Lunar New Year 2025 in Seattle

Seattle has been a home to a large Chinese community since the 1850s, so naturally, the Lunar New Year Celebration in the city has always been quite massive. There are various festivities held in Seattle on Lunar New Year's day and a few weeks later, so pick the one you like the most! Besides Chinese culture, you have a chance to experience Vietnamese customs during their version of the event.

Chinese New Year Traditions

Seattle's Chinatown looks festive, especially on New Year's Eve. Many families wear traditional clothes, and red lanterns are everywhere. Shopkeepers hand out red envelopes, and firecrackers fill the air with noise and smoke. The district is usually bustling with people, gathering to watch lion and dragon dances, live performances, and many other thrilling events.

Many restaurants in Chinatown feature special New Year’s menus with dumplings, long noodles, and whole fish because it is believed that eating these foods is supposed to bring luck and prosperity your way.

Lunar New Year at Wing Luke Museum (January 18, 2025)

The Wing Luke Museum in Chinatown always holds festive activities during the Chinese New Year celebrations, including lion dances, holiday-themed crafts, Chinese calligraphy workshops, scavenger hunts, and kids' activities. The event kicks off at 10 am and goes on until 3 pm, with the Lion Dance starting at 10 am outside at the front door and the Museum opening an hour later.

Lion dance performances are free to attend and begin at 10 am. Museum tickets are required to attend the fair from 11 am until 3 pm and cost $17 for adults, $15 for seniors over 62 years old, $7.50 for students from 13 to 18 years old or with ID, and $5 for children between 5 and 12 years old. Children under five can enter for free.

Lunar New Year in Seattle Chinatown-ID (February 22, 2025)

The annual Lunar New Year Celebration hosted by Seattle's Chinatown-International District usually takes place from 11 am to 4 pm at Hing Hay Park. This celebration showcases the richness of the Asian communities of Seattle. Asian food fans can try many Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Korean dishes or snacks from more than 40 food vendors. The festival on the Main Stage at Hing Hay Park features a diverse program with Japanese Taiko drumming, martial arts, traditional lion and dragon dances, and the costume contest & parade.

Seattle Chinese Garden Lantern Festival (February 8, 2025)

Every year, around the Lunar New Year, Seattle Chinese Garden hosts a vibrant Lantern Festival brimming with traditional red lanterns. The event features numerous cultural workshops and demonstrations, including tai chi, lion dances, riddles, and crafts. For those wanting to experience the Chinese tea ceremony, the garden holds a tea tasting, while storytime sessions tell a story of the Lunar New Year. The event usually spans from 11 am until 3 pm. Although admission is normally free, a donation of $6 is always welcome. Paid parking is available near the venue.

Tết Festival at Seattle Center (January 25-26, 2025)

The organization Tết in Seattle annually hosts a one-of-a-kind Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration, cherishing the best of Vietnamese cultural heritage. Held in the Seattle Center Armory & Fisher Pavilion, the annual festivities include lion dances, tons of vendors offering food, Lunar New Year souvenirs, decorations, and much more. The performances of dance groups, ensembles, and local performers are a definite highlight of the entire festival. The event is completely free to attend and unfolds from 11 am until 6 pm on both days.