The Year of the Dragon was celebrated in New York’s Chinatown with a series of events that concluded with the 26th annual parade on February 25. Well attended this year, the parade stepped off on a sunny day and featured many dragons and dignitaries and politicians.

The first and fiercest dragon on Mott and Bayard Streets

Fireworks are prohibited, but spectators replace the fireworks with confetti to greet the dragons

Lion dancers on Mott Street

A group of lion dancers on Confucius Square

Governor Kathy Hochul (second from left) appeared under heavy security

This year, Senator Chuck Schumer was greeted with chants of “Cease fire now” by a group of parade spectators

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched in the parade

Young lion dancers from the De Soto School in Chinatown

Children firing confetti poppers after the parade