Welcome to the Year of the Dragon.
While the Gregorian calendar recognizes January 1st as the first day of the new year, lunisolar calendars, which calculate months by moon cycles, celebrate the arrival of another year differently. Numerous Asian countries that use lunisolar calendars honor the new year according to the new moon, with some cultures observing it at different times. This year, the Lunar New Year falls on Saturday, February 10th, for most cultures.
Throughout January, February, and beyond, the spirit of the new year continues, and Seattle is the place to be when celebrating. January 1st was just a spark. Here’s where to catch the full flame.
📸: Courtesy Tết In Seattle
1
Tet: Vietnamese Lunar New Year @ Seattle Center
📅 Saturday, February 3rd + Sunday, February 4th, 2024
📍 Seattle Center Armory and Fischer Pavilion: 305 Harrison St, Seattle
⏰ 11 am – 6 pm
💻 More information here
What to know:
- Tết, short for Tết Nguyên Đán, which translates to “Festival of the First Day of the Year,” is a Vietnamese holiday that celebrates just that. It’s one of the most important holidays, as it not only welcomes the arrival of a much-needed spring but serves as hope for this year to be the best it can be.
- Admission is free both days, and the whole event is family-friendly.
- Expect lion dances, art exhibits, singers, and numerous local food vendors.
📸: Courtesy Bellevue Collection
2
Lunar New Year @ The Bellevue Collection
📅 Saturday, February 3rd, 2024
📍 The Bellevue Collection: 575 Bellevue Square, Bellevue
⏰ 11 am – 6 pm
💻 More information here
What to know:
- Enjoy a variety of cultural performances, including music, dance, and martial arts. Expect a Chinese Lion and Dragon Parade performed by a team of dancers.
- The Bellevue Collection is hosting this event in partnership with the Seattle Chinese Culture and Arts Association and The Overseas Community Affairs Council – Republic of China (Taiwan).
- Arts and crafts will be available for all, such as making dragon masks, Chinese painting, lucky hanging art, Chinese character coasters, and more.
- Check out the Bellevue Collection’s Lunar New Year Dining guide, which highlights must-try Asian cuisine like the Peking duck jianbing from Me + Crêpe or the kumquat ribs at Baron’s Sino Kitchen & Bar.
- Dragon-themed decor will fill the mall from January 16th to February 4th. Stop by to see traditional Chinese garments, paper lanterns, cherry blossoms, and a staged spot for pictures with cherry blossoms.
📸: Courtesy Wing Luke Museum
3
Wing Luke Lunar New Year Fair @ Wing Luke Museum
📅 Saturday, February 3rd, 2024
📍 Wing Luke Museum: 719 S King Street Seattle
⏰ 10 am – 3 pm
💻 More information here
What to know:
- This annual Lunar New Year Fair starts at 10 am with a free Lion Dance celebration put on by Mak Fai Kung Fu Dragon and Lion Dance Association.
- At 11 am, grab tickets (or online in advance) for all the festivities inside.
- Through the museum, find Year of the Dragon crafts, coloring sheets, and mandala collaborative dragon art.
- Attendees 12 and under can grab an activity passport for a chance to win one of the numerous raffles.
- All museum exhibits will be open, including the recent addition, New Year’s All Year Round: Theater, Dance & Sound, which explores the varied traditions observed by different cultures.
📸: Lucky Envelope Brewing
4
Lunar New Year Events @ Lucky Envelope Brewing
🎟 Lunar New Year Kick-Off Day
📅 Saturday, February 10th, 2024
⏰ 12 pm – 10 pm
📍 Lucky Envelope Brewing: 907 NW 50th St, Seattle
💻 More information here
What to know:
- Visit this Asian-owned, culturally inspired brewery in Ballard, which will hold numerous events to celebrate the Year of the Dragon.
- The brewery’s Lunar New Year Kickoff is on Saturday, February 10th, from 12 pm to 10 pm, with the release of four beers.
- Giveaways while supplies last.
- Panda Dim Sum Food Truck will offer dumplings and other tasty items from 3 pm to 8:30 pm.
- Check their site for more events happening throughout the month.
📸: Seattle’s Chinatown-International District
5
Lunar New Year Celebration @ Chinatown-International District
📅 Saturday, February 24th, 2024
⏰ 11 am – 4 pm
📍 Seattle’s Chinatown-International District: 423 Maynard Ave S, Seattle
💻 More information here
What to know:
- The annual celebration held in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District will take place on Saturday, February 24th.
- Vendors will line up along S King St, offering food, handmade crafts, and retail goods.
- Visit the main stage at Hing Hay Park to see dance and music performances.
- Go on the Lunar New Year Food Walk by collecting stamps from 5 of the 40+ participating CID businesses for a chance to win a prize basket.
- With over thousands of people RSVPing on Facebook, the streets will be busy. The lines will be long, AKA an excellent chance to make some friends.
More Lunar New Year Celebrations 🧧
– February 3rd @ Village of Totem Lake, Kirkland
– February 10th @ Edmonds, Sammamish, and Phinney Ridge
– February 24th @ Tacoma Dome and Shoreline
