Fun Ways to Celebrate Lunar New Year With Kids in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore

Posted Jan 18, 2019 Things to Do Holidays DC/MD/VA

Approximately 1.4 billion people around the world celebrate the Lunar New Year. The Lunar New Year is the first day of the traditional Chinese calendar and occurs sometime during the months of January and February, dependent on the cycles of the moon. For 2019, the new year officially begins on February 5th and will be known as the Year of the Pig. The pig is the twelfth animal of the Chinese zodiac and is considered a symbol of wealth and good fortune. We certainly like that news! Here's to everyone's good fortune this Lunar New Year!

Ring in the Year of the Pig with the whole gang! Experience the rich culture and traditions of the Lunar New Year with our list of family-friendly celebrations in the D.C. area.

Washington, D.C. Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade

Celebrate with the Washington Wizards at Captial One Arena, Washington, D.C.
On January 30th at 8 p.m., the hometown Wizards will take on the Indiana Pacers in the heart of Chinatown at the Capital One Arena. To honor the Chinese New Year, the Wizards will 'sport' special jerseys. 

Chinese New Year Family Celebration at the American Art Museum, Washington, D.C. - FREE
This annual celebration is coordinated by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Chinese Embassy and features Chinese artists performing traditional dance, music, acrobatics and opera music from the Guangdong province. See the handiwork of Chinese craftsmen, go on a scavenger hunt and create special new year's crafts. Specialty food available for purchase at the Courtyard Café. The Chinese New Year Family Celebration is on February 2nd from 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Tysons Corner Center's Lunar New Year Celebration, Tysons Corner, VA - FREE
Located on the lower level outside of Nordstrom in the Fashion Court, the Tysons Corner Center's Lunar New Year Celebration will usher in the Year of the Pig on February 2nd from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. with arts and crafts and dazzling cultural performances. 

12th Annual Chinese New Year Festival at Luther Jackson Middle School, Falls Church, VA - FREE
Celebrate the Year of the Pig at the Falls Church Annual Chinese New Year Festival on February 2nd from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. This free family celebration includes live performances, HAN costume fashion show, lion dances, a dragon parade, craft exhibition, kids activities, authentic cuisines (for purchase), and more!   

Fair Oaks Mall 16th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration, Fairfax, VA - FREE
Back for its 16th year, the Fair Oaks Mall's Annual Lunar New Year Celebration is a two-day event that will take place on Feb. 2nd and 3rd from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. The celebration includes dances and martial arts demonstrations from over 15 countries. Find the fun in Grand Court West. 

Fair Oaks Mall Annual Lunar New Year Celebration, Fairfax, VA

Chinese New Year 2019: Year of the Pig at Port Discovery, Baltimore, MD
Join Port Discovery on February 2nd from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. for their Chinese New Year 2019: Year of the Pig festivities. Learn and participate in the traditions of the Chinese New Year, watch the lion dancers, learn the art of calligraphy and chopsticks, learn about animals from the live petting zoo, and create festive art projects at this family-friendly celebration. This event is free with paid admission to the museum. Save up to 28% off a 16-month family membership to Port Discovery with this CertifiKID deal - pays for itself on your second visit!

Port Discovery Children's Museum Chinese New Year Celebration, Baltimore, MD.

Celebration: Lunar New Year at the S. Dillon Ripley Center, Washington, D.C. - FREE 
Discover the culture and arts of Asia at S. Dillon Ripley Center's fifth annual celebration of the Lunar New Year. Learn how the New Year is celebrated in Korea, China, Mongolia and Vietnam through interactive art demonstrations. Experience exhibits, acrobatics, music, and puppetry performances; learn to make a mooncake; create a Lunar New Year greeting card; and taste a variety of dishes from local chefs (available for purchase). Come out for the festivities on February 3rd from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Lunar New Year Pop Up Story Time at the Postal Museum, Washington, D.C. - FREE
Co-sponsored by the Asian Pacific American Center, Lunar New Year Pop Up Story Time is being held on the 2nd Floor Loft of the Postal Museum on February 5th from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Listen to a story about the Lunar New Year and make Year of the Pig greeting cards.

