EVENTS
Chinatown hosts a variety of cultural events year-round. From the Lunar New Year Parade to the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Films at the Gate Festival, Chinatown’s vibrant collection of events immerse visitors and locals alike in the community’s rich heritage. Learn more about annual Chinatown events below.
photo credit: Chris Mok
Chinatown Lion Dance Parade
Join the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) in Lunar New Year festivities with the Lion Dance Parade starting at Phillips Square! Watch stunning performances featuring several Boston-based lion dance troupes in celebration of the New Year.
Pao Arts Center’s Lunar New Year Celebration
Pao Arts Center’s interactive Lunar New Year activities have become a popular family-friendly celebration. Experience interactive cultural activities for all ages including lion dance, art demos, and family-friendly crafts.
Experience Chinatown
Discover a new take on Asian American cultures. See, hear, create, and connect. Together, celebrate the rich cultural fabric of Boston Chinatown through free creative activities for all in this yearly September event hosted by Pao Arts Center.
artist Yu-Wen Wu Lantern Stories
Chinatown Block Party
Community building block party hosted by Chinatown Land Trust (CLT), Chinese Progressive Association (CPA) and the Chinatown Residents Association (CRA). Enjoy free activities for the entire family and meet the residents at Maple Place and Oak Street. Help preserve Chinatown’s old brick houses and support affordable housing.
photo credit: lee-daniel tran
photo credit: Pao Staff
Lantern Festival
Chinatown Main Street and City of Boston celebrates the Lantern Festival with all day live cultural performances. Come visit Boston Chinatown to explore and shop with local businesses and street vendors. Sip boba tea while browsing fun Asian stalls reminiscent of street markets in Asia.
August Moon / Mid-Autumn Festival
Celebrate the August Moon Festival hosted by Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA). This is the 2nd most important Chinese festival outside of Lunar New Year and is the equivalent of Thanksgiving. Watch live cultural performances, shop local street vendors, and nibble on moon cakes in Chin Park on the Greenway.
Annual Films at the Gate Festival
Films at the Gate Festival is a free 3-night community event hosted by Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC) and organized by local youth. This family friendly event celebrates Asian films and artists, recreating the spirit of old Chinatown movies houses, which entertained families for decades until the late 1980s. Films at the Gate showcases the culture of Chinatown amidst gentrification and activates one of the few public spaces in Chinatown for community use