[UPDATED TIME: 2-4PM*] Greet your neighbors with lucky Lunar New Year sayings and chat over prosperity tray goodies and freshly brewed tea. Bring something to share like lucky fruits or a red envelope donation! — RSVP with donation is highly encouraged!

Get into the Lunar New Year spirit and make your own decorations in a hands-on workshop led by artist Ling Tang! In this workshop, you will explore the cultural history of Lunar New Year decorations, design and create your own 2D and 3D papercut art. — RSVP here

On the first day of the New Year, Think!Chinatown will join the festivities, check out the lions and celebrate LNY in Chinatown and you’ll see us on Mott St where we’ll reveal our annual Lantern Artist-in-Residency project. Free!

[Thurs Feb 12, 6pm-8pm] Join us for the exhibition opening for “Everyday Chinatown”. This exhibit focuses on our storytelling project of showcasing "everyday" objects to delve into our community's collective memory and everyday life. — Learn more

[Wed Feb 11, 2026 from 6-8PM] Join us for a cooking demo with Jon Kung! We’ll be learning how to make stir-fried nian gao (rice cakes). — RSVP for your spot!

[Sat Feb 7, 12-5pm] Think!Chinatown is going uptown to the Met! Hear more about our Lunar New Year programs and take photos with our beautiful display. All activities are free with Museum admission, and no registration is required. Museum Admission is pay as you wish for NYC residents. Please purchase admission via the Met Museum.

[Jan 24, 1:00 - 4:00 PM at MCNY] Get ready to dance with us at the Museum of the City of New York! Rep Asia is a high-energy music and dance celebration reuniting Chinatown Records and Basement Bhangra together on the dance floor. RSVP here

Join us for the “Our Journeys” exhibit's closing party on Thursday, January 15, from 5-7pm. You’re invited, no RSVP needed!

[Sun Jan 11, 4-5:30pm] Join us for a thought-provoking afternoon book talk by Photographer Morris Lum, on his recently published book titled “Chinatowns: Tong Yan Gaai.” — RSVP now!

[Sat Jan 10, 3-4:30pm] In harmony with the Winter, join us in collaboration with Kamwo Meridian Herbs for an evening of ear seeding, self-acupressure exercises, and seasonal herbal recipes designed to nourish and strengthen our body’s immunity, and align with the season’s call for balance and renewal. RSVP now!

[Thu 12/18 from 6-8pm] It’s our last event of the year! Let’s celebrate the closing of MOONSquare exhibition via silent auction; and we’ll cap things off by also celebrating the winter solstice! — RSVP now

[Sat., Nov. 22, 4pm-5:30pm at 1 Pike Street] How can art spark reflection, resistance and social change? What can we as artists collectively do in these pivotal times? Join three multi-generational artists for a thought-provoking afternoon of conversation with slideshows and screenings.  Plus, add your image to Arlan Huang’s newly installed artwork “This Painting Fights Fascism”.  — Learn More

Prologue PART III traces the interwoven journeys of five first-generation Chinese immigrant men who arrived in New York City between 1962 and 1990. Against the backdrop of the Cultural Revolution, the rise of overseas study, and the shadow of Tiananmen Square protest, each man sought a new beginning—whether for safety, education, opportunity, or simply to reunite with family. More info

Join T!C’s Storytelling Lead, Rochelle, for an interactive afternoon of stories to explore Chinatown’s collective memory of everyday objects. We’ll hear some of our neighbors’ memories for T!C’s Everyday Chinatown project – then get ready to share some of your own stories, as we reveal our next season’s everyday object with a storytelling workshop and recording session.  RSVP Here!

[Sun 10/26, 5:30-8pm] Join us for the Festival Finale of the Chinatown Arts Festival! Enjoy an evening of live music with four featured acts plus special performances by Victor Lin and Taiyo Na. The night also opens our annual MOONSquare group exhibition, showcasing new work from community visual artists. We’ll celebrate all of this year’s Arts Fest artists with a festive reception at Think!Chinatown’s studio. —RSVP here!

There are two time slots for this workshop: Session 1 is from 11AM-12:30PM   |   Session 2 is from 2:30-4PM

Learn the centuries-old tradition of Chinese pickling through a guided tasting of preserved vegetables from Chinatown small businesses, then assemble your own paocai jar of tangy, savory vegetables and spices to take home. Discover how paocai shapes everyday cooking across the Chinese diaspora and leave with the skills to continue fermenting in your own kitchen. —Get your tickets!

