Learn, create and celebrate the Lunar New Year with a variety of unique events and celebrations downtown. Celebrations begin Wednesday, Jan. 29, and include both in person and virtual events throughout the weekend.
Learn and Shop at the NMAA
The Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA) (1050 Independence Ave SW) is hosting a variety of unique festivities and cultural events to ring in the Lunar New Year. Educational webinars, crafts, traditional Chinese traditions and a new year market will highlight the dynamic weekend schedule.
The museum will host virtual webinar presentations for kids on Thursday, Jan. 30, and Friday, Jan. 31. These education sessions will cover the symbolism of the snake through art from a variety of cultures. for the Thursday event (grades 1-3) here and the Friday event (grades 4-6) here.
Saturday’s all day event will include the following activities:
- 1-3 p.m: Family Fun Day including a scavenger hunt, crafts, story time and more.
- 3-4:30 p.m: Conservation Cart Talk providing an opportunity to learn about the preservation of Chinese paintings.
- 3-7 p.m: Lunar New Year Market including food vendors, a makers market, live performances and more.
Visit asia.si.edu to learn more about this weekend’s events.
Visit the Zoo’s New Pandas
The newest residents of the National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Ave NW) are ready to meet you! Celebrate District of Panda Day on Saturday, Feb. 1, with the playful bears. This all day celebration is complete with live music, panda trivia and other unique, themed activities for the whole family.
The schedule includes the following events:
- 10 a.m: Family fun dance party
- 11 a.m: Panda-themed Flower Arranging with She Loves Me
- 12 p.m: Crush Funk Brass Band
- 2 p.m: All-women Afro-Brazilian music band Batalá
- 2 p.m: Family-friendly trivia about the giant pandas and their impact on Washington DC
- 4 p.m: Yoga with the Pandas
Some events require advanced registration and ticket purchase. Visit si.nationalzoo.edu for more information.
Lunar New Year Family Celebration
Kick off the weekend celebrations at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s (SAAM) (G at Eighth Sts. NW) Lunar New Year Family Celebration. On Saturday, Feb. 1, the museum will showcase the ways different Asian cultures celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Attendees can enjoy live performances, create crafts, watch traditional Chinese and Korean art demonstrations and participate family-friendly activities. The museum’s Courtyard Café will also feature unique menu items for the celebration.
The museum will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and including the following events:
- 11:45 a.m: Opening Lion Dance, Washington CYC Lion Dance Team
- 12:05 p.m: Welcome Remarks
- 12:15 p.m: DI DIM SAE Korean Traditional Art Institute Mega Drum and Dance
- 1:10 p.m: K-Pop K-Pop Dance by the American University and George Washington University K-Pop Student Clubs
- 1:35 p.m: Simba Dojang Martial Arts Demonstration
- 2:15 p.m: Sebastian Wang Samulnori Performance
- 2:40 p.m: Closing, Hung Ci Lion Dance
Registration is free and open to the public. Visit americanart.si.edu for more information.
The Chinatown Parade
The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Washington DC (CCBA) invites the community to celebrate the Year of the Snake with a street celebration in Chinatown.
The parade will take place on Sunday, Feb. 2, at 2 p.m. on 6th and I Sts. NW and conclude with a firecracker finale and lion dance on 6th and H Sts. NW.
This annual event has been a downtown tradition for more than 60 years. This year’s participants include lion and dragon dance troupes, musical bands, kung fu schools, of the U.S. military from the Army, Navy and Air Force, high school bands and more.
Visit darade.com to learn more about this year’s festivities.
Sarah Payne is a reporter for Capital Community News. She can be reached at [email protected].
