The Lunar New Year is fast approaching, and with it many fun celebrations in Seattle. If you’re not familiar, the Lunar New Year is celebrated in Asian cultures as it is the beginning of the new year on the traditional lunar calendar. This year, it falls on Wednesday, January 29 but Seattle’s celebrations start in early January and continue into February. We put together this list of some of the best options for celebrating the Lunar New Year in Seattle in 2025. The best part is that almost all of these events are free to attend, so you don’t have to spend any money to go check out a traditional lion dance.
Here are the top things to do for the Lunar New Year in Seattle, in chronological order:
1. Lunar New Year Fair at Wing Luke Museum
When: Saturday, January 18, 2025
Where: Wing Luke Museum
The first portion of this event is free and takes place outdoors in front of the Wing Luke Museum on King Street. There will be a lion dance that is free for the public to enjoy at 10:00 a.m.
The second part of the celebration takes place within the museum and requires museum admission. From 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. there will be a craft fair inside for all ages to enjoy with timed entry tickets.
Get tickets and see more info on the Wing Luke Museum website.
2. Tết in Seattle
When: January 25-26, 2025
Where: Seattle Center
This free Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration takes place over two days at Seattle Center. The events on both days usually run from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Armory Food & Event Hall and Fisher Pavilion. Last year there was a lion dance, live music, food vendors, and craft vendors; we’ll update this when there’s more info about this year’s event! Admission is free.
See more about the event on the Seattle Center website.
3. Lunar New Year in Bellevue
When: Saturday, January 25, 2025
Where: Bellevue Square
You can make the short drive across Lake Washington to Bellevue for their annual Lunar New Year celebrations. From 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. there will be crafts, displays, live performances, giveaways, and more in Bellevue Square. This event is free and for all ages. See more on the event page.
4. Lunar New Year at Pacific Place
When: January 25, 2025
Where: Pacific Place (600 Pine St)
There will be crafting and a performance by Mak Fai Kung Fu Club at this free Lunar New Year celebration downtown that runs from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. You can see more info here.
5. Lunar New Year lion dance in downtown Seattle
When: January 26, 2025
Where: Westlake Park
Head to downtown Seattle for this free, family-friendly celebration that features a traditional lion dance and more festivities. The event starts at 11:30 a.m. with the lion dance starting at noon in Westlake Park. There will be a second lion dance performance at First Avenue and Pike Street at 1:00 p.m. See more info here.
6. Chinese New Year at Smith Tower
When: January 29 to February 12, 2025
Where: Smith Tower Observatory Bar
Smith Tower is celebrating the Chinese New Year from January 29 to February 12 at their Observatory Bar on the 35th floor with three limited-edition cocktails such as The Golden Serpent. You’ll also be able to order food there. If you go Monday through Thursday you can get $10 tickets to the Observatory Bar, plus a $10 food and beverage credit. See more details here.
7. Lunar New Year Family Festival at Seattle Art Museum
When: Saturday, February 1, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Seattle Asian Art Museum
You can head to the Seattle Asian Art Museum on the first Saturday of February to enjoy a Lunar New Year family festival. There will be a lion dance, story time, a photo booth, and more. The event is included with the suggested museum admission donation.
Get more info and tickets on the Seattle Art Museum website.
8. Chinese tea tasting at Volunteer Park Conservatory
When: Saturday, February 1, 2025
Where: Volunteer Park Conservatory
Celebrate the Year of the Snake and warm up with hot tea in the Volunteer Park Conservatory. There will be a Chinese black tea presentation and tasting at 12:15, 1:15, and 2:15 p.m. Participation in this event is included with your $6 ticket to the conservatory; no need to pre-register.
9. Lunar New Year Night Market
When: Saturday, February 8, 2025
Where: Magnuson Park Hangar 30
Cost: $15-$25
This huge indoor night market will be celebrating the Lunar New Year from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. with a lion dance, a dance party with DJs, and AAPI-owned businesses with a featured AAPI Maker’s pop-up shop. There will also be a photo booth, food trucks, and bars (hence why this event is for ages 21+ only). Get tickets here!
10. PhinneyWood Lunar New Year Celebration
When: Saturday, February 8, 2025 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Phinney Center (6532 Phinney Ave N)
This family-friendly celebration will include lantern making, lion dances, and food trucks. This event is free but if you’re able, the organizers request “as a tradition, consider bringing cash to fill red envelopes for donations. Your contributions support the event and bring good fortune for the upcoming year.”
See more info on the Phinney Center website.
11. Lunar New Year Celebration in Chinatown
When: Saturday, February 22, 2025
Where: Hing Hay Park in Chinatown-International District
Don’t miss this free Lunar New Year celebration in Hing Hay Park in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District (CID). From 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. there will be vendor booths, lion dances, live music and performances, and businesses participating in a neighborhood food walk.
You can read more about the event on the Seattle CID website.