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PHOTOS | Brooklyn streets glow red and gold for Lunar New Year celebrations

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A sea of red and gold flows down 18th Avenue as the Bensonhurst community celebrates the Lunar New Year on Sunday, Feb. 2.
Photo by Arthur de Gaeta

The streets of Brooklyn came alive over the weekend, ushering in the Year of the Snake.

Lunar New Year celebrations kicked off on Feb. 1 with the Brooklyn Lunar New Year Celebration & Prosperity Street Festival in Sunset Park. Organized by the Better Brooklyn Association, the annual event spans 8th Avenue from 50th to 60th streets, featuring an array of live performances, community awards and festive activities for all ages.

The main stage at 51st Street hosted dazzling performances by local schools and senior centers, while firecrackers and lion dances set the tone for the traditional ritual cleansing of homes and businesses to usher in good luck for the year ahead.

Performers in ornate costumes captivate paradegoers.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta
Sunset Park’s 8th Avenue transforms into a vibrant parade route filled with cultural performances and traditional music.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta

Awards were presented to local politicians, including newly-elected State Sen. Steven Chan and Assembly Member Lester Chang, both of whom were among those honored for their support of Brooklyn’s Asian-American communities. Chan and Chang also co-sponsored Saturday’s event, alongside Council Member Susan Zhuang and Assembly Member William Colton.

Local youngsters take the stage at Sunset Park’s main event.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta
State Sen. Steven Chan and Assembly Member Lester Chang were among those who received awards for their support of Brooklyn’s Asian-American communities.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta
Firecrackers light up 8th Avenue, warding off bad luck and ushering in good fortune for the Year of the Snake.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta

Festivities continued on Feb. 2 with the 18th Avenue Lunar New Year Parade in Bensonhurst.

Organized by the Chinese American Social Services Center and Council Member Zhuang’s office, the annual march transformed the thoroughfare from 61st to 83rd streets into a sea of red and gold. Paradegoers enjoyed lion and dragon dances, cultural performances and traditional music.

Electeds in attendance included Chan, Chang, Zhuang and Colton, as well as Assembly Member Alec Brook-Krasny, U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and more.

The dragon dance captivates onlookers with its dynamic movements, symbolizing strength and good fortune.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta
Generations of families celebrate their traditions and culture during the 18th Avenue Lunar New Year Parade.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta
Organizers, elected officials and local leaders pose for a photo during the parade.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta

Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is one of the most important holidays in many East and Southeast Asian cultures, including Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean communities. Marking the beginning of the lunar calendar, celebrations typically last 15 days and are filled with family gatherings, traditional meals and rituals to bring good fortune for the year ahead.

Firecrackers, red decorations, and lion dances — vibrant symbols of warding off bad luck and inviting prosperity — lit up the streets of Brooklyn over the weekend, creating a dazzling display of tradition and celebration.

Bensonhurst residents gather to honor cultural heritage and welcome good fortune for the new year.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta
U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis gets into the holiday spirit.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Assembly Member William Colton join the festivities on 18th Avenue.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta
A festive dragon makes its way along the avenue.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta
Parents and children gather along 18th Avenue, soaking in the festive atmosphere and celebrating the Lunar New Year together.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta

The Year of the Snake holds significant meaning in the Chinese zodiac.

As the sixth sign in the 12-animal cycle, the snake is associated with wisdom, intuition, and transformation. Those born in the Year of the Snake (1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, and 2025) are often seen as thoughtful and resourceful individuals. The snake is said to symbolize a year for strategic thinking and smart decision-making, encouraging people to slow down, reflect and approach their goals thoughtfully.