Families living in and around the nation’s capital have a lot to look forward to in 2025—from celebrating Lunar New Year, a holiday close to the hearts of one of Washington, D.C.’s largest immigrant communities, to a multi-year impact study for a museum known for its community participation and work with nearby schools.
We look back on a fall youth sports opportunity with the Washington Commanders to gear up for what the NFL football team might have in store for its youngest fans this year.
Celebrate Lunar New Year
The Year of the Snake begins Jan. 29, and a number of Asian communities in the DMV are celebrating this winter.
For families looking to engage with the culture and traditions of those celebrating Lunar New Year, an early opportunity comes at the Winter Lantern Festival at Tysons Corner, open through Jan.12, with dazzling lantern displays, food and drink, a gift shop, live entertainment, fun for kids with light-up swings and a bouncy house and events every Thursday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Tysons, Virginia.
On the other side of the DMV, in Rockville, the City of Rockville’s government is putting on a free event at Rockville High School from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 1 that brings together a mix of performances, interactive exhibits, craft making and snacks. The event is organized in partnership with the Rockville Asian Pacific American Task Force. Groups interested in participating must submit applications by Jan. 10 on rockvillemd.gov.
Perhaps the most well known Lunar New Year celebration in the area is the DC Chinese Lunar New Year Parade, held each year rain or shine by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Washington, DC and the DC Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs. This year, at 2 p.m. Feb. 2, the parade will once again draw in thousands, as it has annually since the 1950s. Its route loops around Capital One Arena, down H and 8th streets.
Local Museum to Participate in Multi-Year Social Impact Study
The College Park Aviation Museum, in College Park, Maryland, was selected for the Museum Social Impact in Practice Cohort by the American Alliance of Museums, an honor that puts it among 40 museums from across the country that will engage in a multi-year study to measure and analyze their impact on the community.
The museum, site of the world’s oldest continuously operating airport—which
was founded in the early 1900s by two brothers, last name Wright—is a Smithsonian affiliate that is known for its educational programs, community events, partnerships with nearby schools and hands-on approach to learning.
“As we continue to engage purposefully and meaningfully with our visitors and local communities, the cohort will provide us with resources and professional guidance from the best in the field to assess the true impact of our work and further enhance our practice,” says Dr. Nadine Boksmati, director of the museum, in a news release.
The museum was also recognized this winter as having a “Maryland First,” a designation recognized by the Maryland Two Fifty Commission for having the oldest of a type of institution in the state. The oldest airport in the world, and state, will be included in a digital collection curated by the commission that is meant to celebrate the unique history of Maryland as the country approaches its 250th anniversary.
Wale Hosts Football Clinic
The Washington Commanders recently brought out legendary D.C. rapper Wale for a football clinic in Prince George’s County, in collaboration with the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission and Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation.
The special event was held at Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex in Landover, Maryland, and saw the Grammy-nominated Quince Orchard High School Graduate Olubowale Akintimehin—or, Wale—interact with kids and give hands-on instruction alongside staff from the Commanders and Parks and Rec Department. For two hours, kids got to run around and play pigskin with each other and a local legend, as well as representatives of the surging Commanders.
Akintimehin is best known for his transition from radio-friendly anthems to more artistic hip-hop releases while advocating for the wellness of underprivileged communities in the DMV the whole time. He can often be seen on the sidelines or in the stands of Washington Commanders games, and partners with them for community service regularly.
