Happy Lunar New Year! The annual holiday, also known as Chinese New Year and primarily celebrated among East Asian communities, begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice. And so on and around February 10, which begins the Year of the Dragon, several shopping centers and cultural centers are throwing free parties for the community. Read below for a few local festivals, listed by date, that are the most kid-friendly.
Lunar New Year at Asia Times Square
Where: Asia Times Square, 2625 W. Pioneer Pkwy., Grand Prairie
When: Weekends January 26–February 11, 2024, hours vary by day
Cost: Free admission
What to know: One of the largest Asian markets in North Texas presents this 17th annual Lunar New Year festival, running three weekends. Come celebrate the Year of the Dragon here to experience the food vendors and daily lion dances (sometimes several times each day). The first weekend includes martial arts demonstrations, a Vietnamese fashion show, and K-pop cover bands. Learn more here.
Lunar New Year Celebration at Cali Saigon Mall
Where: Cali Saigon Mall and Thuan Phat Supermarket, 3212 N. Jupiter Road, Garland
When: Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 11am–10pm, and Saturday, February 10, from 11am–12:30pm
Cost: Free admission
What to know: Come either day for a morning of lion dances and the lighting of firecrackers, but only on the January date will there be live performances and loads of additional vendors inside the indoor market. Learn more here.
Lunar New Year Grandscape
Where: Grandscape, 5752 Grandscape Blvd., The Colony
When: Saturday, February 10, 2024 from 4–10pm
Cost: Free admission
What to know: Meet on the Grandscape lawn for an evening of kids activities, performances (both traditional and contemporary), food vendors, and a night market. Aside from the dragon dances, the star of the show though is artist Dan Lam, whose drippy, colorful sculptures have been exhibited at Nasher Sculpture Center. Come see her work at the “Dragon’s Throne” immersive experience, located in The Homestead area at Grandscape. Learn more here.
Lunar New Year Celebration at Galleria Dallas
Where: Galleria Dallas, 13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas
When: Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 2pm
Cost: Free admission
What to know: Galleria Dallas is installing nearly 250 enormous, red lanterns over its ice skating rink. They’ll be up by February 1 for sure, and you can see them every day through the 20th, but the best time to come is Saturday, February 10 to you can watch both the HD Lion Dance Foundation’s dragon dance and drumming, and join the Showtime Saturdays near the Children’s Play Place. Learn more here.
Southlake Spring Festival
Where: Southlake Town Square, 1400 Main Street
When: Saturday, February 10, 2024; 11am–4pm
Cost: Free admission
What to know: This third annual fest showcases Southlake’s growing diversity and hospitality, celebrating East and Southeast Asian cultures. THey’ve got loads of food vendors and performances planned, but check out their Facebook page for more details as they’re announced. Learn more here.
Chinese New Year Richardson
Where: DFW Chinatown, 400 N. Greenville Avenue, Richardson
When: Sunday, February 11, 2024 from 11am–3pm
Cost: Free admission
What to know: Located in the Richardson CORE District—known as the the epicenter of Asian food culture in the Dallas metro area—this fest has it all. Head to this one in particular to try your hand at the origami and calligraphy crafts, and let the kids run wild inside the Kids’ Zone. Check out their performance schedule so you’re sure not to miss the show of dragon dancers, martial artists and K-Pop performers. Learn more here.
Find more family-friendly special events at dfwchild.com/calendar.
Photo courtesy of Cali-Saigon Mall
