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.
Chinese New Year Festival
On Jan. 25 from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Luther Jackson Middle School in Falls Church will play host to a party sponsored by the Asian Community Service Center. The celebration of Chinese culture will include dragon dances, fireworks, performances and food. Admission is $5/adult, $2/child ages 6-12 and free for littles 6 and younger. // 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church
Lunar New Year and Anime Party
This festival at Shipgarten from 1-6 p.m. Jan. 25 features games such as the Minute Jenga Tower Building Challenge and Candy Chopstick Challenge. Sip specialty cocktails made with Asian spirits and beers from China, Japan and Korea. Kids can enjoy face painting, a moon bounce and crafts. Admission is free. // 7581 Colshire Drive, McLean
Japanese New Year’s Festival
Hosted by Study Japanese in Arlington on Jan. 26 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at George Mason University’s Mason Square, this cultural celebration will invite participants to try their hand at calligraphy and origami, as well as a card game called Hyakunin Isshu karuta and traditional Japanese games such as Sugoroku and Shateki. Snacks will be sold at the food court. Tickets are $16 for attendees ages 7 and up, and are available for pre-sale only. // 3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington (Virginia Square)
Lunar New Year Celebration
The Rosslyn Business Improvement District will host a free, family-friendly event on Jan. 28 from 5-7 p.m., at Central Place Plaza featuring a lion dance performance by Hung Ci Lion Dance Troupe. The Asian American Chamber of Commerce will give out ceremonial tea and fortune cookies. // 1800 N. Lynn St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
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 traditional lion dance will take place at 5:30 p.m. // 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
Lunar New Year Flavors at Jake’s Ice Cream
This Falls Church ice cream parlor in Barcroft Plaza will be 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
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