The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art has announced its 2024 family festival commemorating Lunar New Year, a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. The event takes place Feb. 3, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
This year’s Lunar New Year festival will celebrate the year of the dragon. It will consist of performances, talks, tours, hands-on activities and more. The full schedule is available online. The museum also offers many resources to learn about Lunar New Year on its website such as virtual tours of related collections, lesson plans and webinars.
About Lunar New Year
Commonly known as the Spring Festival in China, Lunar New Year is a 15-day celebration marked by many traditions. The Lunar New Year’s Eve reunion dinner is the highlight that kicks off the holiday, a feast with a spread of symbolic dishes, such as a whole fish representing abundance, that bring good luck and fortune. The 15th and final day of the holiday is the Lantern Festival, during which people have tangyuan, or sweet glutinous rice balls, and children carry lanterns around the neighborhood at night to mark the end of the celebration.
In the Chinese zodiac, 2024 is the year of the dragon. Different regions across Asia celebrate Lunar New Year in many ways and may follow a different zodiac. Many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders do not observe the Chinese/lunar zodiac.
The longest-running winter warehouse sale returns for its 20th year in a walkable format throughout Old Town Alexandria in February. The 20th Annual Alexandria Boutique Warehouse Sale presented by Old Town Business returns February 3-4, 2024.
With sales up to 80% off, shoppers are expected to score the best deals of the winter season with nearly 50 independent boutiques to choose from. Steals and deals from Alexandria and regional boutiques will take place in stores, pop-up tents, select side streets, and open retail spaces for shoppers to explore and enjoy the best retailers ranging from indie brands, clothing, shoes, and jewelry, to home furnishings, and more.
Participating shoppers can access a downloaded sale map and plot out their shopping plans for their favorite spots to visit. QR code stations will be stationed at participating businesses and tents to help locate shopping destinations as well.
Shoppers can all get a jump start on the weekend festivities by participating in giveaways by following @alxwarehousesale on Instagram for a chance to win gift cards to a local restaurant and/or a participating store.
2024 Alexandria Warehouse Sale Participants (as of January 16, 2024)
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3 Sisters
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529 Kids Consign
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Bashford & Pitt (pop-up)
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Bishop Boutique
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Bloomers
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Boxwood
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Comfort One Shoes
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Fibre space
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Frances Valentine
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Gossypia
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Gold Works
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Gossip on 23rd (pop-up)
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Hooray for Books
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King’s Jewelers
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Lotus Blooms
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Ms. Moxie’s Moon Shop
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Made in ALX (pop-up)
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Mint Condition
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Monday’s Child
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Monkees of Fairfax (pop-up)
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Mystique Jewelers
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Old Town Books
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Pacers Running
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Penny Post
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Red Barn Mercantile
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Sara Campbell
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Saya Behnam Art Shop
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She’s Unique
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Shop Made in VA
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Sophie Blake (pop-up)
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Ten Thousand Villages
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The Enchanted Florist
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The Genius Genus
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The Hive
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The Hour
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The Lucky Knot
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The Old Town Shop
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The Pink Reef (pop-up)
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The Shoe Hive
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Today’s Cargo
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Torpedo Factory Art Center
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Twist Boutique
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Versailles Art & Rug
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VIDA STYLE Shop
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Vintage Mirage
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Wear Ever Jewelry
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Yellow Jacket
Gals, gather all your girls for a Galentine’s celebration at Punch Bowl Social, which is hosting a game night complete with cute swag, Instagrammable cocktails and a live DJ – female, of course – to keep the party going on Friday, Feb. 9.
For your $15 ticket, you’ll get a friendship bracelet, heart-shaped sunglasses reminiscent of Taylor Swift’s video for “22,” and your choice of board games. Don’t miss out on the pink punch and cocktails. Select locations* will have pop-up vendors and an influencer host.