Chinese New Year Celebration at the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Annapolis, MD - FREE
This festival welcomes all ages and features interactive demonstrations, artists from China, acrobatics, dances, performances by Guangdong Arts Troupe, lion puppets, hands-on activities and a film screening. The Chinese New Year Celebration at the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts takes place on February 5th from 5:30 - 9 p.m.

Kennedy Center - Millennium Stage Lunar New Year Performances - FREE
Part of the Kennedy Center's 2019 Lunar New Year Celebration, check out these free Millennium Stage events celebrating Asian culture.

• February 7th at 6 p.m. -- Guangdong National Orchestra Ensemble - Chinese Folk Music featuring instruments such as the Pipa, Erhu, Daruan, Guzheng, Guangdong, Gaohu and more.
• February 8th at 6 p.m. -- Guangdong Arts Troupe program by award-winning artists from the Guangdong province featuring acrobatics, puppetry, theater, and dance. 

Kennedy Center's Chinese New Year Family Day, Washington, D.C. - FREE
Celebrate the Year of the Pig with the Kennedy Center's annual Chinese New Year Family Day on February 9th from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The schedule for this fun-filled day includes calligraphy and rose medallion painting demonstrations, face painting, lion dancing, marionette puppets, red lantern making, Lingnan puppets/contortionist shows, traditional Cantonese music demonstrations and more. All ages welcome. 

Washington, D.C. Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade by Edward Der Photography

Chinese New Year Parade and Festival, Washington D.C. - FREE
This year's D.C. Chinatown Parade promises to be the biggest and most diverse parade ever to ring in the Chinese Lunar New Year! Bring the family to experience traditional dragon and lion dances, Kung Fu demonstrations, live music, marching bands, a community talent show, and firecrackers. The parade is on February 10th at 2 p.m. and runs seven blocks. The route begins at 6th & I Street NW and ends at 6th & H Street NW. The firecracker finale is expected to be between 3:45 - 4 p.m. The best way to get to the parade is via the METRO, Gallery Place Chinatown exit.

Chinatown Lunar New Year Festival 2019 at the Chinatown Community Cultural Center, Washington D.C - FREE
Experience the traditions and cultures of the Lunar New Year right in the heart of D.C.'s Chinatown. The Lunar New Year Festival 2019 activities include dance performances, live music, face painting, Chinese calligraphy, lion dancing, photo exhibits, special guest performances by Wong People and Alice GuZheng Ensemble, Tai Chi and Kung Fu demonstrations and more. New Year souvenirs and Asian food specialties will also be available for purchase. The celebration takes place at the Chinatown Community Cultural Center on February 10th from 12:30 - 5 p.m. While in the area, check out the D.C. Chinese New Year Parade at 2 p.m. (listed above). Easy access from METRO Gallery Place Chinatown stop.

Lunar New Year Celebration, Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, MD by Walters Art Museum

Lunar New Year Celebration at the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, MD - FREE
Located in Baltimore's historic Mount Vernon Cultural District, the Walters Art Museum is celebrating the Lunar New Year with art activities and performances throughout the galleries of the Museum on February 10th from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

City of Rockville Lunar New Year Celebration at Richmond Montgomery High School, Rockville, MD

City of Rockville Lunar New Year Celebration at Richmond Montgomery High School, Rockville, MD - FREE
Organized in partnership with Rockville’s Asian Pacific American Task Force, the City of Rockville Lunar New Year Celebration provides an educational opportunity for the community about Asian culture through interactive activities, demonstrations and cultural performances. The festivities are scheduled for February 16th from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Check out Things to do in February with Kids in Washington, D.C. for more family-friendly fun this month!

Tags: Chinese Lunar New Year families kids fun activities celebrations

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