Downtown Edmonds comes alive this weekend with the sights, sounds, vibes, and heartwarming, multi-cultural cuisine of Lunar New Year Edmonds in the Year of the Rabbit — under the floating, vibrant awning of red, good-luck lanterns.

Edmonds’ second annual celebration kicks off on Saturday, January 21st, the day before the official start of 2023’s Lunar New Year, with Lunar New Year Storytime for the littles, a traditional lion dance, a kung fu demonstration from Master David Leong’s Northwest Kung Fu and Fitness, and breakdancing, starring Seattle’s own international superstar hip-hop crew, Massive Monkees.

Edmonds Library on 650 Main St. hosts its fun, interactive Lunar New Year Storytime, 9 a.m.-9:45 a.m. Children up to preschool-age will get to share stories and sing tunes about Lunar New Year, as well as learn a few Mandarin words.

Performances take place in Centennial Plaza, 5th Ave. N. and Bell St., 11 a.m.-1 p.m., with Mayor Mike Nelson scheduled to give a few words of welcome at 11:45 a.m.

The Saturday Winter Market will also open for the season, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., not far from the performances, on 121 5th Ave. N. The City of Edmonds’ outdoor market features over 80 vendors with their harvests, crafts, and lunisolar calendar-themed, family-fun activities. Not to mention an extended Lunar New Year menu of deliciousness, just for the occasion.

Both the Lunar New Year Edmonds celebration and Winter Market successfully debuted last year.

Local downtown restaurants and bars join in the festivities with their own weekend specials.

Charcoal’s busting out with the Kung Fu Lollipop, a luscious concoction swimming in Ming River Baijiu sorghum spirits (from China’s Sichuan province), St-Germain elderflower liqueur, Oolong syrup, and lemon.

Santa Fe Mexican Grill & Cantina’s got its White Rabbit cocktail.

Feedme Hospitality & Restaurant Group’s signature hot spots, including Shore Pine Coffee & Gelato, Salt & Iron, and The MAR•KET, are set to serve some exceptional dishes for good luck, good health, good fortune, and good times.

A sampling… Bar Dojo in Five Corners’ Black Bean Garlic Green Beans, Pork Dumplings with XO Sauce, Grandma’s Braised Beef, Lotus Root Tempura, Honey Adobo Rock Fish, and Star Anise Shrub; The MAR•KET Fishmonger & Eatery’s Pork and Shrimp Dumplings and Korean Brisket Soup; Salt & Iron’s New Year Pork Belly Risotto and “The Year of the Rabbit” cocktails; Fire & The Feast’s Longevity Noodles; Shore Pine Coffee & Gelato’s Hong Kong Egg Tarts.

Don’t forget to hit up the merchants along International District’s Hwy. 99 for dim sum, more dumplings and noodles (T&T Seafood, Dumpling Generation, Dong Ting Chun, Wonton Noodle House, Harvest Wonton Noodle), and all the fixings to prepare Lunar New Year feasts at home.

Kuzma’s Fish Market sells fresh seafood for poke and sashimi platters, 99 Ranch Market’s pocket food court does a mean roast duck, and Boo Han Oriental Market’s always handy for grab-and-go Korean gimbap (sushi) and the makings of soothing, age-old Lunar New Year comfort — a steaming pot of tteokguk, or mochi soup.

Check out Whitney Popa’s “The Second Annual Edmonds Lunar New Year” at Edmonds Downtown Alliance (Ed!) for specifics on some more of the planned food and drink specials going on.

As you take it all in, take a moment to appreciate the Madrona K-8 student art on display at various downtown storefront windows and over at Brigid’s Bottleshop in Salish Crossing near the waterfront.

The Lunar New Year Edmonds event originated out of Edmonds Diversity Commission members’ vision to support diversity and representation in city-recognized holiday celebrations. A planning group made up of community members and business owners was formed and the first annual celebration launched in January 2022 in the middle of an ongoing Covid-19 pandemic — to rave reviews.

The popularity of the celebration brought it back, along with the formation of a new, non-profit, Multicultural Association of Edmonds (MAE), with an important mission to continue fostering and encouraging such diverse community representation in the traditions and holidays Edmonds celebrates.

“We are so excited for our second Lunar New Year Edmonds celebration! Building on the awesome attendance of last year and the support for our Harvest Moon Gala — we can't wait to come together again in celebration of community and culture,” enthused MAE Board President Karin Butler in a press release.

Lunar New Year follows the cycle of the moon and runs for generally 15 days.

Feedme Hospitality images c/o Madi Ingham.