EVENT DETAILS
What: Galentine’s Day at Punch Bowl Social
When: 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9
Cost: Tickets $15, register via Eventbrite
Information: punchbowlsocial.com
A Night in Paris | 2024 Valentine’s Day Celebration
Wednesday, February 14, 2023, 7-10 p.m.
Join Hillwood for a Valentine’s celebration and benefit. Preview the special exhibition Marjorie Merriweather Post’s Paris, explore the magic of Hillwood, and bid on choice items in the silent auction.
The 8th Annual National Cannabis Festival returns to The Festival Grounds at RFK Campus on April 19 & 20 headlined by Wu-Tang Clan with Redman and Thundercat.
In addition to the concert, NCF ticket holders can explore sweet and savory eats, check out the epic Exhibitor Fair featuring more than 100 brands, enjoy demos, comedy, panel discussions, eating contests, and more in the Education Pavilions, visit sponsor activations and grab swag site-wide, all while checking out the talent rocking out the main stage on both days.
The 8th Annual National Cannabis Festival returns to The Festival Grounds at RFK Campus on April 19 & 20 headlined by Wu-Tang Clan with Redman and Thundercat.
In addition to the concert, NCF ticket holders can explore sweet and savory eats, check out the epic Exhibitor Fair featuring more than 100 brands, enjoy demos, comedy, panel discussions, eating contests, and more in the Education Pavilions, visit sponsor activations and grab swag site-wide, all while checking out the talent rocking out the main stage on both days.
Capital Harvest Market (CHoP), a weekly downtown market, opens for a 16th season. Explore a vibrant array of specialty foods, take a culinary tour around the world, and indulge in locally produced, small-batch and handcrafted products along with seasonal offerings from over 25 vendors. Visitors can also indulge in artistic expressions while enjoying delicious food and vibrant community spirit when the Capital Arts Collective joins CHoP on the Woodrow Wilson Plaza.
WHEN: Every Wednesday, May 1 to October 20, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Break out the bourbon, bonnets, and bow ties by celebrating the 150th Kentucky Derby at Wren on Saturday, May 4 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. The Tysons restaurant will host a Derby Day watch party with an array of specialty cocktails and Derby-inspired bites.
Guests can sip on Maker’s Mark Mint Juleps and other specialty cocktails, along with passed hors d’oeuvres, live music and plenty of TVs to view the “Run for the Roses”. Tickets are $75 per person and are available HERE. Guests are encouraged to don their best derby hats and fascinators to celebrate the races. The restaurant will have prizes for best hat and best dressed.
WHERE:
Wren
Located on the 11th floor of The Watermark Hotel
1825 Capital One Dr, Tysons, VA 22102
WHEN:
Saturday, May 4
4pm to 7pm
TICKETS:
https://www.exploretock.com/
Capital Harvest Market (CHoP), a weekly downtown market, opens for a 16th season. Explore a vibrant array of specialty foods, take a culinary tour around the world, and indulge in locally produced, small-batch and handcrafted products along with seasonal offerings from over 25 vendors. Visitors can also indulge in artistic expressions while enjoying delicious food and vibrant community spirit when the Capital Arts Collective joins CHoP on the Woodrow Wilson Plaza.
WHEN: Every Wednesday, May 1 to October 20, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
White House Gardens Tour will take place Saturday, May 11th and Sunday, May 12th.
The tours are open and free to the public with daily timed tickets.
How to tour the gardens: The National Park Service will distribute free, timed tickets each day (May 11th – 12th) beginning at 8:30 AM ET, while supplies last. Tickets will be distributed outside the White House Visitor Center at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
Space is very limited for this highly anticipated event, so please plan accordingly.
You must have a ticket in order to join the tour. White House Spring Gardens Tour Saturday, May 11th and Sunday, May 12th 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM ET
About the White House Rose Garden: First imagined in 1902, the White House Rose Garden is one of the most recognizable landscapes in the world. Throughout history, the garden has served as a prominent place for celebrating and marking important American milestones. The White House Gardens Tour is highly anticipated by visitors and Washingtonians alike.
