Also known as the Spring Festival in China, Lunar New Year is a 15-day celebration marked by many traditions and celebrated in a variety of countries and cultures, including Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Mongolia. The DMV has many celebrations observing the Lunar New Year, all of which are said to bring good luck and fortune. People born in the Year of the Snake are said to be steadfast, goal-oriented, intuitive and creative! Below are some events in the DMV that you can attend and enjoy as a family.
Virginia
La Vang Lunar New Year Festival
Saturday, January 18th and Sunday, January 19th. The Dulles Expo Center, a 100,000 square-foot indoor facility will be filled with cultural performances, musical entertainment, fashion shows, lion/dragon dances, gifts vendors, traditional food/drink, children’s games and festive activities and promises fun and engagement for the entire family. Chantilly, Va.
Lunar New Year Celebration
Tuesday, January 28th, 5-7 p.m. Enjoy a Lion Dance performance by Hung Ci Lion Dance Troupe, fortune cookies and more at this free, family-friendly event. Arlington, Va.
Celebrate the Lunar New Year!
Saturday, February 1st, 3-4:30 p.m. Families. Celebrate the Year of the Snake at the Long Branch Nature Center. You’ll meet some live animals, make Lunar New Year crafts, then take a short hike with our paper popper “firecrackers” to chase away the New Year’s beast Nian! Registration Required.
D.C.
Year of the Snake Webinars
Thursday, January 30th and Friday, January 31st. These webinars ring in the Year of the Snake! Students will learn about the symbolism of the snake through art from a variety of cultures. These sessions are perfect for families, homeschool groups, virtual schools or teachers who may want to review a recording with their students after the live session. Everyone who registers gets a link to the recording. Each session includes American Sign Language interpretation. First session for grades 1-3, second session for grades 4-6 can be found here.
Lunar New Year Family Celebration
Saturday, February 1st, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Celebrate the Year of the Snake with the Smithsonian American Art MuseumGo for their 11th and final year of showcasing the ways different Asian cultures celebrate the Lunar New Year. Attendees will enjoy dance and musical performances, crafts, traditional Chinese and Korean art demonstrations, family-friendly activities and more. The Courtyard Café will offer special holiday treats for purchase to honor the occasion.
Lunar New Year Family Fun
Saturday, February 1st, 1-3 p.m. at the National Museum of Asian Art. It’s the Year of the Snake. Enjoy a scavenger hunt covering six different galleries, make a lantern, color your own zodiac animal and more! Plus, try traditional ink painting and have your name written in Chinese. Space is limited. Register in advance to make sure you get the best experience. Some activities have a limited capacity, with entry on a first-come, first-served basis.
Lunar New Year Market
Saturday, February 1st, 3-7p.m. Celebrate the Lunar New Year with an early evening market at the Smithsonian Arts + Industries Building. Enjoy hands-on activities, lion dances, food, artisans and makers and more!
DC Chinese Lunar New Year Parade
Sunday, February 2nd, 2 p.m. at Gallery Place/Chinatown. Come for a vibrant community-based parade featuring various cultural and community performers. The grand finale will include a spectacular firecracker show in the middle of H Street. Arrive early to enjoy a meal at one of the many local eateries and restaurants and then find the perfect curbside spot to witness the colorful festivities!
Maryland
Drop in the Museum: Lunar New Year
Saturday, February 25th, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., It’s the Year of the Snake and there will be snake-related craft activities celebrating the Lunar New Year at the Gaithersburg Community Museum. Gaithersburg, Md.
Year of the Snake
Sunday, January 26th, 1:30–2:30 p.m. Celebrate the coming of the Year of the Snake by getting up close and personal with some snake animal ambassadors! Learn all about the characteristics that make snakes so special, interact with a real snake and make a snake craft. Ages 6-12. Children under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult. Rockville, Md.
Lunar New Year with the CYC Lion Dance Team
Saturday, February 1st, 10:30-11 a.m. All ages are invited to the library for a special celebration as the CYC Lion Dance Team presents traditional music and dance. Rockville, Md.
Lunar New Year Celebration: Presented by Li-Ming Chinese Academy
Saturday, February 1st, 11-12:30 a.m. Come to the library for an event featuring lion dance, Lunar New Year traditions and zodiac signs, shadow puppets and Chinese yo-yo. There will be activity booths for kids.