Lunar New Year Festival 2026 - Year of the Fire Horse
APAPA Rochester warmly invites you to join our Lunar New Year Festival on Saturday, February 21, 2026!
This festive gathering celebrates the Year of the Fire Horse, a symbol of energy, courage, and new beginnings. Enjoy a vibrant lineup of traditions and activities, including the Lion & Dragon Dance, cultural music and dance, artisan crafts, children’s workshops, storytelling, and a lively Lunar New Year Food Market. Whether you’re a long-time celebrant or discovering these traditions for the first time, you’ll find a welcoming and joyful community experience.
Advance registration is required. - To help us prepare a comfortable and enriching experience for all, advance registration is required. Seating, activities, and event materials are planned based on the number of registered guests, so please save your spot early.
This festive gathering celebrates the Year of the Fire Horse, a symbol of energy, courage, and new beginnings. Enjoy a vibrant lineup of traditions and activities, including the Lion & Dragon Dance, cultural music and dance, artisan crafts, children’s workshops, storytelling, and a lively Lunar New Year Food Market. Whether you’re a long-time celebrant or discovering these traditions for the first time, you’ll find a welcoming and joyful community experience.
Advance registration is required. - To help us prepare a comfortable and enriching experience for all, advance registration is required. Seating, activities, and event materials are planned based on the number of registered guests, so please save your spot early.
Location
Monroe Community College
R. Thomas Flynn Campus Center
1000 East Henrietta Road
Rochester, New York 14623
R. Thomas Flynn Campus Center
1000 East Henrietta Road
Rochester, New York 14623
Date & Time
Sat. February 21, 2026
12:00PM - 4:00PM
12:00PM - 4:00PM
People gather for Lunar New Year in modern times to celebrate family reunion, honoring parents, welcoming new beginnings, and inviting good fortune for the year ahead. Families and friends come together to share festive meals, exchange red envelopes, enjoy cultural traditions, and participate in rituals that symbolize hope, prosperity, and good health.
As a community, we proudly celebrate this meaningful holiday and wish all our community members a wonderful and fulfilling year. This festival has become a cherished tradition for us, and we are honored to host our third annual gathering, with more than 2,000 attendees expected.
We warmly welcome everyone—not just the AAPI community—to join us in celebrating the Lunar New Year. This festival is an open invitation for all to experience the richness of Asian culture, enjoy meaningful traditions, and make lasting connections within a fast-growing and deeply caring community.
No matter your background, you are invited to celebrate, learn, and share in the joy, unity, and cultural beauty that this special holiday brings.
No matter your background, you are invited to celebrate, learn, and share in the joy, unity, and cultural beauty that this special holiday brings.
Performers Wanted
Artisan and Food Vendors
We welcome cultural vendors, small businesses, artisans, food creators, nonprofit organizations, and community partners to be part of our vibrant Rochester Lunar New Year marketplace. This festival draws more than 2,000 attendees and offers an exciting opportunity to share your products, food, services, or cultural offerings with a warm and enthusiastic audience. Registration Is Open – Apply Today. Vendor spaces are limited and fill fast each year.
Choral Fest/ Sing Competition
We’re excited to bring back our popular karaoke tradition with this year’s Choral Fest, carrying forward the fun and energy from last year’s competition. This time, the stage is open to both individual singers and groups, celebrating the spirit of family, friendship, and community.
Music brings people together, and what better way to welcome the New Year than singing with those you love? Whether you perform solo, with family, or with friends, this is your moment to shine.
All participants will compete for a $1,000 cash prize.
Join us, share your voice, and be part of a celebration to remember. Applications Now Open!
Music brings people together, and what better way to welcome the New Year than singing with those you love? Whether you perform solo, with family, or with friends, this is your moment to shine.
All participants will compete for a $1,000 cash prize.
Join us, share your voice, and be part of a celebration to remember. Applications Now Open!
Be a Proud Sponsor of the Fire Horse Year
Join us as a sponsor of the largest AAPI gathering in Rochester—a joyful celebration that brings together families, professionals, business owners, and community leaders from across the region.
Your support helps strengthen one of Rochester’s fastest-growing and hardest-working communities, while giving your organization meaningful visibility and direct connection with thousands of attendees. Sponsorship creates a lasting impression and shows your commitment to cultural celebration, community pride, and shared prosperity. We would be honored to partner with you! AAPI Cultural/ Educational Tables
Cultural Tables are at the heart of the APAPA Rochester Lunar New Year Festival. We welcome participation from businesses, families, friends, student organizations, and community groups to showcase their culture in a meaningful and engaging way.
Through displays, crafts, traditions, and interactive activities, Cultural Tables offer a unique opportunity to showcase the amazing AAPI heritage and build genuine connections within the community. Registration Is Open – Apply Today!
Through displays, crafts, traditions, and interactive activities, Cultural Tables offer a unique opportunity to showcase the amazing AAPI heritage and build genuine connections within the community. Registration Is Open – Apply Today!
Location
Monroe Community College - R. Thomas Flynn Campus Center
1000 East Henrietta Road Rochester, New York 14623
Join Our Festival Committees
Join Our Festival Committees We are looking for dedicated community members to help plan the 2026 Lunar New Year Festival, the largest AAPI celebration in Rochester. Serving on a committee is a meaningful way to contribute your skills, build connections, and help shape a joyful event for thousands of attendees.
Committee roles are available in Performances, Vendors & Marketplace, Volunteers, Cultural Activities, Logistics & Operations, Sponsorship & Outreach, and Marketing & Communications. Your experience and enthusiasm can make a real difference. If you believe in community, teamwork, and cultural celebration, we would love to have you join us. Committee sign-up is now open.
Volunteers Wanted – Join Our Festival Team!
We are welcoming dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers to help bring the 2026 Lunar New Year Festival to life! As Rochester’s largest AAPI celebration, our festival thrives because of the wonderful community members who give their time, energy, and heart.
Volunteering is a meaningful way to support cultural celebration, meet new people, and be part of a joyful event that welcomes thousands of guests. From greeting attendees to helping with activities, performances, vendor support, and setup, every role makes a real difference.
If you enjoy teamwork, community spirit, and creating memorable experiences, we would love to have you join us.
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