Where To Celebrate Lunar New Year in DFW
Happy Lunar New Year! This huge, 15-day celebration, observed by countries and cultures around the world, begins January 22 to mark the start of a new year on the lunar (moon cycle) calendar. Traditional festivities include gathering with family and friends, fireworks, and lots of feasting. Each lunar year is named after one of twelve animals in Asian folklore; 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit (or for Vietnam, the Year of the Cat). Find out just a few of the many places around town where you can celebrate with family—and food—in DFW.
Where To Celebrate
Chinese New Year Festival at NorthPark Center
From 9 AM to 12 PM on January 21, celebrate Lunar New Year with a free festival at NorthPark Center. Organized by the Crow Museum of Asian Art, this free event will feature lion and dragon dances, martial arts demos, live rabbits, and more throughout the mall.
For schedule and more info, look here.
Asia Times Square in Grand Prairie
Enjoy two free weekend events at one of the largest Asian markets in Texas:
- Firecracker Celebration on Saturday, January 21 at 5:30 PM
- Traditional Lion Dance on Sunday, January 22 at 12 PMFind more info here.
Lunar New Year Festival at Grandscape
Bring the family to Grandscape on Sunday, January 22 from 2-4 PM to enjoy free stage performances, giveaways, and crafts for the kids. Traditional foods available for purchase. Look here for more info.
Galleria Dallas
On January 28 at 4 PM, Galleria Dallas will host a Lunar New Year performance by the HD Lion Dance Foundation. The whole family will enjoy this signature dance to usher in the new year.
Frisco Ranch Shopping Center
Frisco Ranch hosts its own Lunar New Year celebration, featuring lion dances, music, an art competition, and more on January 28 from 10 AM to 12 PM. Find more details here.
Where To Eat
Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen’s Lunar New Year Celebration
Enjoy traditional Vietnamese food and festive decorations at Ngon on Lower Greenville. The restaurant will host a Rising Phoenix lion dance performance at 2:30 PM on Saturday, January 21.
85C Bakery
Sample some Taiwanese-style sweets with seasonal grab-and-go traditional Lunar New Year mooncakes, pineapple cakes, assorted buns and pastries, coffee, tea, and more. Look here for more info, including menu, DFW locations, and pre-ordering options.
J.S. Chen BBQ
For a full-blown Lunar New Year banquet experience, check out the CNY (Chinese New Year) “Harmony Feast” at J.S. Chen's in Plano. The set menu offers twelve traditional new year’s dishes for family-style dining with a large group. View the menu here.
Jeng Chi
Located in Richardson, this local favorite Chinese restaurant offers both in-house dining and a to-go bakery and coffee bar. Tip: the bakery often has packages of pre-made meat or vegetable filled buns to enjoy at home. On Sunday, January 22, they will also host a lion dance at 1 PM to ring in the new year. Find more info here.
Fat Straws
Try a delicious twist on the classic donut with Fat Straws’ Year of the Rabbit mochi donut box set. Made with rice flour, these chewy, puffy, glazed treats resemble a giant teething ring. Special Lunar New Year flavors (including strawberry with gold sprinkles, and creamy "White Rabbit") available through this weekend. Pre-order here.
Grab some family and friends to try something new this Lunar New Year!