the lion dance outside; indoor activities run $15-25 for adults, $5-15 for children

See all Sunday events.


Don’t forget: There are lots of other options in our Event Calendar.