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
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.
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.
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
On Saturday, February 24, 2024, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic will host its annual Wish Ball at the elegantly restored Waldorf Astoria, Washington, D.C. This annual event, which attracts more than 650 guests each year, raises awareness & funds for life-changing wishes for local children in the Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and Maryland region who are battling critical illnesses. Founded in 1983, the Mid-Atlantic chapter has granted over 11,000 since its inception. Wish kids face any number of critical illnesses such as cancer, pediatric AIDS, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Duchene’s muscular dystrophy, kidney and heart disease. Every year, 450 local children are expected to receive a diagnosis that makes them eligible for a wish, and no child is turned away. For every wish granted, at least one more local child is waiting.
Join for a fun and inspirational night of great food and wine, entertainment by Lucy Black Gold, live & silent auctions, and inspirational wish stories. Tickets are priced at $500 per person with sponsorship packages ranging in price from $5,000 to $50,000. Tickets & sponsorship packages are available for purchase at About Wish Ball (wishballmidatlantic.org)
WHEN: Saturday, February 24, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 12 Midnight.
WHERE: The Waldorf Astoria, Washington, D.C. is located at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004. Room reservations for Wish Ball attendees can be made here.
WHO: Co-Chairs for 2024 Wish Ball: Katherine & Benjamin Berman and Sophie & Stephen LaMontagne, Georgetown Cupcake and Laura Szlavin Niamien & Joel Niamien, Wish Parents, Szinc Consulting LLC | Walton Enterprises
Honoring Peter Shields & Ace Werner
