Lunar New Year starts on Feb. 10 this year, kicking off a 15-day spring festival to bring good fortune in the Year of the Dragon. And if you can’t make it to China to celebrate, try one of the many options in our backyard.
Family Storytime and Dragon Crafts at Potomac Library
From 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 10, the Potomac Library (10101 Glenolden Drive, Potomac) will hold two events to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The first, at 10:30 a.m., is a bilingual family story time open to all ages. Stories and songs will be shared in Chinese and English, and families can take part in a Chinese New Year dance. At 11 a.m., anyone age 3 and older is invited to join the library in two dragon-themed crafts.
Westfield Montgomery Lunar New Year Celebration
In partnership with the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center, Westfield Montgomery (7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda) is hosting a Lunar New Year Celebration beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 10. The festivities will start with a parade and drumming through the mall’s center. The afternoon will also include the dragon lion and traditional dances to bring good fortune in the new year, live performances, a selfie photo station and crafts (such as fan making and paper-folding). There will also be a surprise giveaway; families who RSVP and check-in will receive a red envelope with surprises inside to welcome prosperity and luck.
City of Rockville Lunar New Year
From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 17 the City of Rockville will hold its 16th annual Lunar New Year event at Rockville High School (2100 Baltimore Road, Rockville), in partnership with Rockville’s Asian Pacific American Task Force. Live multicultural performances will start at 10:30 a.m. and include the Lotus Dance Group, DC Beauty of Beijing Opera, Spring Blossom Performing Arts Group of Greater Washington, and other dancing, drumming, martial arts and musical performances. Admission is free, and attendees can also expect community exhibits, snack boxes and craft bag distributions.
Join the Rockville Sister Cities Corporation on Saturday, Feb. 17 for an Asian Lantern Festival from 1to 4 p.m. at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre (603 Edmonston Drive, Rockville). The event will feature a Neon Gods Dance, a magic show, interactive puppet show, character paper cutting, a photo booth and more activities. The event is held in partnership with the WQER 96.7 FM Rockville ratio station, the Asian American Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese Culture Institute. The event is free.