Winter Lantern Festival in Tysons Corner, Northern Virginia – Chinese New Year Events

The Chinese New Year 2025 or the Lunar New Year begins on January 29th and lasts up to February 12th. This two-week period is an auspicious time of the year. It is celebrated across the globe by the Vietnamese, Korean, Malaysian and other Asian communities and marks an important holiday in many countries.

Year of the Snake – New Year 2025

Also known as the Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year marks a transition between the zodiac signs. From the 2024 the Year of the Dragon to 2025 the Year of the Snake.

Most preparations begin in January and culminate with the Lantern Festival in February second week.

Traditions practised during the Chinese New Year:

• Elders bless children with money passed on in little red envelopes
• Prayer – The Chinese New Year is a day of prayer. People pray for a good harvest, good fortune and for their ancestors. The best foods are offered to the gods.
• Craftsmen make red paper cutting forms, usually animals, and stick them on items with sticky rice glue

• Words of happiness and good fortune adorn doors in red square papers
• People burst firecrackers, burn fake money and printed gold bars in honor of their ancestors
• Several places host dragon and lion dances during this time
• Kumquat (similar to tangerines) desserts are served in families and restaurants
• Other festive foods served during the Chinese New Year are rice cakes, turnip cakes, crystal osthmanthus (a type of flower) jelly, sesame balls, etc

Let us know what your favorite Chinese New Year customs are in the comments below!

Lanterns during the Chinese New Year festivities

Lanterns have a special significance during the Chinese New Year. The two weeks of festivities culminate in a lantern festival. Families get together on this auspicious day and enjoy good food, play word games and riddles, and often go out to see lanterns.

Traditionally, a lit lantern is a symbol for the seat of god. They represent hope and happiness and are often gifted between families, especially newlyweds and pregnant women.

During the Chinese New Year, people write down their names or poetry or even certain words on lanterns before releasing them into the sky.

Winter Lantern Festival, Tysons Corner – Northern Virginia

In Northern Virginia, the Winter Lantern Festival at Tysons Galleria is one of the lunar new year events you can take your family to. It hosts plenty of lanterns made in the shapes of animals, dragons and other mythical creatures. You’ll also find traditional perfomances and paper cutting crafts in the tent at the very end of the festival lot.

Watch our video on Travel and Trots’ youtube channel to see some of the displays at the Winter Lantern Festival:

The Winter Lantern Festival will be at the Tysons Galleria parking lot.

Money-saving tip: Group bookings and family passes have a discount attached to them. Book on their website.

For more information on the Winter Lantern Festival at Tysons Corner, visit their official website – https://winterlanternfestival.com/washington/

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