Lunar New Year is one of most significant celebrations in East Asian culture, and the Dallas area is lucky to have dozens of local events for everyone to celebrate and learn! From multi-course feasts of traditional food, to beautiful lantern displays, to festive lion dances, there are so many opportunities to welcome The Year of the Dragon for 2024. Here are a few places to celebrate Lunar New Year in Dallas, TX throughout January and February.

 

Dallas Lunar New Year Events

 

Asia Times Square Festival

Where: 2625 W Pioneer Pkwy, Grand Prairie

When: 3 Weekends — Jan 26, 27, 28 | Feb 2, 3, 4 | Feb 10 & 11 Firecrackers Only

What: Three weekends of events celebrating culture, unity, and the hope of an auspicious year ahead. Dozens of food vendors set up every day starting at noon, lion dances will perform every two hours, and live musicians will perform daily.

Cost: Free Entry & Free Parking, Cash Recommended for Food Vendors

More Details: https://asiatimessquare.com/events/lny2024/ 

 

Cali Saigon Mall Festival

Where: 3212 N Jupiter Rd, Garland

When: 2 Weekends — Jan 27, Feb 11 Firecrackers Only 

What: Programs will run from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and include dragon and lion dances, firecrackers, live music, and multicultural talent and fashion shows. There will be over a dozen local vendors.

Cost: Free Entry & Free Parking

More Details: https://allevents.in/garland/2024-lunar-new-year/200025939741110 

 

Ranch 99 Night Market

Where: 9292 Warren Pkwy Ste 200, Frisco

When: Feb 2

What: Embrace the spirit of the New Year with mesmerizing lion dances, musical performances, a fashion show, a skilled calligraphy artist, local food vendors, and the timeless tradition of red envelopes. The market will last from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Cost: Free Entry & Free Parking

More Details: https://allevents.in/frisco/2024-lunar-new-year-night-market-festival/200025942700852 

 

Kimbell Art Museum Festival

Where: 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth

When: Feb 9 

What: The Guiyang Committee of Fort Worth Sister Cities is celebrating the Year of the Dragon at the Kimbell Art Museum. Enjoy a traditional guzheng trio, learn about Chinese art, and participate in a scavenger hunt throughout the permanent collection. A selection of beverages and snacks will be available for purchase.

More Details: https://kimbellart.org/event/lunar-new-year-celebration 

 

Grandscape Festival

Where: 752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony

When: Feb 10 

What: Grandscape invites you to celebrate the Lunar New Year and experience vibrant traditional and contemporary performances, a variety of food vendors, a night market around the center, and activities for the entire family. Be sure to stop by the Dragon’s Throne immersive experience hosted by artist, Dan Lam, located in The Homestead.

More Details: https://www.grandscape.com/event/lunar-new-year-festival/2024-02-10/ 

 

Downtown Plano Celebration

Where: 998 E 15th Street, Plano

When: Feb 10

What: Downtown Plano is celebrating the year of the dragon with a performance by Rising Phoenix Lion Dance Association that will wind throughout the arts district, and a Kung Fu demonstration by Shaolin Wu-Yi Institute in McCall Plaza. The first 460 guests will receive Lucky Money envelopes, offering best wishes for happiness and good fortune in the new year. The event will last from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

More Details: https://www.visitplano.com/event/lunar-new-year-celebration-in-downtown-plano/ 

 

NorthPark Celebration

Where: 8687 N Central Expy, Dallas

When: Feb 10

What: Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with NorthPark Center and the Crow Museum. Festivities will include Storytime with Park Cities Chinese School, Texas Songbirds Guzheng Ensemble by Uko Music Studio, Chinese Calligraphy, Chinese Painting, Paper Folding, Dragon Mask Making, and Lion Dancers by Rising Phoenix.

More Details: https://northparkcenter.com/events/lunar-new-year-2024 

 

Galleria Dallas Exhibit

Where: 13350 Dallas Pkwy, Dallas

When: Feb 10

What: The Galleria Dallas will display over 250 red lanterns above the ice rink now through the week of the Lunar New Year for Dallas residents to enjoy. On February 10 at 2:00 p.m., the HD Lion Dance Foundation will perform a colorful dragon dance on Level 1 near Sephora.

