The Lunar New Year, which falls on February 5th in 2019, is a holiday full of fun festivities celebrated by many cultures including China, Vietnam, and Korea. These typically involve firecrackers, red lanterns, and spectacular dragon dances. Here are a few events going on for the Lunar New Year weekend, particularly in the Washington, D.C. metro area:
Washington D.C. Chinese New Year Parade
Sunday, February 10th, 2019, 2:00pm – 4:30pm
Chinatown, Washington, DC (H St. NW between 6th & 8th St.)
This event in the heart of the city will show an epic display of Chinese culture with its dragon dances, live musical performances, and kung fu demonstrations. If you require metro access then you’re in luck; go to the Gallery Place/Chinatown Station linked by the Red, Green, and Yellow lines. Enjoy all the firecrackers exploding with good fortune – just make sure you don’t get scared when a lion approaches you!
KC Chinese New Year Family Day
Saturday, February 9th, 2019, 10:00am – 4:00pm
The Kennedy Center (2700 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20566)
This family-friendly event filled with many fun activities will showcase beautiful art and culture from China’s Guangdong Province. These activities include, but not limited to, calligraphy demonstrations, face painting, and red lantern making. There will also be live traditional Cantonese music performances, Lingnan puppets, contortionists, and of course, lion dances!
Lunar New Year at the Eden Center
Sunday, February 10th, 2019, 11:00am
Eden Center (6763 Wilson Blvd., Falls Church, VA 22044)
Known as Tết in Vietnamese, the Lunar New Year celebration at Falls Church, Virginia’s Eden Center offers a beautiful display of Vietnamese culture as well. Enjoy an event filled with lion dances, balloon sculptures, face painting, and many more. While you’re at it, check out the many great restaurants at the shopping center as well.
