Celebrate Lunar New Year and Mardi Gras 2026 with the best songs that capture the festive spirit of these vibrant cultural celebrations, featuring verified classics and contemporary hits. Whether you’re planning a family reunion for the Year of the Snake or throwing the ultimate Fat Tuesday bash, the right music playlist transforms any gathering into an unforgettable experience. From traditional Asian New Year anthems to New Orleans brass band classics, this curated list delivers authentic celebration music backed by decades of cultural tradition.
These two seemingly different celebrations share remarkable similarities in their emphasis on renewal, community joy, and musical expression. Lunar New Year marks the beginning of a fresh cycle in the lunar calendar with traditions spanning thousands of years across Asian cultures, while Mardi Gras represents a final celebration before the solemn Lenten season in Christian tradition. Both festivities demand music that brings people together, encourages dancing and celebration, and honors deep cultural roots. The songs featured here have been carefully verified to ensure you’re getting genuine celebration anthems, not fabricated titles, so you can confidently build playlists that honor these important traditions.
Gong Xi Gong Xi by Chen Gexin
This 1945 classic remains the most recognizable Lunar New Year song across all Chinese-speaking communities worldwide. Composed by Chen Gexin during the Republican era of China, the cheerful melody and simple “congratulations” lyrics have made it a staple at virtually every Chinese New Year celebration for nearly eight decades. The song is played constantly in shopping malls, homes, restaurants, and public spaces throughout the entire Lunar New Year period, making it as synonymous with Chinese New Year as jingle bells are with Christmas.
When the Saints Go Marching In by Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong’s legendary rendition of this traditional New Orleans jazz standard perfectly embodies the spirit of Mardi Gras celebrations. This quintessential jazz tune has been performed at countless Mardi Gras parades since the early 20th century, with its triumphant horn sections creating an atmosphere of pure joy. The song’s marching rhythm makes it ideal for second-line parades, and its uplifting melody encourages spontaneous dancing and celebration wherever it plays.
Gong Xi Fa Cai by Andy Lau
Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau released this mega-hit Lunar New Year song in 2005, and it quickly became a modern classic played at celebrations throughout Asia. The upbeat tempo combined with traditional well-wishing lyrics about prosperity and good fortune resonates with multiple generations. Andy Lau’s star power and the song’s catchy melody ensured it would join the pantheon of essential Chinese New Year music, particularly popular in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Iko Iko by The Dixie Cups
The Dixie Cups’ 1965 recording of this Mardi Gras Indian chant became one of the most recognizable songs associated with New Orleans Carnival celebrations. The call-and-response structure and percussion-driven arrangement capture the spontaneous street culture of Mardi Gras, with mysterious Creole lyrics that have been debated by scholars for decades. This track has been covered by numerous artists but the original Dixie Cups version remains the definitive Mardi Gras party anthem, appearing in countless films and commercials celebrating New Orleans culture.
Dance of the Golden Snake by Nie Er
Composed by Nie Er (who also created China’s national anthem) by arranging traditional folk melodies, this instrumental piece has become inseparable from Lunar New Year celebrations. The lively composition features traditional Chinese instruments and dynamic rhythms that evoke images of lion dances and festive parades. Played constantly during Chinese New Year in shopping centers and celebrations, the energetic melody perfectly captures the excitement and renewal associated with welcoming a new lunar year.
Mardi Gras Mambo by The Hawkettes
This 1954 rhythm and blues classic by the Hawkettes (featuring a young Art Neville who would later found The Meters) remains a Carnival season essential. The swinging horns, infectious mambo beat, and lyrics referencing New Orleans neighborhoods and Mardi Gras traditions make it authentically celebratory. Released on Chess Records, the song became an immediate hit and has maintained its popularity for seven decades, with multiple artists covering it including The Meters themselves in 1976.
A Fire in Winter by Fei Xiang
Taiwanese-American singer Fei Xiang’s 1987 performance of this song at the CCTV Spring Festival Gala became a cultural phenomenon across mainland China. Originally recorded by Taiwanese singer Gao Lingfeng in 1982, Fei Xiang’s version combined the catchy melody with disco-influenced dance moves that were revolutionary for Chinese television at the time. The song’s massive popularity made Fei Xiang an overnight sensation, and it remains closely associated with Chinese New Year nostalgia for anyone who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s.
Go to the Mardi Gras by Professor Longhair
Professor Longhair’s 1959 masterpiece has become virtually synonymous with Mardi Gras itself, featuring his distinctive New Orleans piano style. The song references real New Orleans streets like St. Claude and Dumaine, and mentions Zulu kings and queens, connecting it to actual Mardi Gras traditions. Played constantly throughout Carnival season, this track captures the essence of New Orleans culture with its rolling rhythms and jubilant atmosphere that encourages everyone to join the celebration.
