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.
Hong Kong-inspired Tiger Fork in Blagden Alley is once again celebrating Lunar New Year (year of the Dragon) from February 9 through February 18. Tiger Fork will serve of a special a la carte menu of symbolic Cantonese dishes for both dine-in and takeout, each representing a specific virtue to bring good luck for the coming year. And during dinner service on two Saturdays, February 10 & 17, the festive restaurant will host traditional Lion Dancers, performing ceremonies to bring prosperity and good fortune in 2024.
In addition to most of Tiger Fork’s regular menu offerings, Executive Chef Simon Lam has created several dish specials, each designed to bring good luck in the New Year (traditional examples include dumplings symbolizing wealth, noodles for long life, and fish bringing surplus). Available either a la carte (ranging from $9-$35) or as a tasting menu for two ($136), dishes include:
Pork Dumplings (wealth)
Napa cabbage, edamame puree, herb oil
Jian Diu (togetherness)
fried glutinous rice sesame balls
Yu Sheng (prosperity)
noodles, seasonal vegetables, sea urchin, fish roe
Yu (abundance)
steamed whole fish, soy fish broth, aromatic herbs
Year of the Dragon (luck)
battered lobster, soy gravy, pan fried egg noodles
Throughout the celebration, dine-in guests will receive a traditional red envelope with their checks. During Lunar New Year, bright red envelopes are traditionally gifted to friends and family. Guests can fill them with money, gifted to symbolize good wishes and luck for the new year ahead.
And traditional Chinese lion dancers from Tai Yim Kung Fu will perform on several nights during dinner service (Sat. February 10 at 7:30pm, and Sat. February 17 at 5pm and 7pm) for guests in the dining room and just outside the restaurant in historic Blagden Alley — a customary ceremony which signifies prosperity, luck and good fortune.
Tiger Fork’s Lunar New Year specials will all be available for dine-in, and some for takeout/delivery.
WHEN: Food Specials: Friday, February 9 through Sunday, February 18 (food specials)
Lion Dancing: Saturday, February 10 (7:30pm) and Saturday, February 17 (5pm, 7pm)
WHERE: Tiger Fork
922 N Street NW
Rumble will host a “Love Yourself Open House“ on Sunday, February 11 offering free classes, giveaways, samples from wellness lifestyle partners and a chance to meet the owners. Box and Flow, a new specialty class combining the classic 45 minute Rumble class with 30 minutes of yoga will be offered at 1pm. First-timers will enjoy their first class on Rumble and can continue their fitness journey with a 24% discount on their first month membership and special offers on class packs.
Established in 2017, Rumble delivers 45-minute, 10-round, full-body strength and conditioning workouts centered around specially designed water-filled, teardrop-style boxing bags. Originating in the heart of Chelsea, New York City, Rumble has expanded to numerous cities, including Los Angeles, Denver, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington DC.
Find more information about Rumble Boxing DC here , Rumble Boxing Ashburn here, Rumble Boxing Falls Church here, Rumble Boxing Courthouse here and Rumble Boxing Philadelphia here.
Hong Kong-inspired Tiger Fork in Blagden Alley is once again celebrating Lunar New Year (year of the Dragon) from February 9 through February 18. Tiger Fork will serve of a special a la carte menu of symbolic Cantonese dishes for both dine-in and takeout, each representing a specific virtue to bring good luck for the coming year. And during dinner service on two Saturdays, February 10 & 17, the festive restaurant will host traditional Lion Dancers, performing ceremonies to bring prosperity and good fortune in 2024.
In addition to most of Tiger Fork’s regular menu offerings, Executive Chef Simon Lam has created several dish specials, each designed to bring good luck in the New Year (traditional examples include dumplings symbolizing wealth, noodles for long life, and fish bringing surplus). Available either a la carte (ranging from $9-$35) or as a tasting menu for two ($136), dishes include:
Pork Dumplings (wealth)
Napa cabbage, edamame puree, herb oil
Jian Diu (togetherness)
fried glutinous rice sesame balls
Yu Sheng (prosperity)
noodles, seasonal vegetables, sea urchin, fish roe
Yu (abundance)
steamed whole fish, soy fish broth, aromatic herbs
Year of the Dragon (luck)
battered lobster, soy gravy, pan fried egg noodles
Throughout the celebration, dine-in guests will receive a traditional red envelope with their checks. During Lunar New Year, bright red envelopes are traditionally gifted to friends and family. Guests can fill them with money, gifted to symbolize good wishes and luck for the new year ahead.
And traditional Chinese lion dancers from Tai Yim Kung Fu will perform on several nights during dinner service (Sat. February 10 at 7:30pm, and Sat. February 17 at 5pm and 7pm) for guests in the dining room and just outside the restaurant in historic Blagden Alley — a customary ceremony which signifies prosperity, luck and good fortune.
Tiger Fork’s Lunar New Year specials will all be available for dine-in, and some for takeout/delivery.
WHEN: Food Specials: Friday, February 9 through Sunday, February 18 (food specials)
Lion Dancing: Saturday, February 10 (7:30pm) and Saturday, February 17 (5pm, 7pm)
WHERE: Tiger Fork
922 N Street NW
For the second year in a row, Lulu’s Winegarden is celebrating the 150th Kentucky Derby (also known as the “Run for the Roses”) with a pink wine-fueled viewing party – “Run for the Rosés.” On Saturday, May 4 from 3-7pm, the U Street wine bar will offer $40 rosé bottles, rosé magnums, frozen mint juleps, and will air “the most exciting two minutes in sports” on its five outdoor and indoor TVs with sound.
