Year of the Horse: Lunar New Year 2026 in Portland

Lunar New Year 2026 is almost here! While last year was the Year of the Snake, this year brings the Year of the Horse—and specifically, the Fire Horse. Lunar New Year 2026 starts on Tuesday, February 17 (which also happens to be Mardi Gras) and Year of the Horse ends February 5, 2027. It’s considered to be an optimistic year with plenty of opportunities, associated with success and good fortune.

Here’s our roundup of places to celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse. 

More Food and Drink | Less Food and Drink

Lunar New Year 2026: There’s Food and Drink Here

After Ours

On Tuesday, February 17 from 7pm to late, After Ours presents Ăn Tết Part 1: After Ours by Night. “It’s our first Tết at the bar and y’all already know we had to throw a party for yall!” What to expect during this celebration of the Year of the Horse:

• The first 30 guests get bao lì xì (lucky envelope) filled with gift cards to a few of the After Ours staff’s favorite businesses in town, and vouchers to the bar.
• One ultra-lucky red envelope includes two admissions to Cascada.
• $7 VSOP & Don Julio (cognac and tequila, respectively) all night.
• Ao Dài contest: “Pull up in your best ao dài for a chance to win $100.”
• Vibes by Fish Sauce + After Ours’ own Kennald & Steph: Vinahouse, K-pop, R&B, and Hip-Hop all night.

2226 NE Broadway, Portland. After Ours Instagram

Chinese American Citizens Alliance 

The Chinese American Citizens Alliance, which “helps Chinese Americans across the United States advocate for their civil rights, preserve their cultural heritage, and make a difference in their communities through education, leadership, and community service,” is holding a fundraiser for Lunar New Year 2026 

This is the Portland Lodge’s Chinese New Year Celebration and Anniversary Gala Fundraiser, which celebrates 105 years of community, service, and friendship. It takes place on Sunday, February 22 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm at Excellent Cuisine. Tickets are $120 per person ($70 is tax deductible) or $1200 per table ($700 is tax deductible). You can purchase your tickets on their website. 

8733 SE Division Street, Portland. C.A.C.A. Portland website

Chinese New Year Cultural Fair 

Head to the Oregon Convention Center (Hall A) on Saturday, February 28 from 11am to 5pm, for the Chinese New Year Cultural Fair to welcome the Year of the Horse. A family-friendly event, you’ll be able to enjoy Chinese street food and regional dishes, as well as traditional Lunar New Year foods. Look for cultural performances, traditional crafts, kid’s activities, martial arts demonstrations, and vendors selling a variety of clothing, crafts, and Lunar New Year gifts.

This is a ticketed event: $8, Early Bird tickets (available only at VG Center, 8733 SE Division Street UNIT 108); $10 at the door; free for kids under 3 years of age.

777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland. Chinese New Year Cultural Fair event website

Delicious Donuts

This popular donut shop is offering Tết boxes for Lunar New Year, the result of a partnership with Mike Bennett and HeyDay. They are $18 each and come with four raised rounds, two Heyday ube mochi donuts, two Mike Bennett’s horse stickers, and Li-Xi (lucky money). If you’d like the rounds filled with lemon, raspberry, and/or Bavarian cream (up to 2) it’s an additional 25¢ each.

To order, please text at 503-888-8648. Please order by Wednesday, February 11.

Fubonn

Head to Fubonn for your Lunar New Year 2026 needs. They’ll have festive decorations, red envelopes, and ingredients you need to prepare traditional new year’s dishes. They also have a Year of the Horse setup you can take a photo with. 

2850 SE 82nd Avenue, Portland. Fubonn website

Here Portland

Sophia and Vance over at Here Portland also recommend Fubonn, as well as Emmert Cali Saigon Mall (where Shun Fat is) and Portland Closeout for your Lunar New Year 2026 needs. These are “all my adored shops for Lunar New Year goodies!! Red envelopes, gold decor, LNY special cookies & snackies, fresh cherry blossoms, and pre-packaged gift baskets.”

5253 SE 82nd Avenue, UNIT 27 and 2107 NE 82nd Avenue, Portland

HeyDay

For Lunar New Year they are offering two special sets of treats to choose from. They are:

• Set 1 contains mini shortbread cookies in “a cute little box.” Flavors include black sesame, hojicha kinako (tea + roasted soybean flour), matcha white chocolate, and pandan coconut. $20.
• Set 2 is a pastry box set. Items include yuzu olive oil cake, baked pandan coconut doughnut, black sesame cinnamon roll, matcha madeleines (2), and passionfruit almond bostock. $40.

Order them on the HeyDay Square page. Pick up boxes on Saturday, February 14 from 9am to 2pm at SUNRICE.

4090 N Williams Avenue, Portland. HeyDay Instagram page

Jade Rabbit x Veganizer 

Instead of doing a one-night-only pop-up dinner, the folks from Veganizer and Jade Rabbit are offering a prix fixe menu—a Lunar New Year’s banquet—to usher in the Year of the Fire Horse for five days. The dates for these dinners are Monday February, 16 to Friday, February 20 at Jade Rabbit. The meal will be, of course, completely vegan, as well as being gluten-free.

It costs $75 per person, gratuity included. 6pm and 8pm seatings on February 16, Lunar New Year’s Eve; 6pm only on the other evenings. You can reserve your seats on the Jade Rabbit Resy page.