Cai Shen Dao by Liu Wen-cheng
Taiwanese singer Liu Wen-cheng’s classic song about the arrival of the God of Wealth became hugely popular in Singapore and Malaysia during the late 1970s. The song addresses common concerns of ordinary people hoping for prosperity during inflationary times, making it relatable across economic backgrounds. Its cheerful melody and direct lyrics about welcoming financial good fortune make it perfect for lion dance performances and business celebrations during Lunar New Year.
Carnival Time by Al Johnson
Al Johnson’s 1960 recording on the Ric label took several years to catch on but eventually became a Mardi Gras standard. Featuring Dr. John (Mac Rebennack) on piano, the song references real New Orleans locations like Claiborne Street and captures the overwhelming joy of Carnival celebrations. The enthusiastic vocals and driving rhythm create an irresistible party atmosphere, and the song’s refrain “everybody’s havin’ fun” perfectly summarizes the Mardi Gras spirit.
Happily Welcoming the Harvest Year by M-Girls
Malaysian girl group M-Girls debuted in 2001 with this Chinese New Year song that set sales records with over 50,000 copies sold and platinum status. The group became known as the “Queens of CNY Bops” for their annual releases of upbeat festive tracks. This particular song launched their career and established them as Lunar New Year music icons throughout Malaysia, Singapore, and Chinese diaspora communities across Southeast Asia.
Hey Pocky A-Way by The Meters
The Meters’ 1974 funk masterpiece has become a Mardi Gras essential, with its groove-heavy rhythm and call-and-response vocals. The song references Mardi Gras Indian culture, with the memorable chorus allegedly stemming from early Native American dialects in the New Orleans region. The Grateful Dead’s later cover helped popularize the song further, but the original Meters version remains the definitive Mardi Gras recording, regularly covered by brass bands during parade season.
Abundance of Wealth by M-Girls
Released in 2010 as part of M-Girls’ extensive catalog of Chinese New Year albums, this track exemplifies their signature sound of traditional celebration themes with modern pop production. The song title’s auspicious meaning made it particularly popular for business gatherings and family celebrations welcoming prosperity. M-Girls’ annual Chinese New Year releases became so anticipated that fans would wait each year for their new festive albums, making them essential to Malaysian and Singaporean Lunar New Year celebrations.
Big Chief by Professor Longhair
Professor Longhair’s tribute to Mardi Gras Indian culture showcases his distinctive New Orleans rhythm and blues piano style. The song honors the unique tradition of African American groups creating elaborate feathered costumes and parading through neighborhoods during Carnival. Its rolling rhythms and celebratory vocals make it essential for anyone wanting to understand the deep cultural roots of Mardi Gras beyond the mainstream tourist experience.
Bai Da Nian (Happy Chinese New Year)
This traditional folk song has been recorded by countless artists over the decades and remains a staple greeting song during Lunar New Year. Originally from Taiwan, various renditions by different artists have kept the song fresh across generations while maintaining its core message of New Year blessings. The song is particularly popular during the formal visiting period when families call on relatives and friends to exchange good wishes for the coming year.
Do Whatcha Wanna by Rebirth Brass Band
The Grammy Award-winning Rebirth Brass Band, founded in 1983 by members from Joseph S. Clark Senior High School in New Orleans, made this their signature Mardi Gras anthem. The high-energy brass arrangement and infectious rhythm capture the spontaneous spirit of New Orleans second-line parades. This instrumental powerhouse gets everyone dancing and perfectly embodies the “do what you want” freedom that defines Mardi Gras celebrations, making it a modern brass band classic.
Clouds in My Hometown by Fei Xiang
Fei Xiang performed this touching ballad alongside “A Fire in Winter” at the 1987 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, creating a perfect emotional balance. The song’s lyrics about homesickness and longing for one’s homeland resonated deeply with Chinese audiences, particularly those separated from family. Its subtle “One China” themes and Fei Xiang’s heartfelt delivery made it an instant classic, and he reprised the performance at the 1997 Hong Kong handover celebration, cementing its place in Chinese New Year musical history.
Second Line by Stop, Inc.
This 1970s recording filled a gap when musicians discovered no existing studio version existed of the popular New Orleans parade music. Session musicians stepped up to create this instrumental that perfectly captures the second-line parade tradition. The song requires no lyrics because the horn arrangements and driving rhythms speak for themselves, evoking images of brass bands leading joyful processions through New Orleans streets during Mardi Gras season.
