Washington DC Area Lunar New Year Celebrations

Celebrations in the area began early this month, and are still on-going. Due to the snow and winter weather conditions this year, it is advisable to call organizers in advance if there are changes in the date or time. Most of the on-going events (in italics) are from dc.about.com by Washington, D.C. Expert Rachel Cooper.

February 22, Sunday at 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

Chinatown, H Street, NW, Washington, D.C. (Intersection of 6th and 7th Streets)

Featuring: Parade, Traditional Chinese Dragon Dance, Kung Fu demonstrations, entertainment program, and Lighting of Firecracker (at 3:45 p.m.)

Maryland Live! Casino, 7002 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, Maryland.

Maryland Live! Casino President & GM Robert Norton will lead the Lion Dancers in a parade across the casino floor, finishing at Rams Head Center Stage. The festival will include traditional musical and dance performances, Dragon’s Beard Candy (Chinese cotton candy) made on-site.

February 16-March 1, 2015.

Lakeforest Mall, 701 Russell Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland. View beautiful Chinese New Year decorations and exhibits throughout the mall. Live entertainment (weekends, noon-5:00 p.m.) includes traditional lion and dragon dances, folk dances and martial arts demonstrations. Demonstrations and workshops include flower/bonsai arrangement, arts and crafts, painting and games.

February 21-22, 2015, 1-5 p.m.

Fair Oaks Mall, 11750 Fair Oaks, Fairfax, VA. Ceremonies, performances and exhibitions will be presented from each day, with most of the events centered in the Fair Oaks Mall Grand Court. Presented by the Washington Hai Hua Community Center, the event will feature traditional Chinese dragon dances; music and dance performances; martial arts demonstrations; children’s crafts; and a special lantern festival. More than 200 performers will participate in this year’s Lunar New Year festival, representing such countries and regions as China, Korea, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Mongolia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Polynesia and the 50th state of Hawaii.

With Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and First Lady Yumi Hogan

February 26, Thursday at 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Government House, 110 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401

 Photography is allowed; video recording in Government House is prohibited. Please contact Eun Young Hong ateunyoung.hong@maryland.gov (703-608-9876) for questions and to RSVP. Photo I.D required.

Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets, 241 Fort Evans Road NE, Leesburg, VA. Enjoy complimentary face painting, food samples provided by Far East Asian Fire, children’s crafts and live entertainment. Attendees can view Tae Kwon Do demonstrations by ATA Elite Martial Arts and Leesburg Tiger Den Martial Arts.

OAPIA celebrated the Year of the Goat and welcomed new Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs Director David Do.

February 11 at 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs

441 4th Street NW, Suite 721 North

Washington, DC 20001

The United States-China Association of Commerce

February 10

New Fortune restaurant in Gaithersburg, Maryland

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China

February 6