Though its official dates vary across different Asian cultures, the Lunar New Year is a celebration of the start of spring and a new year on the lunisolar calendar.
2024 is the Year of the Dragon, an animal representing confidence, strength, and opportunity. However, some cultures have switched out the dragon for a naga.
Expect plenty of lion dances, firecrackers, gifts of money in red envelopes, and other festivities around the Seattle area in the coming weeks. Here are just a few Lunar New Year events to check out .
- Wing Luke Museum’s Lunar New Year Fair | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Wing Luke Museum | $10-$17 | Enjoy lion dances, ceramics classes, crafts, snacks, raffles, and calligraphy courses.
- Bellevue Lunar New Year Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Bellevue Collection | Free | Festivities include live performances, craft making, and photo pop-ups.
- Tet in Seattle | Saturday, Feb. 3-Sunday, Feb. 4 | Various times | Seattle Center | Free | As a part of the Seattle Center’s Festal series, this big event celebrates Vietnamese culture with opera performances, live dancers, fashion shows, music, and eating competitions.
- Lunar New Year Night Market | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 4-10 p.m. | Magnuson Park Hangar 30 | $15-$25 | This 21+ market will showcase local AAPI-owned businesses, lion dance performances, and a dance party.
- Lunar New Year Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Westfield Southcenter | Free | Wander around the transformed mall space that features a 25-foot dragon, a wishing tree, and cherry trees, before enjoying the live lion dance performances and calligraphy demos.
- Chinatown-International District’s Lunar New Year Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 24 | 11-4 p.m. | Chinatown-International District | Free | One of Seattle’s biggest events will include a food walk featuring local businesses, lots of vendors, and performances.