Photographing Midnight Madness: A Lunar New Year Experience in Chinatown, New York City 2025
This year, I set out to capture the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in New York City's Chinatown—an event I had never covered before but always wanted to experience. While I had heard of something called Midnight Madness on the 29th, I wasn’t entirely sure what it was or where it would take place. But with my camera in hand and a sense of curiosity, I decided to find out.
The Search for Midnight Festivities
Earlier that evening, on January 28th, I was attending an event when I had the idea to drive through Chinatown to see if there was any kind of “stroke of midnight” moment to mark the new year. When I arrived on Mott Street, I stepped out of my car and wandered into a local shop filled with Lunar New Year decorations, lucky trinkets, and red envelopes. I grabbed a few confetti poppers and a Year of the Snake envelope, hoping to add a little more color to my photos.
Outside, small groups of people were lighting sparklers and setting off confetti cannons, but when I asked around about a formal celebration at midnight, no one seemed certain if anything was happening. I met a group of Chinese kids, handed them the confetti poppers, and captured some joyful shots of them celebrating.
Stumbling Into the Real Midnight Madness
After snapping a few photos and shooting some fun videos, I figured that might be all for the night and started heading back to my car. But as I began driving away, I noticed a small crowd gathering outside a building. Something told me to stop and check it out. I quickly parked, grabbed my camera bag, and ran toward the crowd—just in time to see a lion dancer emerge from the building’s doorway.
This had to be it!
And sure enough, it was. The Chinese Freemasons were kicking off Midnight Madness. One by one, four lion dancers stepped out, their elaborate costumes swaying with each movement. The energy in the air shifted as more people gathered, and soon, a spontaneous parade was underway.
The Parade Through Chinatown
With the NYPD escorting the crowd, the four lions led the way through the streets of Chinatown, trailed by a booming procession of drums and cymbals—all played from the back of a Cybertruck. Firecrackers exploded along the route, filling the air with smoke and the scent of burnt paper, while confetti rained down with each pop of a celebratory cannon.
Traffic came to a standstill as the parade moved toward the Freemasons Association on Mott Street, where the lions performed their traditional dance, weaving through the crowd as cheers erupted all around. Just before midnight, a small ceremony took place in which the lions were fed oranges and then tossed them back into the crowd—a symbolic act believed to bring good fortune.
After the ceremony, the lions led the parade back to its starting point, marking the end of a celebration I had only accidentally stumbled upon but was so glad to witness and document.
Tips for Photographing Lunar New Year Events
If you’re planning to attend Midnight Madness or any outdoor Lunar New Year celebrations, here are some tips to make the most of your experience:
🔴 Wear safety goggles and earplugs – Firecrackers are everywhere, and they can go off right at your feet without warning. The noise is deafening, and flying debris can be hazardous to your eyes.
🔴 Bring a face mask – The combination of firecracker smoke and confetti dust can be overwhelming, making it difficult to breathe at times.
🔴 Use a fast lens or a flash – Many parts of the parade route are dimly lit, so having a lens with a wide aperture (f/1.8 or lower) or an external flash will help capture sharp images.
🔴 Be ready to move – This is not a stationary event! The parade moves quickly, and you'll need to adjust your position often to get the best shots.
Capturing Midnight Madness in Chinatown was an unforgettable experience, and if you ever get the chance to witness it, be ready for the unexpected—because that’s where the magic happens. ✨