[Wed 10/22, 6:30PM - 8:30PM] Step behind the scenes into the tradition of Cantonese opera in America, a legacy that has been part of New York’s story for over 170 years. This special evening brings that history to life with Dr. Nancy Yunhwa Rao sharing from her new book Inside Chinese Theater, theater artist Ping Chong and his sister Betty Chong reflecting on their family’s opera roots, and performer Mee Mee Chin presenting vintage costumes and classic songs. Copies of Dr. Rao’s book will be available for signing, with tea and traditional opera snacks to enjoy. —RSVP here

Join us for an evening reflecting on the life and legacy of choreographer H.T. Chen, a cultural pillar of New York’s Chinatown, whose work bridged Asian traditions and American modern dance. At this intimate gathering, his artistic and life partner Dian Dong will share memories, rare video footage and images of Chen’s career and discuss his lasting influence. The program includes a live mini-performance by Chen & Dancers of “Needle and Thread”offering a glimpse of how his legacy continues to inspire. —RSVP here!

Photo by Christopher Duggan

Step onto Pell Street for a lively afternoon of puppetry with Chinese Theatre Works in their new show Hao Bang Ah! Snake! Enjoy exquisite hand puppetry, shadow theater, and bilingual performance, with guest appearances by Uncle John and Goo Goo. Performances are ~30 minutes at 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm outside the historic First Chinese Baptist Church. Bring family and friends for this joyful celebration of puppetry, history, and community — free and open to all! — More info

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Red Silk Dancers with a joyful Chinese dance class in Seward Park! All levels are welcome as we warm up, move to music, and try traditional props like ribbons and fans. The class will close with a short demo from Red Silk Dancers’ anniversary program. Volunteers will be onsite to guide you, with alternate indoor locations available if needed. — RSVP here

Join T!C and Kamwo Meridian Herbs for an evening of tea, sound, and seasonal practices to strengthen immunity and restore balance this autumn. Experience ear seeding, an Autumn Reflection & Renewal of Breath with herbalist Olivia Choi, and a soothing sound bath with Benny Spott. We’ll close with an herbal talk full of recipes and tips for the cooler months. — RSVP here!

As part of the LES Arts & Culture Open House, stop by Think!Chinatown’s studio to experience two special projects. Our Journeys: 50 Years After the Fall shares memories and reflections of former Vietnamese refugees, while How to Chinatown: Tofu Edition invites you to explore Chinatown’s culinary traditions with a tofu-themed walking tour zine made by neighborhood aunties and uncles. Enjoy tofu snacks and single origin Vietnamese tea from Anna Ye Tea as you take in both projects. This event is open to everyone — come by, explore, and join in. —More Info

Think!Chinatown welcomes Vietnamese Boat People for their 6th annual — and first in-person — Story Slam: My Journey. Five storytellers will share powerful tales of migration, identity, love, loss, and healing. Join us for an evening of live storytelling, community, and connection as part of the Our Journeys exhibition. —RSVP here

Think!Chinatown hosts Chinatown Records 華埠錄音 for a special living room listening with superstar aunties from Knickerbocker Village. Together with yiuyiu 瑶瑶 (Rochelle Hoi-Yiu Kwan), we’ll share music, memories, and a debut screening of Memories from Golden Song 金曲回憶. Bring your favorite song, join the soundtrack, and meet our neighborhood superstars. —RSVP here!

Come celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival past and present with the Tenement Museum in partnership with Think!Chinatown. In this new family program, we will visit the Wong family apartment and learn from Think!Chinatown about holiday traditions. You will also get to make art inspired by the holiday, try your luck at a Mid-Autumn game, and taste two different types of mooncakes!

This program is specifically intended for family audiences with children ages 5-12. — Get your tickets!

There are two timeslots for this program: [Session 1] 1-2:30PM   [Session 2] 3:30-5PM. In celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, join us for an afternoon of tasting and tradition. We’ll explore mooncakes from across regions—flaky Cantonese styles, delicate snowskin, and rich Southeast Asian and Fujianese varieties—paired with loose-leaf teas chosen to complement their flavors. Practice gongfu tea service - Get your ticket here

Enjoy a performance of classical Chinese music in the beautiful Elizabeth Street Garden as part of the Chinatown Arts Festival. A trio from the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York — featuring the yangqin, erhu, and pipa — will share the richness of traditional Chinese instrumental music. Presented in partnership with Elizabeth Street Garden. All are welcome to drop in — no RSVP needed. —More Info

Chinatown Arts Festival opens with a special block party. Come by the Mosco St newsstand to get your copy of the Chinatown Arts Fest brochures that will be hot off the press. Snap your “red carpet” photo moment with friends and neighbors at this special opening. Soundtracked by Chinatown Records & friends, it’ll be an afternoon of dancing (and singing along) to remember! Free with no RSVP required, this event is rain or shine ~ see you there  —More Info