Festival Celebrations
Mid-Autumn Festival
On the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, family and friends gather to gaze upon the full moon of the harvest season, continuing a 3,000-year-old tradition. Families celebrate a bountiful harvest and their time together by eating moon cakes — rich pastries with a sweet or savory filling.
The Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration offers traditional foods, a wide assortment of mooncake flavors, traditional music and dance performances and workshops, so there is always something for everyone!
Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year celebrations typically run from late January to early February, and are often accompanied by large-scale celebrations at GW! In past years, we have had dance performances, calligraphy workshops, painting activities and more. Come watch our dragon and lion dances, taste traditional staples, and enjoy music and arts as we celebrate the new year! We also partner with multiple local organizations as well, such as the Kennedy Center, Smithsonian Museums, DC Public Schools, and more.
Invite your friends and family and join us in experiencing Chinese traditions, or sign up to volunteer!
Lantern Festival
End the Lunar New Year celebration with the Lantern Festival, which is held on the 15th of the first lunar month!
In the past, we have celebraryed by hosting a Dumpling Night that offers paper lantern crafting, riddle answering, dragon dancing and other traditional Chinese cultural activities. Don't miss it!
Qingming Festival
Qingming Festival has a history of over 2,500 years and is also known as Tomb Sweeping Day or Tranquility Day. On this day, people celebrate the change to warmer weather and go out on Spring Field Trips (春游), which usually involves visiting the tombs of their passed loved ones. They will sweep tombs and offer gifts to commemorate them and ask for blessings of prosperity and peace.
At GW, we have marked this day by holding kite festivals and picnics by the Tidal Basin or the monuments. It is a great time to get outside and connect with friends.
Dragon Boat Festival
Also known as Duanwu Festival, this is one of the largest holidays in China. It is celebrated by dragon boat racing activities and eating sticky rice dumplings (粽子).
Be sure to check our 'Upcoming Events' page and you may find a watch party for the Washington DC Dragon Boat Festival, generally held in May or June.
Qixi Festival
The Lunar Valentine's Day falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, hence also known as "Double Seven Day". It is inspired by the mythical love story between a cow herder and the goddess of weaving, and is said to be the one day they're allowed to be reunited in the stars.
Similar to the Valentine's Day in U.S., couples celebrate by gift-giving or going on cute dates. Be on the lookout for events featuring crafts and traditional sweet treats to celebrate!