Golden Blessings Everywhere by M-Girls
Part of M-Girls’ 2004 collaboration album with Four Golden Princesses, this track set a Malaysia Book of Records achievement for featuring 108 lion dancers in its music video. The ambitious production showcased the group’s commitment to creating visually spectacular Chinese New Year content beyond just audio recordings. The song’s lyrics celebrate prosperity and good fortune with the traditional imagery of lion dances bringing blessings to communities, making it perfect for business openings and celebrations.
Li’l Liza Jane by Preservation Hall Jazz Band
The legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band brings traditional New Orleans jazz authenticity to this fun, upbeat tune perfect for Mardi Gras parades. As one of New Orleans’ most respected musical institutions, Preservation Hall has kept traditional jazz alive for decades while making it accessible to new generations. Their version of this classic demonstrates how traditional parade music continues to evolve while maintaining the essential spirit that makes Mardi Gras music so distinctive and joyful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most essential Lunar New Year songs everyone should know?
The most essential Lunar New Year songs include “Gong Xi Gong Xi” by Chen Gexin from 1945, which remains the single most recognizable Chinese New Year anthem worldwide. “Gong Xi Fa Cai” by Andy Lau has become the modern standard since its 2005 release, played constantly in shopping centers and homes throughout Asia. “Dance of the Golden Snake” by Nie Er, though instrumental, perfectly captures the festive energy with traditional Chinese instrumentation that makes it inseparable from lion dance performances and Lunar New Year celebrations.
Which Mardi Gras songs are actually played at authentic New Orleans celebrations?
Authentic Mardi Gras celebrations feature “Go to the Mardi Gras” by Professor Longhair, “Iko Iko” by The Dixie Cups, and “Mardi Gras Mambo” by The Hawkettes as absolute essentials. Brass band favorites like “Do Whatcha Wanna” by Rebirth Brass Band and “Hey Pocky A-Way” by The Meters dominate parade routes and street parties. “When the Saints Go Marching In” by Louis Armstrong and “Carnival Time” by Al Johnson round out the classics that define authentic New Orleans Carnival season, with each song carrying decades of tradition and cultural significance.
How can I verify if a Lunar New Year or Mardi Gras song is real?
To verify songs, search for the specific artist and track title combination on reputable music streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube Music where you can see release dates and artist information. Check cultural heritage websites and music history resources that document traditional celebration music, particularly for older classics. Be especially cautious with newly released Chinese New Year songs, as many are created annually but not all achieve lasting recognition—sticking with established classics from artists like Andy Lau, M-Girls, Professor Longhair, and The Meters ensures authenticity.
Can the same playlist work for both Lunar New Year and Mardi Gras celebrations?
While both celebrations benefit from upbeat, festive music, they represent distinct cultural traditions best honored with separate playlists tailored to their unique musical styles. Lunar New Year music features Asian pop, traditional Chinese instruments, and Mandarin or Cantonese lyrics celebrating prosperity and family reunion. Mardi Gras centers on New Orleans jazz, brass bands, funk, and rhythm and blues with English lyrics celebrating Carnival freedom. However, you could create a multicultural celebration that respectfully features music from both traditions at different segments of your event, exposing guests to diverse cultural expressions of joy and renewal.
Are there any modern artists creating new Lunar New Year or Mardi Gras music?
Yes, both traditions continue evolving with contemporary artists—M-Girls released Chinese New Year albums annually through the 2010s with modern pop production values while maintaining traditional themes. Malaysian and Singaporean artists regularly produce new Lunar New Year tracks, though determining which will become classics requires time. For Mardi Gras, modern brass bands like Rebirth Brass Band, Hot 8 Brass Band, and Trombone Shorty create contemporary interpretations of traditional New Orleans sounds. These newer artists honor cultural heritage while incorporating modern musical influences, ensuring both celebration traditions remain vibrant and relevant to younger generations.
What makes a song appropriate for Lunar New Year celebrations specifically?
Appropriate Lunar New Year songs feature lyrics about prosperity, good fortune, family reunion, and welcoming the new year with optimism and hope for the future. Musical arrangements often incorporate traditional Chinese instruments like the erhu, pipa, or ceremonial drums alongside modern pop production. The tone should be celebratory and auspicious, avoiding any sad or negative themes that might bring bad luck for the coming year. Classic examples consistently reference themes of wealth (fa cai), happiness (kuai le), and family togetherness (tuan yuan), making them suitable for multi-generational gatherings where blessing and prosperity wishes are central to the celebration.