Saddle up and gallop on over to MOCA for a Year of the Horse celebration that’s sure to make you neigh with delight!

• Morning Session: 10 AM – 1 PM
• Afternoon Session: 2 PM – 5 PM

Tickets: $10/person (inclusive of Eventbrite fees). Kids under 2 free. Click here for tickets!

Limited free tickets for Culture Pass and Cool Culture families. Stay tuned for details on the release of these tickets.

Book Now!

Tickets may be purchased at the door on the day of the event, starting at 10:30 AM for the morning session and 2:30 PM for the afternoon session, if capacity allows.

Family Festivals are bustling events with lots of sights, sounds, and aromas. There is limited stroller parking available, with a staff-operated lift used to reach the restrooms and lower level spaces. We recommend families with sensory concerns join our MOCACREATE Lunar New Year Makeover events to celebrate the holiday.

Due to the limited capacity of the museum and efforts to adhere to safety guidelines, families may have to wait to enter the museum during peak times.

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EVENT SCHEDULE

PERFORMANCES, DEMONSTRATIONS & MORE!

The Mane Event: A Lion Dance Performance with United East Athletics Association
Kick off the Festival with a dazzling southern lion dance by the United East Athletics Association lion dance troupe. Move to the rhythm of the drumbeat and learn just what it takes to be the head and tail of the lion— you’ll even get to learn a move or two! Afterwards, sneak a peek inside the lion costume!

Sounds of the New Year with Danting Qiao
Delight in the classical sounds of the erhu 二胡 performed by an acclaimed musician Danting Qiao. Learn the sounds and symbolism of one of the oldest instruments in the world!

Fanciful, Floating Fans: Fan Dance Workshop*
Get ready for an exhilarating workshop with dancer and choreographer Mei-Yin Ng. Dive into the art of holding and manipulating fans, as you master basic dance movements. Then watch an electrifying fan dance. Follow along as the fan floats gracefully in the air and snaps open and close in a celebration of movement and rhythm.

Whirling, Twirling Ribbons: Ribbon Dance Workshop*
Watch an elegant ribbon dance by dancer and choreographer Mei-Yin Ng, founder of the Laurel Project, then craft a simple ribbon of your own and learn how to make it twirl through the air! Audience participation encouraged!

MOCAKIDS: Sugar Paint a Sweet New Year with Ms. Yan*
Join Ms. Yan for an introduction to the sweet art of sugar painting, a delicious traditional Chinese folk art popular amongst street artists in northern China. Watch as Ms. Yan uses hot, liquid sugar and speedy brushstrokes to create popular New Year’s animals, all before the sugar cools and hardens. 

Tang Yuan for Togetherness: Workshop & Sampling with Auntie Lin*
Learn to make homemade tang yuan, sticky rice balls with sweet or savory fillings, with Auntie Lin. Traditionally enjoyed during the winter solstice and the Lantern Festival, these meaningful treats represent togetherness and family reunion. We’ll be making savory corn and green onion tang yuan.

New Year Nibbles
Munch on sweet, bite-sized treats while you learn how each one brings flavor and fortune to the New Year. We’ll also be brewing several types of piping hot tea which are just perfect for Lunar New Year, generously provided by Harney & Sons. 

MOCAKIDS Author Meet & Greet with Vickie Lee
Saddle up for a New Year journey! Join author Vickie Lee and her daughter, Ruby, for a modern spin on the legendary zodiac race in Ruby’s Chinese New Year. Follow Ruby— inspired by Vickie’s real-life daughter— as she sets off to deliver a special Chinese New Year card to her grandmother. Along the way, she’ll need a little help—but who will step up? Will it be clever Rat, strong Ox, or cautious Rabbit? Find out which animal leads the way! Book purchase and signing will follow the reading. Best for kids ages 4 – 8. 

Vickie Lee is an acupuncturist and a Chinese medicine practitioner. Vickie graduated from Columbia University with a dual degree in East Asian studies and English literature. She is the author of Ruby’s Chinese New Year and 12 Lucky Animals. She lives with her daughter and her husband in Brooklyn, New York.

MOCAKIDS Storytime: Lunar New Year Legends
新年快乐! Join a MOCA educator for a special storytime featuring Happy Chinese New Year! by Jannie Ho and Story of the Year by Kim Xiong, a tale inspired by the legend of the Nian monster. Learn how this mythical creature shaped Lunar New Year traditions—and why red decorations, loud sounds, and bright lights are such an important part of LNY festivities.

Happy Hooves Gallery Hunt
In celebration of the Year of the Horse, gallop your way through the galleries and follow riddles that will lead you to some of your favorite equine friends.

High-Stepping Horses Photo Corner 
We’re stepping proudly into the Year of the Horse together! Show us your best pose at our zodiac photo corner!

Lots of Luck Claw Machine by Stanley’s Claw Machines 
Try your luck at the claw and win festive prizes while soaking up the New Year spirit. Play a round (or three!) and ring in the season with a little extra joy. Want more claw machine fun? Check out Stanley’s Claw Machines at 60 Mulberry Street.

DROP-IN ARTS & CRAFTS

Let’s Get Loud Nian Monster Noisemakers
Make and embellish a colorful rattle drum to scare away the legendary Nian monster. Use it to usher in good luck by decorating the Museum or your home.

Bucking Broncos
These horses have moves! Make and decorate your own jumping, bucking bronco with folded paper, cardstock, and embellishments. See who gets Best In Show! 

Bright Beginnings with Teaching Artist Yu Rong
Beautiful, glowing lanterns bring light and hope to the New Year. Join Teaching Artist Yu Rong to make your own mixed-media lantern. Where will you hang it up? 

Horse Around with ALT Ally
Giddy up! Build and decorate your own 3D model horse inspired by the values you hope to bring into the new year— kindness, courage, hope, friendship, or something else! A limited edition, artist-created Year of the Horse Craft Box will be also available for purchase.

ALT Ally is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to advancing well-being through the intersection of art, law and technology. They collaborate with multidisciplinary AANHPI artists to deliver programs and campaigns that inspire creativity and foster social-emotional growth.

* Space is limited.
** While supplies last.

MOCA’s Family Festival Series is supported with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.