Dragon-themed parades, lion dances and feasts are Lunar New Year tradition. This year’s festivities usher in the Year of the Snake, an animal the Chinese zodiac associates with wisdom, charm, elegance and transformation, according to the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Washington, D.C. Here’s a list of events marking the occasion in and around Arlington.
East Asian Films at Angelika Film Center & Cafe
Immerse yourself in Asian culture through film with showings of Creation of the Gods 2: Demon Force on Jan. 31, The Priest 2: Dark Nuns on Feb. 7, Ne Zha 2 on Feb. 14 and Operation Hadal on Feb. 28. // 2911 District Ave., Fairfax
Lunar New Year Conservatory at MGM National Harbor
The massive space at the National Harbor hotel and casino pulls out all the stops for its 2025 Lunar New Year display. Be wowed by a 28-foot-long snake, 30-foot-tall bonsai tree, two jade rock fountains and a money tree with 260 gold coins. // 101 MGM National Ave., Oxon Hill, Maryland
Lunar New Year Party at Upside on Moore
Rosslyn’s giant food hall will ring in the Year of the Snake on Feb. 1 from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Stop by for a free yoga class at 9:30 a.m., Chinese fusion dishes and the kickoff of an all-day happy hour at 11 a.m. A Night Market runs from 5-9 p.m. with wares from local and Asian artists, and a traditional lion dance will take place at 5:30 p.m. Bonus: The food hall will welcome Little Tiger Dumplings on Feb. 1. From the team behind Clarendon’s Tiger Dumplings, this offshoot will have a menu that mixed northern Chinese and American favorites, such as dan dan noodles and six kinds of dumplings. // 1700 N. Moore St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Lunar New Year Festival at CommuniKids Language Immersion School
The Falls Church preschool will host a free celebration Feb. 1 and 2 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. for kiddos 7 and under. The free event includes dragon dancers, martial arts performances, Asian food, and arts and crafts. An RSVP is required. // 115 Hillwood Ave., Falls Church
Lunar New Year Celebration at Tysons Corner Center
Head to the mall to ring in the new year Feb. 1 from 1-3 p.m. with entertainment including a lion dance; performances on a guzheng (a Chinese string instrument); Chinese, Indonesian and Tibetan dances; and a fashion show. You’ll find the fun near Wasabi Sushi on the mall’s lower level. // 1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
Lunar New Year at Long Branch Nature Center
Long Branch Nature Center will host a kid-friendly event on Feb. 1 from 3-4:30 p.m. with live animals, Lunar New Year crafts and a short hike to set off paper popper “firecrackers” to chase away Nian, a new year’s beast in Chinese mythology. Registration is required and costs $9. // 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington (Glencarlyn)
Chinese Lunar New Year Parade
Head into D.C. on Feb. 2 at 2 p.m. to watch the annual parade celebrating the Year of the Snake. Along the route, which starts at 6th and Eye streets, N.W. and ends at 6th and H, expect to be wowed by traditional Chinese lion dragon dance troupes and performances by local high school bands. The parade will last about 50 minutes with a firecracker finale between 3:45-4 p.m. Opting to take the Metro? Get out at the Gallery Place stop.
Rosslyn Trike: Lunar New Year Giveaway
Find the Rosslyn BID Trike at Central Place Plaza starting at noon on Feb. 5 to get free neighborhood-themed fortune cookies while supplies last. // 1800 N. Lynn St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
2025 Lunar New Year Celebration at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City
On Feb. 8 from noon-4 p.m., the mall will host live entertainment, including lion dances, a dragon parade, and musical and dance performances, plus photo ops and other festive activities in the lower-level Dining Pavilion. // 1100 S. Hayes St., Arlington
Ice Cream Jubilee Lunar New Year Scoops
Starting today, get a scoop of traditional Asian flavors in a cup or cone at any of the ice cream shop’s five area locations, including in Ballston. Options include Red Bean Almond Cookie, Strawberry Matcha Latte, Mango Sticky Rice and Thai Iced Tea. Can’t pick just one? Get the $10 tasting flight. // 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Lunar New Year Flavors at Jake’s Ice Cream
This Falls Church ice cream parlor in Barcroft Plaza is now scooping several flavors with Asian flair though Jan. 31. They include Vietnamese iced coffee, matcha, ube, ginger, adzuki (red bean) and almond cookie. Check the website to see what’s in stock each day. // 6353 Columbia Pike, Falls Church
Mala Tang’s Lunar New Year Menu
Known for its dishes made with mala, a spicy and numbing Sichuan peppercorn seasoning, this Virginia Square spot is offering a special Lunar New Year menu. It includes braised pork meatballs with dried mushrooms and Napa cabbage and the Triple Delight with house-made fishballs. The menu is available through Feb. 12. // 3434 Washington Blvd., Arlington (Virginia Square)
Lunar New Year at Chiko
From Jan. 29-Feb. 3, six chefs will curate a festive foods each day. For instance, on Jan. 29, get Year of the Snake dumplings, stuffed with spicy pork and shrimp. The next night, try the whole fried fish with citrus soy dipping sauce. Other dishes include the Dynamite Shrimp Spring Roll and Longevity Noodles. On Feb. 1 and 2, check out the tea service at 1 or 3 p.m. // 4040 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Lunar New Year Specials at NiHao
Chef Peter Chang’s Sichuan small plates place in Arlington will serve several a la carte specials Jan. 17-Feb. 12. They include a recipe from his childhood for sliced sausages in addition to Steamed Crystal Shrimp Dumplings, Lion’s Head Meatballs, Whole Branzino (served spicy and pan-seared or sweet-and-sour), Deluxe Seafood Mushroom Fried Rice with Peter’s Mushroom XO Sauce, Shanghai-Style Rice Cake with Fish Slices, and Black Sesame Rice Dumplings for dessert. // 1550 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
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Lunar New Year at Chasin’ Tails and Nue
The jointly owned restaurants are going all out to celebrate the new year through Feb. 13. At Nue, a special menu includes “Abundance” Hamachi Crudo, “Golden” Crisp Pork Belly, “Longevity” Noodles with Salt and Pepper King Prawns and “Blossoming” Pavlova. Many of the a la carte items are featured in a family-style dinner that feeds four for $325. Both eateries are participating in the tradition of gifting red “li xi” envelopes filled with lucky money. Lucky winners will win prizes such as an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Vietnam or Las Vegas, or yearlong gift card packages from the restaurants. To qualify, spend at least $200 on your dine-in order. // 944 W. Broad St., Falls Church