MK socks the United States, Feb. 16, 2025. The 27th Lunar New Year parade and festival returned to Chinatown in Lower Manhattan, New York City, on Sunday despite unusual downpours. The rain didn't dampen the high spirits of the celebration's participants, who enjoyed a display of floats, bands and performances like dragon and lion dances. Thousands of people from far and near lined up the streets in Chinatown, and they also had a chance to patronize booths and restaurants in the area. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua)" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2025/2025-02-14/bb9eeac9-7379-4463-b9ba-50f6904c1a30.jpeg" />

Participants march in the Lunar New Year parade in New York City, the United States, Feb. 16, 2025. The 27th Lunar New Year parade and festival returned to Chinatown in Lower Manhattan, New York City, on Sunday despite unusual downpours. The rain didn't dampen the high spirits of the celebration's participants, who enjoyed a display of floats, bands and performances like dragon and lion dances. Thousands of people from far and near lined up the streets in Chinatown, and they also had a chance to patronize booths and restaurants in the area. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua)

 

A participant dressed as a "God of Wealth" hands out red envelopes that symbolize wealth during the Lunar New Year parade in New York City, the United States, Feb. 16, 2025. The 27th Lunar New Year parade and festival returned to Chinatown in Lower Manhattan, New York City, on Sunday despite unusual downpours. The rain didn't dampen the high spirits of the celebration's participants, who enjoyed a display of floats, bands and performances like dragon and lion dances. Thousands of people from far and near lined up the streets in Chinatown, and they also had a chance to patronize booths and restaurants in the area. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua)

 

Chinese Consul General in New York Chen Li (4th L, front) is pictured during the Lunar New Year parade in New York City, the United States, Feb. 16, 2025. The 27th Lunar New Year parade and festival returned to Chinatown in Lower Manhattan, New York City, on Sunday despite unusual downpours. The rain didn't dampen the high spirits of the celebration's participants, who enjoyed a display of floats, bands and performances like dragon and lion dances. Thousands of people from far and near lined up the streets in Chinatown, and they also had a chance to patronize booths and restaurants in the area. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua)

The 27th Lunar New Year parade and festival returned to Chinatown in Lower Manhattan, New York City, on Sunday despite unusual downpours.

The rain didn't dampen the high spirits of the celebration's participants, who enjoyed a display of floats, bands and performances like dragon and lion dances. Thousands of people from far and near lined up the streets in Chinatown and they also had a chance to patronize booths and restaurants in the area.

Huang Shanren, a calligraphist originally from southeast China's Fuzhou city joined the parade, holding his calligraphy work -- a big-sized golden character "Fu" which means good fortune in Chinese -- on red paper.

Chinese "Fu" culture has a history of thousands of years and there's a need to carry it on, said Huang.

The lanterns hung over the streets in Chinatown make people recognize the area easily and the decorations are really interesting, British tourist Louise Phosie told Xinhua. She said that she got to know the parade from a YouTube video and wanted to see traditional Chinese symbolisms like the dragon and the dressing up.

"Though it's raining, I heard rain promises a good harvest," said Anne, a New Yorker from Brooklyn, expressing her hope for a prosperous year in 2025.

The celebrations also had the presence of guests like Senator of New York and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Chinese Consul General in New York Chen Li.

The annual event has become a cultural attraction that helps bring foot traffic and business to Chinatown.