Chinese New Year 2027 in the US: Dates, Cities and What’s Open

Quick answer: Saturday, February 6, 2027

Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year 2027 fall on Saturday, February 6. Li Chun (Start of Spring), the solar-term boundary used by many Four Pillars calculators, is around February 4. If you are checking a BaZi year pillar, use Li Chun rather than New Year’s Day.

There is no federal Chinese New Year holiday in the United States. Federal offices, most banks, the stock exchanges, the Postal Service and most schools remain open. Some city school districts, community organisations and Chinese-owned businesses may close or shorten hours. Check the local calendar before assuming a national holiday.

What is open and what may close

Federal offices, banks, US stock markets, USPS, chain stores and public transit generally run normally. Chinatown restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores and family businesses may close for part of the day, close for several days, or switch to takeout only. Museums, libraries and community centres may hold special events or change hours.

New York City public schools have recently observed Lunar New Year, but other districts do not necessarily follow. Universities usually hold classes. Financial markets do not close for Lunar New Year. If you need a bank, government office or postal service, go before the date rather than relying on the holiday.

New York City: Manhattan, Flushing and Sunset Park

New York has one of the largest Chinese communities in the US. Manhattan’s Chinatown, Flushing and Sunset Park host lion dances, holiday markets, temple visits and special restaurant menus. Parade routes and street closures change each year; check NYC Tourism, the NYPD and the organiser before travelling.

A practical plan: buy pastries and flowers in the morning, eat lunch before the busiest restaurant rush, and join community events in the afternoon. Take the subway rather than driving. If you drive, budget time for closures and parking. Bring small red envelopes under $20, comfortable shoes, cash and a power bank.

San Francisco: the best-known parade

San Francisco’s Chinese New Year Parade is one of the most famous in the US, with floats, dragon dancers, martial arts groups and firecrackers. The parade date is not always the same as New Year’s Day and can fall in February or March. Check the official parade site for the 2027 schedule.

Downtown traffic is rerouted and hotels and restaurants fill early. Families with children or older relatives should choose an earlier viewing spot and bring layers, ear protection and cash. After the parade, dim sum in Chinatown is popular, but popular restaurants can have one- to two-hour waits.

Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Seattle and Boston

Los Angeles’s Chinatown and the San Gabriel Valley host lion dances, night markets and family events. Chicago’s Chinatown has a parade and restaurant specials. Houston, Seattle, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, DC also have community celebrations.

Most are organised locally, and dates and scale change every year. Use the organiser, city government or tourism board rather than a screenshot on social media. Parking is difficult at peak times; use rideshare, transit or arrive two hours early. Do not assume every Chinese restaurant is open or every event is free.

An eight-week, four-week and one-week plan

Eight weeks before: confirm travel, hotels, parade dates and restaurant reservations; check passports, visas and weather. Four weeks before: buy red envelopes, gifts, flowers and clothing; set a budget; list which shops close. One week before: order takeout, plan transport, download offline maps and confirm event times.

On the day: carry cash, a power bank, water, a warm layer and a reusable bag; wear comfortable shoes. Add buffer time for rain or snow. Do not over-schedule. One crowded parade plus one meal is often enough.

Etiquette: red envelopes, gifts, photos and temples

Use new bills in red envelopes. Give an even amount and avoid four; eight is traditionally popular. Do not use white or black as the main festive colour. Avoid clocks, knives, shoes and pears as gifts because of traditional associations. Receive a red envelope with both hands and do not open it immediately.

At a temple, dress modestly, lower your voice and ask before taking photos. Do not block a lion dance or touch the lion’s head without permission. Tell children where to meet if separated. Do not assume everyone speaks Cantonese or Mandarin.

Food and budget: one meal, one city, one family

Traditional foods include dumplings, fish, rice cake, longevity noodles, tangyuan, tangerines and whole chicken. Regional customs differ. Many US restaurants offer set menus, usually around $30–$100+ per person.

A three-person family budget might be $120–$250 for a restaurant meal, $100–$300 for groceries and red envelopes, and $30–$100 for transport. Big cities and parade days cost more. To save money, cook one or two dishes, order takeout, or avoid the parade’s peak day. Ask about broth, sauces and cross-contact if you have allergies or eat vegetarian.

2027 Fire Goat: the zodiac is only the first layer

2027 is Ding Wei (Goat branch), the Fire Goat year. The animal is only the year branch. A full BaZi chart also reads the month, day and hour pillars and the Five Element balance. Someone born between January 1 and February 5, 2027 may get a different year animal depending on whether the calculator uses Li Chun or the lunar new year.

To see your four animals and element balance, use your birth date, time and place in a free chart. This US guide is about dates, cities, transport and cultural etiquette, not a promise about your luck.

Safety, accessibility and crowds

Parades and Chinatowns become very crowded. Put a contact number in a child’s pocket and agree on a meeting point. Note exits, first-aid stations and restrooms. Firecrackers and fireworks are restricted in many US cities; do not bring your own to public events.

Wheelchair users, strollers and people with sensory sensitivities should check accessible routes, quiet areas and elevators in advance. If crowds are too much, choose an earlier slot, a community centre or an indoor mall event. Buy tickets only through official links, not strangers reselling online.

For businesses: planning the 2027 US holiday

Chinese New Year is not a federal holiday, but it is a major spending period for many Chinese communities. Stock up four to six weeks ahead on rice cakes, gift boxes, flowers, red envelopes and gold items. Restaurants should prepare set menus, takeout packaging and extra staff.

Use both English and Chinese in promotions. State opening hours, reservations, minimum spend and parking clearly. Avoid assuming all Asian customers celebrate in the same way; communities, regions and religions differ. Respect the organisers and do not block a parade for photos.

FAQ

February 6, 2027 is the date; federal offices, banks, markets and mail generally stay open. New York and San Francisco have the best-known celebrations, but dates require checking. Give even amounts and avoid four in red envelopes. For your zodiac, check Li Chun and your birth time, then read the full Four Pillars chart.