February brings one of New Haven’s most visible examples of cultural exchange to the Whitney-Audubon District. Lunarfest, presented with support from Yale-China in connection with Lunar New Year, offers a community-scale celebration that is both accessible and substantive. Connecticut’s largest, and it’s happening right here.
Yale-China has been based in New Haven since 1901, building partnerships that bring Chinese and American communities together through education and public programming. That includes Chinese teaching fellows in New Haven Public Schools, student exchange programs, and events like Lunarfest, where global culture shows up in accessible, public formats.
On Saturday, February 21 at 10 a.m., the Lunarfest Parade begins with a traditional lion dance procession along Whitney Avenue, followed by cultural workshops, wushu performances, and a zodiac scavenger hunt. The morning brings movement, color, and sound to the neighborhood. Evidence of how New Haven’s public spaces work year-round.
Institutions activate streets. Accessibility is built into the design. Programming reflects the city’s commitment to making cultural exchange visible and participatory. Lunarfest is a public-facing invitation to participate in traditions that are often more privately observed.
Mark the calendar. Bring the family. The Whitney-Audubon District will be celebrating.