Cost: Free Entry & Free Parking

More Details: https://www.dallasnews.com/event/44c670b6-7170-3ec0-1583-b0cd32e4347f/ 

 

DFW Chinatown Festival

Where: Richardson CORE District

When: Feb 11

What: Fun for all ages, this free event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature dragon and lion dances, martial arts demos, K-Pop tributes, art making, calligraphy, specialty booths and cultural performances. 

Cost: Free Entry & Free Parking, Must Register for Free Tickets

More Details: https://www.richardsoncoredistrict.com/lunar-new-year-2024 

 

FREE Lunar New Year Activities at Dallas Libraries

Several Dallas Public Libraries have free crafts and activities (with supplies included) for local residents to enjoy if you are looking to ring in the Lunar New Year on a budget. 

 

Where: Polk Wisdom Library 

When: Feb 8

What: Paper Lantern Craft

Light up the night with handcrafted lanterns, symbolizing hope, prosperity, and community. Dive into the world of creativity as you fashion your very own Lunar New Year lantern. Choose from an array of colors to make your lantern unique.

More Details: https://dallaslibrary.librarymarket.com/event/lunar-new-year-lanterns-314594 

 

Where: Preston Royal Library 

When: Feb 10

What: Hanging Couplets Craft

Hanging Couplets are a popular custom in celebrating Chinese New Year. They are comprised of two lines of poetry painted on a set of red scrolls with gold or black lettering. These lines of poetry often focus on wishes for a good and prosperous new year. RSVP to save your spot and celebrate the Lunar New Year by painting your own hanging couplets!

More Details: https://dallaslibrary.librarymarket.com/event/diy-lunar-new-year-couplets-324165 

 

Where: Forest Green Library

When: Feb 17

What: Lunar New Year Festival

This exciting free festival from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. will offer dragon crafts, traditional calligraphy, a dragon dance, a harp performance, new year fortunes, a wishing tree, food vendors, and a bearded dragon meet and greet.

More Details: https://dallaslibrary.librarymarket.com/event/lunar-new-year-festival-287993 

 

Dallas Lunar New Year Food & Treats

 

Dragon Egg Boba Cups by The Boba Plug

Where: Festivals Around DFW

When: Jan 26, 27, 28 | Feb 10 | Feb 11

What: Local pop up The Boba Plug is serving their popular brown sugar boba drink in a cup shaped like a dragon egg at three different local festivals to celebrate the Year of the Dragon!

You can find them at Asia Times Square in Grand Prairie on January 26, 27, & 28, at Grandscape in The Colony on February 10, and at DFW Chinatown in Richardson on Feb 11.

More Details: https://www.instagram.com/thebobaplug/ 

 

Mac & Cream Lunar New Year Macarons & Cakes

Where: Pick Up Available in McKinney

When: Jan 27 – Feb 11

What: This beloved bakery pop up is offering several adorable and delicious collections of Lunar New Year treats, including a box of six “character” macarons and festive strawberry chiffon cake. You can order online starting January 27 and pick up in a variety of different locations around McKinney, or find them at the DFW Chinatown Lunar New Year Festival in Richardson on Feb 11.

More Details: https://www.instagram.com/macandcream/ 

 

KAI Legacy West 

Where: 7301 Windrose Ave. c200, Plano

When: Feb 8 -10

What: KAI is offering a specialty Lunar New Year food and cocktail menu for one weekend only! Indulge in chef-selected specials featuring unique and traditional flavors and celebrate the season with a lion dance on Feb 10.

More Details: https://www.kailegacywest.com/events/lunar-new-year 

 

Ngon Viet Kitchen

Where: 1907 Greenville Ave, Dallas

When: Feb 10 – 11

What: Enjoy traditional Vietnamese cuisine inspired by family recipes and a new drink special called the Tipsy Dragon in the days leading up to Lunar New Year. Ngon Kitchen will be decorated in the spring colors of Tết, and will host a lion dance at 3:00 p.m. on Feb 11. 

More Details: https://www.instagram.com/ngonvietkitchen/ 

 

Happy Year of the Dragon! I hope everyone has a chance to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Dallas.

It’s always exciting to celebrate different cultures, and Lunar New Year is a perfect opportunity to embrace traditions and learn new things. I hope you have an opportunity to support some of these festivals and local businesses in the Year of the Dragon, 2024!

 

Looking for even more ideas for fun things to do in Dallas? Check out my Instagram page, here!