Lunar New Year 2023: Ways to celebrate in the DC region – WTOP News

The Lunar New 12 months, or Spring Competition, is without doubt one of the most necessary and most celebrated holidays in China and plenty of components of Asia — and the D.C. area can be celebrating it in some ways.

Penny Lee, public relations officer for the Chinese language Consolidated Benevolent Affiliation of Washington, D.C. (CCBA), in contrast the Lunar New 12 months vacation to one thing much like Thanksgiving in America.

“Households get collectively and have a good time at house in addition to with kinfolk,” she stated. “Whether or not or not individuals are superstitious, we consider that it’s a transition interval. We go away the previous behind us, and we stay up for a brand new yr that may carry us higher issues than we had the earlier yr,” akin to well being, luck, wealth and prosperity.

Haisheng Zhao, minister-counselor for Cultural Affairs of the Chinese language Embassy of america stated, “In fact, it’s additionally a time to get pleasure from good meals and have numerous enjoyable, and additionally it is the busiest journey season within the yr. We’re speaking about a whole bunch of tens of millions of Chinese language individuals touring.”

The normal lion and dragon dances which might be usually in Lunar New 12 months celebrations are sometimes jubilant and cacophonous as a result of “the noise scares away evil spirits and all of the unhealthy luck,” stated Lee, who added that firecrackers are additionally used for a similar objective.

Parade returns

Organized by the CCBA, in partnership with the Mayor’s Workplace on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs, the annual Lunar New 12 months Parade on Sunday, Jan. 22, will fill the streets of D.C.’s Chinatown neighborhood with conventional drum performances, lion and dragon dance performances, in addition to a firecracker finale.

The occasion will begin at 2 p.m., working from sixth and I Road NW to sixth and H Road NW.

“Rain or shine or snow, we’ve had this parade,” stated Lee, although the parade was canceled the final two years and hasn’t been hosted since January of 2020. “This yr, we’re again, so we’re very completely happy to have the ability to carry this parade again to the road of Chinatown, and hopefully, it will likely be a festive one for everybody.”

Two native highschool bands will be part of the celebrations: Excel Academy Women Drum Workforce and the Ballou Excessive College Marching Band. Additionally collaborating are the U.S. Naval Academy, the Xiaolin Temple Kung Fu College and different neighborhood, group and household associations.

Throughout the parade route, Lee recommends standing alongside eighth Road the place there are fewer crowds, however nonetheless nice views. Discover a map of the parade route under.

Different methods to have a good time

The Smithsonian American Artwork Museum on G Road in downtown D.C., will ring within the Lunar New 12 months on the museum’s first ground on the Kogod Courtyard. On Jan. 28 from 11:30 a.m. to three p.m., the museum’s in-person festivities will embrace performances, crafts, meals and extra. The occasion is free, however registration is inspired on Eventbrite.

The Metropolis of Rockville will have a good time the Lunar New 12 months on Jan. 28 with a free occasion at Thomas S. Wootton Excessive College that may characteristic performances organized in partnership with Rockville’s Asian Pacific American Job Drive. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the occasion may even embrace “to-go actions” and snacks.

In Virginia’s Tysons Nook Heart shopping center, the Asian American Chamber of Commerce is internet hosting a number of organizations on Jan. 28. The Choy Wun Dance Troupe will carry out a lion dance; Solar Magic will current a magic present; and the Chinese language Tradition Institute will characteristic a dragon dance. The occasion can be from 1 p.m. to three p.m.

The Choy Wun Dance Troupe can also be internet hosting a number of different performances, together with at Eden Heart in Annandale, Virginia, on Jan. 22 at 12 p.m., The Block meals corridor and bar in Annandale, Virginia, on Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m. and the Chinese language Road Market at Union Market on Jan. 21 at 2 p.m.

Within the first Lunar New 12 months celebration in Virginia’s Outdated City Alexandria, there may even be a number of reside cultural performances and family-friendly actions like face portray and a “neighborhood exhibit.” This occasion at 227 South Washington Road will run from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 21.

Beginning at midday on Jan. 21, the Smithsonian Nationwide Museum of Asian Artwork will host “Journey of Shade: Lunar New 12 months Tour,” which can have curators Package Brooks and Jan Stuart instructing in regards to the museum’s array of cultural objects and colours. The museum has a number of different Lunar New 12 months occasions and actions occurring within the coming days, too.

Zhao additionally advisable the upcoming Jan. 21 Washington Wizards recreation at Capital One Enviornment in opposition to Orlando Magic, which can host numerous celebratory actions.

If enthusiastic about celebrating the Lunar New 12 months by satisfying your candy tooth, D.C.-founded ice cream store, Ice Cream Jubilee, is providing an ice cream flight that’s targeted on Asian-inspired flavors with 5 “mini-scoops” of Pink Bean Almond Cookie, Roasted Barley Tea, Miso Caramel & Peanut Butter Cookies, Dan Tat brûlée and Pear Plum Wine Sorbet.

A couple of native bakeries which might be providing Lunar New 12 months specials embrace Toimoi Bakery and Rose Ave. Bakery. Toimoi Bakery is providing a number of treats, akin to purple bean egg tart and Lao Gan Ma chili twist, at FRESHFARM Market in Arlington, Virginia, on Saturday and the Mosaic District in Fairfax, Virginia, on Sunday.

For D.C.-based bakery Rose Ave Bakery’s walk-in menu, there are a number of kinds of baked items supplied, however one of many Lunar New 12 months specials is the caramelized kouign amann with pandan sticky rice and Thai banana filling.