Gallop Into Lunar New Year With Red Envelopes of Good Fortune

Lunar New Year is here and in 2026, the celebration rides in with the Year of the Horse, bringing a whole lot of good fortune with it. The holiday begins on Tuesday, February 17, and the festivities will culminate in the Lantern Festival on March 3. Celebrated around the world, Lunar New Year is all about fresh starts. Homes are cleaned to sweep away bad luck, families gather around elaborate meals, and cities light up with red, symbolizing prosperity, joy, and protection. According to legend, the color red and loud celebrations were used to scare away Nian, a mythical beast believed to bring misfortune, making way for a lucky new year ahead.

This Year of the Horse brings an adventurous energy, perfect for gathering, feasting, and leaning into the joy of the season. The team at TheListAreYouOnIt.com has been busy corralling every festive meals and cultural celebrations. Scroll on for our growing list of festivities, and don't miss all the events happening, here.

Moon Rabbit: Pastry Chef Susan Bae's (World's 50 Best North America Best Pastry Chef and James Beard Foundation '23 & '24 Finalist) New Year “Grape” quả nho dessert offers a look into Vietnamese tradition, Taoist philosophy, as well as her personal memories. In a five-fruit tray prepared for the Vietnamese traditionTết, grapes represent the Water element, linked to Âm (Yin); symbolizing renewal and harmony. These ideas shape the culture of her all-female pastry team; as much as they do on the plate. Made with Vietnamese yogurt mousse, black sesame sponge, and grape sorbet the ingredients come together with verjus-compressed fruit and sesame caramel. 927 F Street NW; moonrabbitdc.com

Tiger Fork: Hong Kong-inspired Tiger Fork in Blagden Alley is once again celebrating Lunar New Year (2026 is the year of the Horse), from February 17-28. Tiger Fork will serve a special a la carte menu of symbolic Cantonese dishes for dine-in, each representing a specific virtue to bring good luck for the coming year. Also on the celebratory agenda: traditional Lion Dance performances on February 21 to bring prosperity and good fortune in 2026. In addition to most of Tiger Fork’s regular menu offerings, Executive Chef Simon Lam has created several dish specials, each designed to bring good luck in the New Year (traditional examples include dumplings symbolizing wealth, noodles for long life, and fish bringing surplus). These dishes ($15-$75) will be available a la carte during daily dinner service until February 28, plus during lunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Throughout the celebration, dine-in guests will receive a traditional red envelope with their checks. During Lunar New Year, bright red envelopes are traditionally gifted to friends and family. Guests can fill them with money, gifted to symbolize good wishes and luck for the new year ahead. 922 N Street NW; tigerforkdc.com 

Montgomery Mall: Westfield Montgomery is proud to partner again with the Chinese Culture and Community Center (CCACC) to welcome the Year of the Horse. The Lunar New Year celebration kicks off on Sunday, February 15th with traditional performances and cultural activations stations throughout the center and remarks from community leaders from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Lantern Festival celebration will close out Lunar New Year festivities with another day of performances and activations on Saturday, February 28th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Celebratory events throughout this time include Spring Roll Making Workshop with Kapow Buddy on Sunday, February 22; Kids Clay Workshop with Nan Xiang on February 24–26; Cardio Barre: Sweat & Shop with Fabletics on February 28; LEGO® Lunar New Year Gifts, and a Community Drive & Thank‑You Offer - donate gently used clothing at Westfield Montgomery’s drop‑off to benefit Interfaith Works, which serves 35,000 Montgomery County residents annually with clothing, household items, food, emergency shelter, supportive housing, and employment services. Donors will receive a red envelope with exclusive offers from participating retailers. Additionally, spend $50 in‑center on February 21–22 and receive a personalized Lunar New Year greeting card hand‑crafted by a calligraphy specialist. Pick up at Level 2, outside Apple. To learn more, click here.  

Mecha Noodle Bar: On February 17, the first 100 guests at Mecha in Union Market will receive an $11 gift card tucked inside a traditional red li xi envelope. The restaurant will be decorated for the holiday, and from February 17 through March 3, they're running three special menu items, including Spicy Chicken Tan Tan: a cult favorite that people ask about all year long; Yuzu-Lime Panna Cotta: vanilla panna cotta with yuzu-lime curd, graham cracker crumble, and torched marshmallow, and Liquid Gold Daiquiri: tropical tastes with Planteray rum blend, Midori, Rockey's Botanical, lime, and rich demerara. The Fire Horse year is all about bold energy, momentum, and adventure. mechanoodlebar.com