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Ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year in the DC region

By Ana Golden

Celebrated by millions, the Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays in China and other parts of Asia. Festivities begin Wednesday, Jan. 29, and the D.C. area has plenty of events to attend.

The two-week-long celebration marks the change of the zodiac and kicks off the Year of the Snake, which represents wisdom and transformation.

Here’s how you can celebrate in the D.C. region.

D.C.

Maryland

  • The MGM Casino at National Harbor has been decorated with a 28-foot-long slithering snake over a giant lunar gate, jade rock fountains, gold coins and golden bamboo stalks. There’s a free lion dance Sunday, Jan. 26, and the casino’s Ginger restaurant will offer a special menu with fried crab claws and golden egg yolk lobster.
  • In Rockville, an event jam-packed with performances, food, crafts and interactive displays will take place at Rockville High School from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1. Performances will take place between 3:30 and 4:45 p.m. This celebration is free.
  • Tanger National Harbor will hold an event to celebrate the Lunar New Year on Feb. 7 at 5 p.m. A lion dance performance will go on throughout the center, in addition to educational aspects available for people to learn about the traditions of the new year.

Virginia

Massachusetts court hears arguments in lawsuit alleging Meta designed apps to be addictive to kids

By The Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts' highest court heard oral arguments Friday in the state's lawsuit arguing that Meta designed features on Facebook and Instagram to make them addictive to young users. The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, alleges that Meta did this to make a profit and that its actions affected hundreds of thousands of teenagers in Massachusetts who use the social media platforms. “We are making claims based only on the tools that Meta has developed because its own research shows they encourage addiction to the platform in a variety of ways,” said State Solicitor David Kravitz, adding that the state's claim has nothing to do the company's algorithms or failure to moderate content. Meta said Friday that it strongly disagrees with the allegations and is “confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.” Its attorney, Mark Mosier, argued in court that the lawsuit “would impose liabilities for performing traditional publishing functions” and that its actions are protected by the First Amendment.
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