Chinese New Year 2014 holiday is almost upon us - find out how to celebrate the year of the horse in NYC this Chinese New Year 2014!

This year's Chinese New Year 2014 falls earlier in the year than usual, on Friday, January 31, and is the year of the horse. We have a few suggestions as to how you can celebrate the new year according to the lunar calendar!

On Friday, January 31, you can attend the Firecracker Ceremony & Cultural Festival, from 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. in Roosevelt Park (between Grand & Hester Streets). One of the traditional Chinese New Year activities is to set off firecrackers at midnight to ward off evil spirits and celebrate the arrival of the Lunar New Year, About.com reports. Several organizations in Chinatown organize the Firecracker Ceremony, as it's illegal for individuals to set off fireworks in NYC. There will also be lion dances, drumming and dancing, as well as booths selling traditional Chinese New Year items. After the ceremony, there is a parade through Chinatown that begins at Roosevelt Park.

On Sunday, February 2, you can check out the 15th Annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade & Festival, at 1 p.m. The parade starts at Mott/Hester Streets and winds through Chinatown down Mott, along East Broadway, and up Eldridge Street to Forsyth. The parade includes floats, marching bands, lion and dragon dances, musicians, magicians, and acrobats. Over 5,000 people are expected to march in the parade, About.com reports. The parade is expected to conclude at 3 pm, followed by an outdoor cultural festival in Sara D. Roosevelt Park.

You can find out more information here.

Make sure to prepare for cold weather, as these events are outdoors!

If you'd rather stay inside and not freeze your toes off, another option is the Family Festival: Gallop into the New Year at MOCA on Saturday, February 1, from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. This event, held at the MoCA (Museum of Chinese in America) on 215 Centre Street, is free with museum admission ($10 for general admission; $5 for children and seniors, and free for children under 12). The event includes family-friendly activities, gallery tours, lion dances, readings and crafts.