The Lunar New Year is more than the start of a new year for the over two billion people who celebrate the occasion—it’s a time to honor tradition, reconnect with loved ones, and partake in cultural festivities. 2025 is the Year of the Snake, a symbol of introspection, adaptability, and transformation, which means it’s time to shed the past year and slither into a new season.
Seattle’s Lunar New Year events showcase the many East Asian communities that observe the holiday. Watch lion dancers twist and turn to bring good fortune while feasting on symbolic dishes like dumplings, which represent wealth. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly events with activities for little ones or want to learn more about the cultural significance of the holiday, there is no shortage of options.
This guide highlights must-see events, dining options, and traditions that make Lunar New Year unforgettable. Festivities run from January through February, and events are listed by date.
Lunar New Year Fair @ Wing Luke Museum
📅 Saturday, January 18th, 2025
📍 Wing Luke Museum: 719 S King St, Seattle (Chinatown-International District)
💰 Adult $17 | Senior $15 | Student $7.50 | Youth $5
💡 Pro tip: Reserve your entry time online in advance.
Visit Wing Luke to double your Lunar New Year fun. In addition to the day’s activities, explore the museum’s current exhibits. A Zodiac animal scavenger hunt, lion dances, and calligraphy are some of the many family-friendly activities on the schedule. Stop by the “New Year’s All Year Round: Food, Family, and Fun” exhibit to see how different Asian cultures observe the holiday.
Tet @ Seattle Center
📅 Saturday, January 25th – Sunday, January 26th, 2025
📍 Seattle Center Armory: 305 Harrison St, Seattle (Lower Queen Anne)
💰 Free, all-ages
💡 Pro tip: Come hungry—the food vendors are a highlight of this event.
Kick off Lunar New Year at Tết in Seattle, the biggest celebration of Vietnamese culture in the city. Enjoy two days of lion dances, interactive activities, and vibrant cultural performances while savoring Vietnamese food from local vendors. This family-oriented event has hands-on activities for kids, like crafting and a kid’s fashion show!
Where to Shop + Dine 🛍️
Markets + Shopping
Stock up on Lunar New Year essentials like rice cakes, oranges, and decorations at:
🐍 Uwajimaya (Seattle, Renton, Bellevue)
🐍 H-Mart (Lynnwood & Federal Way)
🐍 T & T Supermarket (Bellevue)
🐍 Ranch 99 (Tukwila)
Restaurants
Celebrate with traditional feasts at:
🐍 Din Tai Fung (Bellevue, Downtown Seattle, Pacific Place, U Village)
🐍 Jade Garden (CID)
🐍 Ba Bar (Capitol Hill, South Lake Union, U Village)
Lunar New Year Celebration @ The Bellevue Collection
📅 Saturday, January 25th, 2025
📍 The Bellevue Collection: 575 Bellevue Square, Bellevue
💰 Free, all-ages
💡 Pro tips: Park in the Red or Blue garage for easiest mall access. Stop at the Lunar New Year Pop Spot in Center Court for cute photo ops.
Year of the Snake decor will fill Bellevue Square with a special event on January 25th featuring music, dance, and visual arts displays. Enjoy snake-themed arts and crafts and giveaways! This is also a perfect time to visit one of the many AAPI-owned eateries like Thai Kitchen Bird Pepper.
PhinneyWood Lunar New Year @ Phinney Center
📅 Saturday, February 8th, 2025
📍 Phinney Center: 6532 Phinney Ave N, Seattle (Phinney Ridge)
💰 Free entry, some activities require fee ($5 for lantern making), all-ages
💡 Pro tips: Bring cash for red envelopes to feed to the lion as it dances. Limited street parking—consider taking the 5 bus.
For the third year, PhinneyWood is hosting a celebration to welcome the year of the snake! LQ Lion Dance will perform at 2 and 3 pm. A shuttle will run between the Blue & Brick buildings, with activities including free arts and crafts, a bake sale, and a market featuring local Asian businesses. Food trucks will fill the parking lot.
Cultural Etiquette + Tips 🌙
👗 Wear new clothes to symbolize a new beginning
🥟 Share symbolic foods like dumplings and fish for abundance
🟥 Decorate and dress in the color red to bring luck and prosperity
🧧 Give red envelopes (hóngbāo) filled with money to friends & family
Lunar New Year Night Market @ Magnuson Park Hangar 30
📅 Saturday, February 8th, 2025
📍 Magnuson Park Hangar 30: 6310 NE 74th St, Seattle (Sand Point)
💰 $15-$25, 21+
💡 Pro tips: Limited cell service inside—set a meet-up spot with friends. Buy tickets early—prices increase by $5 day-of. Dress warmly, the hangar can get chilly.
The Night Market offers a grown-up entrance into the year of the snake. A dance party in Hangar 30 features food trucks and a DRUNKEN LION DANCE! Grab a Boozy Boba and a Korean Corn Dog then stroll through the over 40 AAPI-owned vendors in a pop-up market perfect for Valentine’s Day shopping. VIP tickets include a limited edition Lunar New Year tote bag and two premium cocktails.
Lunar New Year @ Chinatown-International District
📅 Saturday, February 22nd, 2025
📍 Hing Hay Park: 423 Maynard Ave S, Seattle (Chinatown-International District)
💰 Free, all-ages
💡 Pro tips: Take light rail to International District station to avoid parking. Bring cash for street vendors and smaller businesses. Come early to catch the morning lion dance performances.
The CID’s yearly event is an essential Lunar New Year staple. This family and pet-friendly event features a packed day of community excitement. Asian-owned vendors will line South King Street with goodies for those looking to spend. The main stage at Hing Hay Park will showcase martial arts demos, traditional dances, and cultural performances. Cultural exhibits and kid-friendly activities fill the neighborhood, and this is the perfect time to check out the CID Food Walk!
More Lunar New Year Festivities 🧨
Looking for more ways to honor the Year of the Snake? Check out these additional events around the region:
🐍 Seattle Asian Art Museum (Capitol Hill)
🐍 Museum of Flight (Boeing Field)
🐍 Seattle Chinese Garden (West Seattle)
🐍 CWU Sammamish (Sammamish)
🐍 Renton Highlands Library (Renton)
🐍 Seattle Symphony (Downtown)