The U Street wine garden recently expanded its rosé program for the spring, and will offer all eight of its rosés by the bottle at just $40 for the afternoon. And groups can share large-format RUMOR Rosé magnums at special pricing. There’s a pink wine for every palate, ranging from several classic Provence rosés, a slightly effervescent Txakoli rosés, a unique Greek rosé made with the native Agiorgitiko grape, and even a fun Mexican rosé of Grenache.
For those who can’t watch the Derby without a little Kentucky bourbon, Lulu’s will offer bourbon specials and the bar’s frozen cocktail machines will dispense Mint Julep Slushies.
Lulu’s will air the big race with sound on its five outdoor and indoor TVs.
The party is free to attend with food and drinks sold a la carte.
WHO: Lulu’s Winegarden
WHEN: Saturday, May 4, 2024
3-7pm
WHERE: Lulu’s Winegarden
1940 11th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
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.
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.
The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style, known as one of the most prestigious and premiere car events on the East Coast, returns to Alexandria on Sunday, May 19, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Presenting sponsor Burke & Herbert Bank, returns for the fifth year in a row to support the signature event that stretches across lower King Street and the surrounding side streets near Old Town’s waterfront, to showcase rare and exotic cars.
The Festival has garnered tens of thousands of spectators to the lower King Street area, doubling foot traffic to local businesses, generating widespread media coverage, and raising money for Alexandria-based nonprofits. The event is a high-sensory spectacle for participants, spectators and car enthusiasts, allowing them to experience the “Speed & Style” variety of exotic supercars and vintage motorcycles rarely seen sitting still for up-close viewing.
Center-stage at noon, a unique Fashion Demonstration will be hosted by Maria Elizabeth of Alexandria-based Salon DeZEN. Maria will discuss the elegance and importance of natural fashion and its profound impact when paired with beautiful automobiles. An award presentation highlighting cars judged to be the finest in 11 categories, will immediately follow the Fashion Demonstration.
“We’re thrilled to be the title sponsor of the Old Town Festival of Speed & Style for the fifth straight year,” said David P. Boyle, chair, Burke & Herbert Financial Services Corp. “As Alexandria’s hometown bank, being a part of bringing a festival of this magnitude to the heart of our city and right outside the doors of our historic Headquarters means a lot to us. We couldn’t be happier that Alive! and Community Lodgings – two valued local organizations – will benefit from the proceeds.”
New for this year, the event will include pre-war exotic cars, a myriad of different sponsors showcasing their goods under canopies strategically dispersed throughout the Festival area, and live rock and jazz music provided by two well-known local bands.
EVENT DETAILS
What: 5th Annual Old Town Festival of Speed & Style, Presented by Burke & Herbert Bank
When: Sunday, May 19, 2024
Where: Lower Blocks of King Street around Market Square area (200-500 blocks of King Street, and the 100 blocks of North and South Fairfax St.; North and South Royal St.; and North and South Pitt St.)
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Website: https://www.
Cost: Free – open to all!
Weather Plan: Rain or shine
Michelin-honored Cantonese restaurant Tiger Fork and its sister bar Hi-Lawn are coming together to host the “Spring Night Market” — a traditional Chinese festival celebration from May 29-30. They will transform the 1000-person rooftop atop Union Market into a lively two-day Hong Kong night market, decked out with illuminated lanterns, food stalls from guest chefs, pop-up shops from local artisans, cultural performances, late-night DJs, baijiu and sake bars and more. They will be accepting donations on-site for Chefs Against AAPI Hate.
This is Tiger Fork & Hi-Lawn’s second collaborative night market, the first hosted during last September’s mooncake festival, which drew more than 4,000 attendees. May is AAPI Heritage Month, and Tiger Fork & Hi-Lawn are bringing more than a dozen acclaimed local restaurants and vendors to one of DC’s largest rooftops.
Tiger Fork’s executive chef Simon Lam will cook savory street food-inspired fare and unique sweets alongside guest chefs/restaurants such as Love, Makoto; Chang Chang; Padaek; Hiraya; Lucky Danger; Magpie & The Tiger; Dan Dan Boy; Hollywood East; Toimoi; Yume Asian Fusion; CHIBOO Bakery; Shared Tea; and Party of Popcorn (with more to be announced soon) at food stands throughout the open-air rooftop.
Guests can peruse specialty gifts and wares from pop-up market stalls throughout the celebration.
Festival drinkers will enjoy a special Baijiu + Sake Bar, pouring China’s national spirit, plus an assortment of sake, and other liquor, themed cocktails, beer and wine.
There will also be cultural performances such as lion and dragon dancing from Shaolin Hung Fut Kung Fu School will take place live on the lawn.
And DJs will keep the spirited energy going all night long, spinning tunes from 9pm to midnight.
The two-night festival supports a fantastic cause, helping to raise funds to benefit Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate.
Tiger Fork’s Spring Night Market is free to attend and open to the public, but RSVPs are required on Eventbrite. Donations to Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate are encouraged and accepted throughout the event. All food, beverage and artisan crafts will be sold a la carte, first-come, first-served.
