Celebrate the Year of the Monkey 2016! Washington, DC celebrates the Chinese New Year with a Chinese New Year Parade, Chinese Dragon Dances, live musical performances, and more. The Chinese New Year is a 15-day event that starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The first day of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February. The celebration includes dedicating each year to a specific animal.
The Dragon, Horse, Monkey, Rat, Boar, Rabbit, Dog, Rooster, Ox, Tiger, Snake, and Goat are the twelve animals that are part of this tradition.
In 2016, on the Western calendar, the start of the New Year falls on February 8th and is The Year of the Monkey. During this important celebration in the Asian culture, it is traditional to wear red, meant to ward off evil spirits.Following is a guide to the 2016 Chinese New Year events in Northern Virginia and Washington ,DC.
In Northern Virginia
Lansdowne Resort - 44050 Woodridge Parkway, Leesburg, VA. Ring in the New Year with a live performance by The Monster Band in the spacious Resort Ballroom. Overnight packages are available and feature an open bar, dinner, midnight champagne toast and late night food presentation. Arlington Draft House - 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA. (703) 486-2345. 1980's themed New Years Eve celebration for just $15 per person. Must be 21 or over to enter.Watch the Times Square ball drop on the huge theater screen. Admission Fee covers DJ, entertainment and party favors only. All drinks and food must be purchased via table side waitstaff. Chinese New Year Festival - Falls Church 2016 Date to Be Announced, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, VA. The event, hosted by the Asian Community Service Center, offers performances from China, Korea, India, Thailand, Vietnam, among others including the beautiful Chinese sword dance; Dragon Parade, fashion show, Asian plant art, Asian foods, Chinese cooking demo, teaching of Chinese characters, crafts, kids activities and more. FREE Admission. Fair Oaks Mall Lunar New Year Celebration 2016 Dates to Be Announced, 1-5 p.m. Fair Oaks Mall, 11750 Fair Oaks, Fairfax, VA. Ceremonies, performances and exhibitions will be presented from each day, with most of the events centered in the Fair Oaks Mall Grand Court. Presented by the Washington Hai Hua Community Center, the event will feature traditional Chinese dragon dances; music and dance performances; martial arts demonstrations; children’s crafts; and a special lantern festival. More than 200 performers will participate in this year’s Lunar New Year festival, representing such countries and regions as China, Korea, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Mongolia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Polynesia and the 50th state of Hawaii. Chinese New Year at Leesburg Outlets 2016 Date to Be Announced, 1-3 p.m. Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets, 241 Fort Evans Road NE, Leesburg, VA. Enjoy complimentary face painting, food samples provided by Far East Asian Fire, children’s crafts and live entertainment. Attendees can view Tae Kwon Do demonstrations by ATA Elite Martial Arts and Leesburg Tiger Den Martial Arts.In Washington, DC
Chinese New Year Parade and Festival in Washington, DC
The 9th Annual Parade will be on Saturday/February 6, 2016 at 2-5 p.m.Chinatown - on H Street, NW, between 6th and 7th Streets. Each year a parade is held in Chinatown to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The event features the traditional Chinese Dragon Dance, Kung Fu demonstrations and live musical entertainment. The firecracker will be lit at 3:45 p.m. A good place to view the parade is along 7th St. The closest Metro station is Gallery Place/Chinatown. See photos of the Chinese New Year Parade.
Throughout the month of February, many restaurants in the Washington DC area offer specials in celebration of the Chinese New Year. Celebrate the “Year of the Goat” with special tasting menus. Happy New Year! May your
