Chinese New Year in Washington, D.C. 2025

Lunar New Year, a celebration known in China as “Spring Festival" The central Chinatown area in Washington, DC, is home to a beautiful friendship arch and lots of Asian food joints.

DC Chinese Lunar New Year Parade (February 2, 2025)

The annual Spring Festival features the vibrant Chinese New Year Parade, organized by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA). Highlights include dragon and lion dances, firecrackers, drummers, and entries such as Chinese folk dancers, kung fu groups, beauty queens, and floats. Participants include the Chinese Youth Club Lion Dance Troupe, Chinese Culture and Community Service Center Dragon Troupe, TECRO Chinese School Drum Team, and representations of the 12 Chinese Zodiac Animals.

The procession begins at 6th & I St and winds through Chinatown, ending at 6th & H St, NW. The parade lasts from 2 to 3 pm, but the area buzzes with activity, loud music, and firecrackers all day. The finale features a firecracker show on H Street. Arrive early to enjoy a meal at local restaurants before securing a spot to witness the vibrant celebration.

Kennedy Center Opera House Celebration (January 29– February 2, 2025)

The Opera House is hosting the National Ballet of China in a special performance for the Chinese New Year. This production is a ballet in two acts, blending the elegance of Western ballet with Chinese cultural themes. It tells the story of a family celebrating Chinese New Year, set to Tchaikovsky's iconic "Nutcracker" score. The performance features live accompaniment by the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra and the National Children’s Chorus of the United States. Tickets for the event start at $34.50, offering audiences a unique opportunity to experience this artistic fusion.

Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art

During the Spring Festival, Washington, D.C.'s museums and cultural institutions, including the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, offer a range of events to celebrate Chinese traditions, art, and history. In 2025, the museum will host a special Lunar New Year celebration starting on January 30, welcoming the Year of the Snake. Events will include educational webinars, guided tours, and a family-friendly festival.

Activities like the "Year of the Snake" webinars, aimed at different school grade levels, and a vibrant Lunar New Year Market at the Freer Gallery of Art will bring Chinese culture to life with food, crafts, and traditional performances such as lion dances. The festivities offer a fantastic opportunity to experience Chinese heritage through engaging programs for all ages.