Let’s celebrate the Year of the Horse!

Join us for this family-friendly celebration, where the spirit of Lunar New Year comes alive through art, tradition, and community. Travel to Asia with us to experience dance performances, acrobatics, crafts, food, and more!

Performance Timeline

  • 12:15–12:30 PM Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company (Set 1) Bridging the grace of Asian elegance with American dynamism, the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company fuses the freedom of American modern dance with the discipline of Chinese martial arts and opera. Founded in 1988, the Company is a Principal Affiliate Artist at NJPAC and tours internationally to prestigious venues including Lincoln Center and The Joyce Theater. For the opening of the museum’s Lunar New Year celebration, the Company will present a vibrant lion and dragon dance, ceremonially welcoming guests and launching the day’s festivities.

 

  • 1:00–1:15 PM New Jersey Korean School Children’s Choir The New Jersey Children’s Choir is a Korean American children’s choir that serves as a cultural ambassador, celebrating and sharing Korean and American heritage through choral music. Through traditional and contemporary repertoire, the choir uplifts youth voices while fostering cultural pride, community connection, and cross-cultural understanding.

 

  • 1:30–1:45 PM Kai Leung’s Shotojuku / Bronx Martial Arts Academy – Karate Demonstration A dynamic karate demonstration by juniors from Kai Leung’s Shotojuku and Bronx Martial Arts Academy, showcasing discipline, precision, and powerful technique. These rising martial artists celebrate East Asian martial arts traditions and the spirit of the Lunar New Year. 

 

  • 2:00–2:15 PM Taiwanese Association of America, Northern New Jersey The Taiwanese Association of America–Northern New Jersey presents Marrying Miss Mouse, a traditional Taiwanese New Year puppet tale about a mouse family arranging their daughter’s marriage. The performance features music by Taiwanese American artist Rufusion, blending Taiwanese folk melodies with a Nat King Cole–inspired remix in honor of Black History Month. Additional activity: Taiwanese lantern-making workshop available for families. 

 

  • 2:30–3:15 PM The New York Chinese Cultural Center presents a dynamic traditional Chinese performing arts program that celebrates music, movement, and cultural heritage. The performance features classical Chinese instruments such as the guzheng (Chinese zither), alongside dance and martial arts rooted in centuries-old traditions. Audiences will experience a lively Inner Mongolian Chopsticks Dance, a guzheng performance showcasing both traditional and fusion Chinese music, and a kung fu showcase highlighting discipline and artistry. The program also includes an interactive ribbon dance workshop, inviting audience participation, followed by a vibrant ribbon dance performance to close the set. Together, these elements offer an engaging and immersive introduction to the richness and diversity of Chinese culture.

 

  • 3:30–4:00 PM Chinese Music Ensemble of New York (CMENY) Founded in 1961, the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York is the oldest and largest non-youth Chinese orchestra in the United States. For Lunar New Year, CMENY is joined by pipa virtuoso Kexun (Sherry) Liu and yangqin soloist Vanessa Wu to present dynamic solo and ensemble performances highlighting traditional Chinese instruments and musical traditions.

 

  • 4:20–4:30 PM Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company (Set 2) To conclude the museum’s Lunar New Year celebration, the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company returns with a festive lion and dragon dance, bringing the day’s programming full circle. This closing procession marks both the ending and echo of the opening performance, sending guests off with energy, tradition, and good fortune.

 

There will be food and drinks available for purchase. The Main entrance of the Museum is still open during construction. Please use the Main doors to enter this event.

 

Location: Engelhard Court

Register for Free