Monday, Feb. 16 to Feb. 28

Nurture the Neighborhood: Chinatown Small Business Week
Save Chinatown x Downtown DC

Nurture the Neighborhood: Chinatown Small Business Week is the cornerstone of the two-week celebration welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse. Running from February 16 to February 28, this initiative honors the resilience and unity of the DC community by encouraging everyone to gather in Chinatown.

By attending the various Lunar New Year events throughout the neighborhood, participants have the opportunity to win gift cards. These cards are specifically intended to help you shop and dine at local Chinatown businesses, ensuring that the spirit of prosperity and good fortune directly supports the neighborhood's legacy shops and restaurants.

Monday, Feb. 16

📩 Culture Walk
🕒 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Chinese Youth Club
📍Chinatown, Washington, DC

Experience the history and traditions of the neighborhood firsthand with the Chinese Youth Club Culture Walk. This event invites the community to learn about Chinese New Year traditions and life in Chinatown directly from those who grew up there.

Lion Dances
🕠 5:00 to 6:00 PM
Chinese Youth Club
📍Chinatown, Washington, DC

Celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Fire Horse with a traditional Lion Dance performance by the Chinese Youth Club. This vibrant ceremony invites the DC community to gather in Chinatown to honor fresh beginnings, prosperity, and good fortune. The Lion Dance is an essential part of the cultural program designed to nurture the neighborhood and celebrate its rich heritage.

Midnight Madness
🕦 11:30 PM to 12:30 AM
1882 Foundation x Downtown DC
📍 1882 Foundation x Anthem Row

For the night owls looking to kick off the Year of the Fire Horse with serious energy, Midnight Madness is the place to be. This late-night gathering invites the DC community to Chinatown to celebrate fresh beginnings and the unity of our neighborhood. This event serves as a vibrant bridge into New Year's Day, emphasizing prosperity and good fortune through community presence. Light refreshments from Beans 'n' Bánh Mì will be provided for attendees at the 1882 Foundation.

Tuesday, Feb. 17

Lion Dance
🕒 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Hung Ci Lion Dance Troupe
📍 Friendship Archway x Wah Luck House

Start your Lunar New Year's Day with the vibrant energy and tradition of the Hung Ci Lion Dance. This ceremony invites the DC community to gather in Chinatown to honor fresh beginnings, prosperity, and good fortune. The performance is a tribute to the resilience, strength, and unity of the local community and the city.

Thursday, Feb. 19

🎫 Lunar New Year Night
🕖 7:00 PM
Washington Wizards
📍Capital One Arena

Celebrate Lunar New Year with the Washington Wizards featuring a performance from Music Dynasty, Johns Hopkins University's first and only Chinese A Cappella group.

Friday, Feb. 20

🎫 Taiwanese Heritage Night
🕖 7:00 PM
Washington Wizards
📍Capital One Arena

Join us for Taiwanese Heritage Night at the Washington Wizards on February 20th!

🎫 Chinatown Funk Express: Lunar New Year Edition
🕘 9:00 PM
Les the DJ
📍 Lucky Danger

Get ready to groove into the Year of the Fire Horse at the Chinatown Funk Express: Lunar New Year Edition! This high-energy Asian City Pop Dance Party is bringing the community together for a night of Korean funk-pop icons to Cantonese Hi-NRG to dreamy grooves of OPM (Original Pilipino Music). Get ready for lush production, sleek rhythms, and heartfelt melodies inspired by ’80s Japanese City Pop and crafted across East and Southeast Asia. Let’s shake and shimmy under the disco ball and relive the golden era of Asian pop music from 70s to today - Get on the Funk Express now!

Saturday, Feb. 21

📩 Lunar New Year Chinatown Walking Tour
🕒 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
1882 Foundation
📍 1882 Foundation

Want to know more about DC Chinatown's history? Join us for a tour!

One of our Senior Advisors will be providing a walking tour of DC's Chinatown on February 21st. It is a perfect way to learn more about our history before the CCBA parade on the 22nd!

📩 Art of the Fire Horse
🕒 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Save Chinatown
📍 Chinese Community Church

Celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse through creativity and community action at Art of the Fire Horse, a special event hosted by the Save Chinatown Solidarity Network. This afternoon of community art-making invites residents and visitors to gather at the historic Chinese Community Church to honor the resilience and unity of D.C.’s Chinatown. Participants can engage in hands-on art-making that celebrates the "Fire Horse" and the neighborhood's rich cultural heritage. Beyond the art, it is a space for the community to come together to support the preservation of Chinatown’s legacy businesses and residents.

Sunday, Feb. 22, LUNAR NEW YEAR PARADE

Lunar New Year Performances
🕚 11:00 AM
Chinese Youth Club
📍 6th Street NW between H Street NW & I Street NW

Enjoy an exciting lineup of cultural and community performances, capped off by a spectacular firecracker show at the grand finale on H Street. This is one of DC’s most beloved events, bringing together tradition, community, and energy. Come early for a meal at one of Chinatown’s many local eateries, then grab a spot to catch the colorful festivities!

Lunar New Year Parade
🕑 2:00 PM
Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Washington, DC
📍 Chinatown, Washington, DC

On Sunday, February 22, 2026, join us in the Annual Chinese Lunar New Year Parade in Downtown DC’s Chinatown at 2:00 PM. Hosted by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Washington, DC (CCBA), in partnership with the DC Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA), the parade will bring vibrant color to Chinatown as we celebrate the Year of the Horse — marking the year 4724 in the lunar calendar! Whether you’re a local DC resident or a visitor, this parade is an unforgettable way to start your year!

Tuesday, Feb. 24

Mahjong Night
🕕 6:00 PM to 09:00 PM
Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs
📍Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

Come play American or Hong Kong-style mahjong and learn from experienced instructors!

Mahjong, meaning “sparrow” in Chinese, is a game of strategy, skill, and a bit of luck. Originating in China, it spread internationally, evolving into different regional styles. We will be hosting both Hong Kong and American-style mahjong tables.

All levels are welcome! Whether you're new to mahjong or looking to refine your skills, this open play night offers an engaging way to experience the game in its authentic form or the American style.

Friday, Feb. 27

🎫 YEE-YAAW Lunar New Year Party
🕗 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Young Asian Americans of Washington DC
📍Eighteenth Street Lounge

Gallop into the Year of the Fire Horse with our “YEE-YAAW” Lunar New Year dance celebration hosted by Young Asian Americans of Washington (YAAW) 🔥🐎

The Fire Horse only comes once every 60 years and it’s known for bold moves, fearless energy, and new beginnings — so we’re throwing a party worthy of it.

Whether you’re coming with friends or coming solo, this is the perfect night to meet new people, connect with the AAPI community, and dance into the Lunar New Year together.