Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is one of the most significant celebrations in Chinese culture. In 2026, the holiday begins on February 17, welcoming the Year of the Horse, a symbol of energy, confidence, and progress. Atlanta’s diverse communities, international dining scene, and growing lineup of cultural festivals make the city a great place to experience Lunar New Year traditions. From large-scale festivals and authentic food to home décor customs and seasonal attractions, here’s how to celebrate Chinese New Year in Atlanta.
Stone Mountain Park will host its fourth annual Lunar New Year Festival from February 14 through March 1, 2026. The event honors cultures that follow the lunar calendar, including Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese traditions. Visitors can enjoy cultural performances, hands-on craft activities, a lighted parade, and a signature drone and light show designed especially for the season.
Chamblee’s Lunar New Year celebration takes place February 21–22, 2026, at the Culture Center of the Taipei Economic and Culture Office (TECO). Expect cultural programming, performances, and activities highlighting Lunar New Year traditions.
Johns Creek will host a family-friendly Lunar New Year event on February 21, 2026, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Atlanta Athletic Club Fields. The event emphasizes cultural diversity and community participation.
Unbelibubble Ekiben offers Asian comfort food favorites like chicken poppers and tteokbokki. During Lunar New Year, guests can play arcade games with prizes that include red envelopes, a traditional symbol of good luck and prosperity.
This longtime favorite is decorated for the Lunar New Year and serves classic northern Chinese dishes. Dumplings such as xiaolongbao and pot stickers are especially popular during the holiday, as they represent wealth and good fortune.
To celebrate the broader Lunar New Year traditions of East Asia, Han II Kwan serves Korean specialties such as tteok mandutguk (rice cake and dumpling soup) and LA galbi. Tteokguk is traditionally eaten during Korean Lunar New Year and symbolizes entering a new year of life.
Atlanta’s Asian supermarkets are ideal for preparing a festive New Year meal. Stores such as Buford Highway Farmers Market and Great Wall Supermarket in Duluth carry fresh produce, specialty ingredients, snacks, and traditional decorations.
Popular Lunar New Year foods include:
Dumplings and spring rolls for prosperity
Fish for abundance
Rice cakes and noodles for longevity
Hot pot ingredients for reunion-style meals
Sweet treats like ginger candy, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and sticky rice cakes are also common during the holiday.
Red is the dominant color of Chinese New Year, symbolizing happiness and protection from bad luck. Popular decorations include red lanterns, paper cuttings, New Year couplets, and the Chinese character “福” (Fu), meaning fortune or blessing.
Red envelopes, known as hongbao, are traditionally filled with lucky money and given to children and loved ones. Many Asian markets sell these envelopes affordably, and some even offer them free with purchase.
In Chinese tradition, cleaning your home before New Year’s Day represents removing bad luck from the previous year. Sweeping floors, wiping surfaces, and organizing your space one week before the holiday helps symbolically welcome good fortune and fresh beginnings.
If cooking at home isn’t your plan, Atlanta offers a wide range of authentic Chinese takeout options, especially along Buford Highway. Popular choices include:
Hot pot: China Hot Pot, Good Harvest
Chinese barbecue: Crazy Skewers
Noodles: LanZhou Ramen
Sichuan cuisine: J-Bistro, Yummy Spicy
Cantonese and Southern Chinese: Canton House, Dim Sum Heaven, Bo Bo Garden
Northern Chinese: Northern China Eatery
Chinese New Year music is upbeat and festive, often played during family gatherings and celebrations. Streaming classic Lunar New Year songs at home adds to the joyful atmosphere.
In many parts of China, flower markets signal the arrival of Lunar New Year. In Atlanta, a seasonal alternative is Orchid Daze at Atlanta Botanical Garden, running from February 14 through April 12, 2026. The Fuqua Orchid Center showcases stunning orchid displays and highlights conservation efforts, offering a peaceful and colorful way to mark the season.
Fireworks and firecrackers are traditionally used to celebrate the New Year and symbolize driving away bad luck. If celebrating at home, be sure to follow local safety regulations and handle fireworks responsibly.
Whether you’re attending a festival, sharing a meal with loved ones, or decorating your home, Chinese New Year is a meaningful way to celebrate culture, community, and new beginnings. Plan ahead, explore Atlanta’s Lunar New Year events, and welcome the Year of the Horse with intention and joy.
Q1: When is Chinese New Year in 2026?
Chinese New Year begins on February 17, 2026, marking the start of the Year of the Horse.
Q2: Where can I celebrate Lunar New Year in Atlanta?
Popular celebrations take place at Stone Mountain Park, Chamblee, Decatur, and Johns Creek, along with restaurants and cultural centers across the city.
Q3: What foods are traditionally eaten during Chinese New Year?
Common dishes include dumplings, fish, spring rolls, noodles, rice cakes, and hot pot, all symbolizing luck, wealth, and togetherness.
Q4: What decorations are used for Chinese New Year?
Red lanterns, paper cuttings, couplets, the “Fu” character, and red envelopes are traditional decorations associated with good fortune.
I’m Nadine Lutz, one of Atlanta's top Realtors and a trusted Atlanta, Georgia Real Estate Agent with Compass Buckhead, and Atlanta has been home to my family since 2003. Over the years, I’ve been blessed to help so many neighbors achieve their real estate goals, and I’m honored to be recognized with the Phoenix Award and as a Multi-Million Dollar Club Life Member with the Atlanta Realtors Association.
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