---
title: "Mythical Beasts and Lucky Dishes: Lunar New Year Traditions, Explained"
date: 2024-02-09T05:30:00-05:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/mythical-beasts-and-lucky-dishes-lunar-new-year-traditions-explained"
section: Articles
---
# Mythical Beasts and Lucky Dishes: Lunar New Year Traditions, Explained

*February 9, 2024* — by [Karen Shih ’09](/author/karen-shih)


> UMD Expert on D.C.-area Celebrations Breaks Down Chinese Customs

*Getty Images 1246606374 1920x1080 — Lion dancers perform in Washington, D.C.'s Chinatown in January 2023. Lunar New Year, which begins Saturday, is an opportunity for “Asian American communities across the nation declare proudly that our story is also an American story, and our heritage is also a part of the American heritage,” said American studies doctoral candidate Xinqian “Allison” Qiu.*

This weekend, the bang-bang-bang and billowing smoke of firecrackers, undulating red and gold dragons, and mouthwatering aromas of steamed and fried delights signal the start of Lunar New Year for two billion people.

The holiday, also known as Chinese New Year, is based on a lunar and solar cycle calendar so it changes dates annually, but usually falls from late January to mid-February. Comparable to Thanksgiving and Christmas combined, it’s considered the most important festival in more than 10 countries, including China, Korea, Vietnam: a time to gather with family and eat, eat, eat.


*mother and daughter at Lunar New Year exhibit at Kennedy Center — Qiu and her daughter, Claire, at a Kennedy Center Lunar New Year celebration for the year of the pig in 2019. (Photo courtesy of Qiu)*



**Sidebar note:**

Want to check out a Lunar New Year celebration? Qiu recommends the following festivities:

- [Celebrate Chinese New Year at the Chinese American Museum](https://www.chineseamericanmuseum.org/upcomingevents) in Washington, D.C.  
    Feb. 10: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
- [Lunar New Year Family Celebration (Korean and Chinese) at the Smithsonian American Art Museum](https://americanart.si.edu/events/lunar-new-year-family-celebration-february-10-2024) in Washington, D.C.  
    Feb. 10: 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
- [Lunar New Year Celebration in partnership with the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center at Westfield Montgomery mall](https://www.westfield.com/united-states/montgomery/events-detail/lunar-new-year-celebration) in Bethesda, Md.  
    Feb. 10: 12:30 p.m.–5 p.m.
- [D.C. Chinese Lunar New Year Parade in Chinatown  ](https://dcparade.com/)Feb. 11: 2 p.m.
- [Lunar New Year Celebration at Rockville High School](https://www.rockvillemd.gov/730/Lunar-New-Year) in Rockville, Md.  
    Feb. 17: 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
- Lantern Festival hosted by the Coordination Council of Chinese-American Associations at Gaithersburg High School in Gaithersburg, Md.  
    March 2: 3–6:30 p.m. (food market); 7–9:30 p.m. (talent show)





**Topics:** [Arts & Culture](https://today.umd.edu/tags/arts-culture)


**Tags:** [American Studies](https://today.umd.edu/topic/american-studies), [Multicultural Community](https://today.umd.edu/topic/multicultural-community)


**Units:** [College of Arts and Humanities](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-arts-and-humanities)