2304 SE Belmont Street, Portland. Jade Rabbit website

McMinnville Community Center

This well-established annual community event to celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse is on Sunday, February 15 from 11am to 4pm. This festive, family-friendly community gathering is free and includes cultural cuisine and crafts, Portland Lee’s Association Lion Dance, live music, and cultural performances. “Come and join us in celebrating culture, sharing good food, and uniting our community.” Free tickets are available on Eventbrite.

600 NE Evans Street, McMinnville. McMinnville Community Center website

Momiji

Over on their Instagram, Momiji is teasing out what they will offer for the Year of the Horse, starting Sunday, February 15: “Prizes. Surprises. Sushi. Our Lucky Red Envelope Giveaway is Coming Soon.”

Multiple locations. Momiji website

Sibeiho

Celebrate Lunar New Year 2026 with Sibeiho’s Singaporean-style sambals. LNY specials include:

• Pineapple & Rhubarb Jam. “Inspired by pineapple tarts (旺来 / inviting abundance) with a bright twist of PNW sourced rhubarb.”
• Zi Char Pickled Peppers.
”Made with Olde Moon Farm peppers. Bold, nostalgic Zi Char flavors — the palate-cleansing pickle we grew up eating during rich CNY feasts.”

These two sambals are made in limited batches. Order them on the Sibeiho website.

Takara Sushi

They are hosting a festive Lunar New Year Celebration “filled with tradition, great food, and good vibes.” It’s on Tuesday, February 17 from 2pm to 5pm. They’ll have sushi and festive bites, along with a lion dance.

1264 NW Naito Pkwy, Portland. Takara Sushi website

Vietnamese Community of Oregon 

They welcome you to help usher in the Year of the Horse, starting at 11am on Saturday, February 21. This will take place at Clackamas High School in Clackamas. It’s a free event and open to the public—enjoy live music, traditional Áo Dài, performances (including a lion dance), and Vietnamese food and beverages by a selection of vendors.  

14486 SE 122nd Avenue, Clackamas. Vietnamese Community of Oregon website

Lunar New Year Events: It’s Less About the Food

Bridgeport Village 

On Saturday, February 21 from 11am to 2pm, Bridgeport Village welcomes the Year of the Horse. And they’ve put together a family-friendly event. A lion dance from White Lotus starts at 11am, and following that are the Portland Chinese School (yo-yo team), the Oregon Chinese Coalition (music and dance), YZ Dance Studio, and Summit Wushu Academy ( martial arts). All events take place outside. 

There will also be paper lantern art and a wish tree, among others—including a scavenger hunt! “Take a stroll around Bridgeport Village during the event and find 12 Lunar-themed decals hiding amongst the various stores and restaurants.” 

7455 SW Bridgeport Road, Tigard. Bridgeport Village website

Lan Su Chinese Garden

The Lan Su Chinese Garden is a heavy hitter when it comes to celebrating the Year of the Horse from Tuesday February 17 through Sunday, March 8. They are hosting a variety of activities, including a Mini Horse Meet & Greet, cultural performances, new year storytime, family craft activities, Chinese calligraphy, and lion dances. As for food, there is the lovely Yun Shui Teahouse, which is really worth your time. 

239 NW Everett Street, Portland. Lan Su Chinese Garden website

Midland Library

“Join us for our Lunar New Year celebration at Midland Library! Enjoy the lion dance from the White Lotus team, be in awe of the art of Wushu from Summit Wushu Academy, do crafts and more!” Festivities take place on Saturday, February 21 from 2pm to 4pm. 

805 SE 122nd Avenue, Portland. Midland Library website

Portland Chinatown Museum Dragon Dance Parade

On Saturday, March 7, 2026, the Portland Chinatown Museum Dragon Dance Parade steps off from 10am to 1pm that day. It’s free to watch but museum admission is ticketed. The parade is 10 years old this year!

You’ll get to see a 150-foot dragon that requires dozens of performers to manipulate, lion dance troupes, live music, cultural performances, and more. It’s a good idea to arrive early to snag a spot. 

127 NW 3rd Avenue, Portland. Portland Chinatown Museum website

White Rabbit Book Cafe

This Lunar New Year block party is on Saturday, February 14. “Come join us on Downtown Oregon City’s 500 block for an afternoon of food, games, and entertainment to celebrate Lunar New Year!” This is a free event and starts at 2pm with a lion dance by the Portland Lee’s Association Lion Dance team. Programming and activities are at White Rabbit Book Cafe and Soulflags Art Center.

503 Main Street, Oregon City. White Rabbit Book Cafe website

Rockwood Market Hall

Rockwood Market Hall is hosting a Lunar New Year Celebration on Saturday, February 21. They’ll have a lively performance by the Chinese Friendship Association of Portland’s Lion Dance Team. And there is food all around at the Market Hall, too. 

458 SE 185th Avenue, Portland. Rockwood Market Hall website

Washington Square Mall 

This annual Lunar New Year celebration at Summit Court includes traditional crafts, arts, and performances, a chance to make a wish on the Wishing Tree, and more. Festivities are Saturday, February 28 from 11am to 4pm.

Performances this year include those from the Portland Puppet Museum (“Legends of Ancient China and Jade Empress of China”), Korean Music Institute of Oregon (Kayageum Performance), White Lotus Dragon & Lion Dance, and more. Full list of performances are here. 

9585 SW Washington Square Road, Portland. Washington Square Lunar New Year event page 

White Lotus Lion Dance Schedule

Check out their 2026 public performance schedule for the Year of the Horse. “Catch us over the next 6 weeks galloping all around Portland performing for Lunar New Year/Chinese New Year/Tett.” Multiple locations