The year of the Fire Horse \u2014 known for bringing intense, dynamic times of rapid, transformative change \u2014 is about to begin. Celebrated as T\u1ebft in Vietnam, Seollal in Korea and Spring Festival in China, the exact date of the new year shifts each year because it’s based on the lunisolar calendar. This time, Lunar New Year lands on Feb. 17. But local celebration dates vary, with one of our largest local events, T\u1ebft in Seattle, taking place this weekend, and others continuing into March.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
T\u1ebft in Seattle \u2014 Feb. 14-15<\/h2>\n
This year marks the 30th<\/sup> anniversary of T\u1ebft in Seattle \u2014 one of 25 cultural festivals hosted at Seattle Center through the Fest\u00e1l program, and one of the largest T\u1ebft events in the Pacific Northwest. Spread across the Armory and Fisher Pavilion, T\u1ebft in Seattle welcomes the new year in a free, all-ages celebration of Vietnamese culture with the theme \u201cSteadfast Warmth\u201d in honor of the Fire Horse. Live entertainment throughout the weekend will include lion dances and an \u00e1o d\u00e0i fashion show, with headlining performances by renowned Vietnamese singers H\u1ed3 L\u1ec7 Thu at 5 p.m. Saturday and the duo Tr\u00fac Linh & Tr\u00fac Lam at 3:45 p.m. Sunday. An all-ages health fair offers vaccines, vision screenings and more. There will be a food passport for the wide selection of Vietnamese dishes offered by local vendors; kids and adults\u2019 eating competitions; and a festive b\u00e1nh t\u1ebft (sticky rice cake) wrapping competition. A community art gallery will explore the theme with works by local artists and a kids\u2019 T\u1ebft zone keeps young visitors busy with hands-on activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n 11 a.m.-6 p.m. both days; Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., Seattle; tetinseattle.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n With the theme \u201cCelebrate Tradition in Motion,\u201d the Westfield Southcenter mall will celebrate Lunar New Year with lion dances and live musical and martial arts performances, photo sessions with performers, a wishing tree dedication and red envelopes.\u00a0<\/p>\n 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Westfield Southcenter, 2800 Southcenter Mall, Seattle; st.news\/lunar-southcenter<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Seattle Asian Art Museum\u2019s family-focused festival features story time with artist Julie Kim (11 a.m.), and lion dances from Mak Fai Kung Fu Dragon & Lion Dance Association (noon) and Lieu Quan Lion Dance (1 p.m.). Throughout the day, guests can contribute to a community horse sculpture designed by local artist Monyee Chau and pose for pictures in the photo booth. There will also be dumplings, edamame and beverages available for purchase, but families are welcome to bring their own snacks.\u00a0<\/p>\n 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Seattle Asian Art Museum, 1400 E. Prospect St., Seattle; free with museum admission, suggested $14.99 for adults and free for 14 and younger; st.news\/lunar-family-festival<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Phinney Neighborhood Association\u2019s 2026 Lunar New Year celebration includes free arts and crafts, paper lantern decorating ($5), LQ Lion Dancers, a bake sale, food trucks and a marketplace of local Asian businesses and makers. A shuttle van between the buildings will be available throughout the event.<\/p>\n Noon-4 p.m.; Phinney Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle; free to enter, fee for some activities; st.news\/lunar-pna<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Lunar New Year decorations go up in Bellevue Square on Feb. 17, with lucky envelopes from guest services in the Center Court, pop-up and augmented-reality photo ops, and an interactive screen featuring traditions from Chinese New Year, T\u1ebft and Korean Seollal. The celebration on Feb. 21 will feature traditional and contemporary demonstrations of martial arts, music, dance and visual arts. Attendees at the free event can also participate in arts and craft activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; 575 Bellevue Square, Bellevue;<\/em> bellevuecollection.com\/lunarnewyear<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n The free downtown celebration features three lion dance performances. The Mak Fai lion dancers will perform hourly starting at Pioneer Park at 1 p.m., moving to First Avenue and Pike Street, and finishing at Bell Street Park. Besides the performances at the top of each hour, the First and Pike stop will offer red envelope giveaways and treats from Bloom Coffee.<\/p>\n 1-3:30 p.m.; downtown Seattle; st.news\/downtown-seattle<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n The Lincoln District Lunar New Year Festival transforms the Tacoma Sunday Market with lion dances, firecrackers, food, shopping, music and kids\u2019 activities. Attendees are also encouraged to shop from local businesses and restaurants in the district, which is known as a hub for Asian culture and tradition.\u00a0<\/p>\n 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; 3801 S. Yakima St., Tacoma; st.news\/lunar-lincoln-district<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n The City of Kirkland\u2019s annual free, all-ages Lunar New Year celebration includes food, crafts and performances. Activities will be held in the Peter Kirk Community Center, while live entertainment takes place next door at the Kirkland Teen Union Building.<\/p>\n 2-4 p.m.; Kirkland Teen Union Building, 348 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland; st.news\/lunar-kirkland<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n From Feb. 15 until the celebration on the 28th<\/sup>, shoppers can fill Red Envelope Walk cards by finding \u201clucky horses\u201d hidden in downtown Edmonds businesses (get 12 stamps to win a prize). On the 28th<\/sup>, attend a free theater program at the Edmonds Center for the Arts with performances by the Mak Fai Kung Fu Dragon & Lion Dance Association, the Massive Monkees hip-hop group and others. New this year, the ECA gym will be filled with family activities. Meanwhile, at Fifth Avenue North and Bell Street there will be a new year\u2019s market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.<\/p>\n 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 Fourth Ave. N., Edmonds; lunarnewyearedmonds.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n The Chinatown International District Lunar New Year Celebration is Seattle\u2019s largest, with a main stage in Hing Hay Park for lion dancers, martial artists and other cultural performances. Vendors will line South King Street, and more than 40 local businesses will participate in the food walk, offering dishes from a variety of Asian cuisines. Scattered throughout the free event, families will find all-ages activities, arts and crafts, and cultural exhibits.<\/p>\n 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Hing Hay Park, 423 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle; st.news\/lunar-cid<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n The Chinese Spring Festival begins with the new year and lasts two weeks, culminating with the Lantern Festival. This year, families can celebrate Lantern Festival at Seattle Chinese Garden, where the traditional landscape of the 4.6-acre garden provides a peaceful counterpoint to the excitement of an event filled with family-friendly activities, crafts and performances. Check online for updated details as the event gets closer.<\/p>\nLunar New Year at Westfield Southcenter \u2014 Feb. 14<\/h2>\n
Lunar New Year Family Festival \u2014 Feb. 21<\/h2>\n
PNA Lunar New Year Celebration \u2014 Feb. 21<\/h2>\n
Lunar New Year Celebration at The Bellevue Collection \u2014 Feb. 21<\/h2>\n
Downtown Seattle Association Lunar New Year Celebration \u2014 Feb. 22<\/h2>\n
Lincoln District Lunar New Year Festival \u2014 Feb. 22<\/h2>\n
City of Kirkland Lunar New Year Celebration \u2014 Feb. 28<\/h2>\n
Lunar New Year Edmonds \u2014 Feb. 28<\/h2>\n
CIDBIA\u2019s Lunar New Year Celebration \u2014 March 7<\/h2>\n
Chinese New Year Lantern Festival Celebration \u2014 March 7<\/h2>\n