7 Lunar New Year Events in Northern Virginia

Celebrate the Year of the Horse at these performances and parties.

By Kate Oczypok • Posted February 2, 2026 at 7:00 a.m.

Courtesy Art Elevation Collective

Lunar New Year is February 17 this year, and celebrations will last 16 days. Chinese New Year marks the change between zodiac signs with 2026 marking the Year of the Horse. Below are seven Northern Virginia area activities to ring in the occasion.

Lunar New Year Story Time

February 13, 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

Join children’s clothing store Mon Chouchou for a storytime featuring children’s author Patricia Tanumihardja. Tanumihardja will be doing a book signing as well for her new book Monkey’s Sweet Surprise. The story is set in a world influenced by Southeast Asian zodiac traditions.

Lunar New Year Celebration at Reston Community Center

February 13, noon to 2 p.m.

Guests are welcome to kick off the Year of the Horse in Reston. The afternoon will feature food, activities, and chances to win prizes. The event will be held at the Hunters Woods location. 2310 Colts Neck Rd., Reston

17^th Annual Chinese New Year Festival

February 14, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Don’t miss the annual celebration that is sponsored by the Asian Community Service Center, a volunteer-based independent non-profit in the DC area. The organization hopes children can have the opportunity to experience aspects of Chinese tradition and culture that have been around for thousands of years. Expect to see stage performances, a dragon parade, Asian cuisine, a craft exhibit, and more. The festival is held at Luther Jackson Middle School. 3020 Gallows Rd., Falls Church

Lunar New Year dancers on stage in a circle with with pink fans — *Courtesy Asian Community Service Center*

Blooming Traditions: A Lunar New Year Showcase

February 15, 3 p.m.

A Lunar New Year performance will feature dance and music, along with cultural artistry, at Capital One Hall. The event will be in the Main Theater and is presented by Art Elevation Collective. 7750 Capital One Tower Rd., Tysons

Year of the Red Fire Horse Lunar New Year Celebration

February 18, 7 p.m.

The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company is hosting a New Chinese New Year show at McLean Community Center that will mix modern and traditional aspects. The performance will include dragon and lion dances as well as one created for this year’s Year of the Horse. The show has a runtime of 90 minutes. 1234 Ingleside Dr., McLean

Lunar New Year Celebration

February 21, 6 to 8 p.m.

This event at Twin Lakes Golf Course will include hands-on crafts and games, samples of Asian cuisine, live martial arts, dance, and music performances, and more. Registration is required and must be completed by February 19 at midnight. 6201 Union Mill Rd., Clifton

Lunar New Year Celebration

February 28, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Franklin Park Arts Center is hosting a Lunar New Year celebration to honor the Year of the Horse. Choy Wun Dance Troupe will be making an appearance, along with drumming and music demos and craft making. 36441 Blueridge View Ln., Purcellville

Feature image of Twin Lakes Golf Course event courtesy Art Elevation Collective

Kate Oczypok

Contributing Writer

Kate Oczypok has been a freelance writer since 2011, and is proud to be a regular contributor to Northern Virginia Magazine in digital and print since 2020. Her bylines have appeared in The New York Times, People.com, Better Homes and Gardens, and locally The Georgetowner and Washingtonian Magazine, among others. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Print Journalism from American University and a M.Ed. in Education from Penn State. She also teaches virtual piano lessons in the after school hours and does portrait photography on weekends.