Weekend Highlight
If you thought the new year’s festivities were over, think again! Lunar New Year is Saturday, Jan. 25, and communities around Seattle are gearing up for celebrations. This weekend, observe the holiday with Tet in Seattle at Seattle Center. Next month, be on the lookout for the Chinatown International District event.
Tet in Seattle — Vietnamese Lunar New Year
Celebrate Vietnamese Lunar New Year with Tet in Seattle from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 18-19, at Seattle Center. The event is a cultural experience for all ages with food, performances, family activities and more.
According to Tet in Seattle’s Instagram, Tet is considered one of the biggest holidays in Vietnamese culture. It is usually celebrated on the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar. It can last seven to nine days and is a time when many customs are practiced. Experience some of them for yourself this weekend.
At the Armory stage on Saturday, the festivities kick off with a lion dance from the Vovinam Association of Washington at 11 a.m., followed by an opening ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Food lovers will want to stick around for the cooking competition show at noon. At 3 p.m., put your knowledge to the test for a Vietnamese version of “Jeopardy!”
On Saturday at Fisher Pavilion, festivalgoers can see a martial-arts demo at noon, an eating contest at 1:45 p.m., a lion dance at 3 p.m. and more. Singers Khai Dang and Loan Chau will perform in the Armory at 3:45 and 4:45 p.m.
On both days of the festival, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., there will be a cultural village, a wishing tree and Kids N Tet in the Armory loft/balcony. While at the cultural village, be sure to check out the Mental Health Mural featuring anonymous self-reflections from Vietnamese American/Asian American community members. Also happening both days is a health fair from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Armory main floor. Attendees can get a blood-pressure check, immunizations, dental screenings and more. Check the Tet schedule to see which services will be offered on which day. Note that services will be limited between 4 and 5 p.m.
On Sunday at the Armory stage, the White Lotus Dragon & Lion Dance Team will perform at 11 a.m., followed by a photo opportunity with the team. Another eating contest will occur at the Armory stageat 12:15 p.m. If you missed out on “Jeopardy!” Saturday, there will be more games starting at 1:30 p.m. Singers Myra Tran and Ha Thanh Xuan will perform at Fisher Pavilion at 3 and 4 p.m. Starting at 5:15 p.m., two fashion shows will grace the Pavilion as well.
Attendees can purchase food from local vendors, including Pho Bac, Slide Thru Food Truck and Macadons. There will also be nonfood vendors: Friends of Little Saigon, Seattle University Vietnamese Student Association and traditional fashion pieces from Ao Dai Chi Dau, to name a few.
Chinatown International District Lunar New Year Celebration
Continue the Lunar New Year fun in the Chinatown International District and welcome 2020, the Year of the Rat, on Saturday, Feb. 8.
There will be a variety of activities throughout the day, including a lion and dragon performance, Chinese and Korean cultural dances and a costume parade. There will also be a children’s book reading and martial-arts demonstration in the afternoon. More performances will be announced. Check the schedule for updates.
Bring an appetite because there will be a food walk! You can try a variety of dishes for $3 each from restaurants across the Chinatown International District. As you eat, you can collect stamps and turn them in to the information booth for a chance to win a prize. Keep an eye out for a menu with participating locations.
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Tet in Seattle — Vietnamese Lunar New Year
Hours: 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 18-19
Location: Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., Seattle
Cost: free
More info: tetinseattle.org
Chinatown International District Lunar New Year Celebration
Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8
Location: Seattle’s Chinatown International District
Cost: free
More info: cidbia.org
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