Three ways to celebrate Lunar New Year in Queens on Saturday

A scene from Flushing’s Lunar New Year parade last year. Eagle photos by Walter Karling.

By Victoria Merlino

The Year of the Rat is upon us, and Queens is ready to celebrate it in high style this Saturday. If you’re looking for a day packed with action, the Eagle has got you covered. Here are some of our favorite activities to ring in your Lunar New Year. 

Lunar New Year Parade in Flushing 

To kick off your day, the Flushing Chamber of Commerce will host a free parade celebrating the Lunar New Year starting at Union Street and 37th Avenue around 11 a.m. There will be dancing, colorful costumes, floats and performances. Additionally, the Chamber of Commerce invites revelers to gather at St. George's Church, located at 13532 38th Avenue, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. before the start of the parade to enjoy refreshments. 

Queens Botanical Garden’s Lunar New Year Celebration

After the parade, check out the celebration at the Queens Botanical Garden. There will be a lucky plant sale, face painting, crafts, Zodiac-themed storytime and more. The celebration will occur from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Lunar New Year Tinker Festival at the Lewis Latimer House

Following QBG’s celebration, you could head over to the Lewis Latimer House, which will have hands-on art and science activities for all ages from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Located at 34-41 137th St., the museum is the former house of the African-American inventor and thinker Lewis Latimer. Latimer was known for helping invent the telephone, as well as inventing carbon filament, which improves upon the design of the lightbulb.