Ông Địa, or "the Earth God," performs as part of the Lunar New Year Festival Jan. 25 at The Atrium in Old Town.
A slithering hiss was heard as Alexandria ushered in the Year of the Snake with the third annual Lunar New Year festival Jan. 25 at the Atrium in Old Town.
In 2025, the Lunar New Year began Jan. 29, closing out the previous Year of the Dragon. Also known as the Spring Festival, the holiday celebrates the beginning of a new year based on the lunar calendar. The holiday is typically celebrated for the first 15 days of the lunar calendar. During this time it is traditional to honor household and heavenly deities as well as ancestors. The highlight of the Spring Festival is the Lantern Festival, which happens on the 15th and final day which will be Feb. 12.
Now in its third year, the Old Town festival brought together local Asian American vendors and featured performances and cuisine celebrating Asian American culture.
“Since we started the ALX Lunar New Year Celebration three years ago, our goal has always been simple: to bring people together to celebrate the Lunar New Year and give local AAPI small businesses a free platform to showcase their products and services,” said organizer Minh Pham. “This year, we were blown away when we saw more than 2,200 people join us to celebrate the Year of the Snake at the Atrium. Watching this event grow — not just in size but also in the meaningful connections and sense of community it fosters — has been an incredible experience.”
Cultural performances included the traditional Lion Dance as well as Korean, Indonesian, and Vietnamese entertainment.
Ông Địa, or "the Earth God" widely regarded as the patron of good fortune in Vietnamese culture, made an appearance. Ông Địa symbolizes luck, prosperity, and protection.
The festival also included craft activities, face painting featuring Chinese zodiac animals, and a photography station with Vietnamese traditional clothes. A Lunar New Year Market showcased local small businesses.
“From the original idea of showcasing how different Asian American communities celebrate, we are so grateful to witness how the ALX Lunar New Year celebration has become a space where people of all backgrounds can come together, share traditions, learn from each other, and simply enjoy the magic of the New Year,” Pham said. “As we welcome the Year of the Snake, we look forward to continuing this tradition, fostering deeper connections, and celebrating the beauty of our diverse community for years to come.”
Attendees enjoy the traditional Lunar New Year entertainment Jan. 25 at The Atrium.