Tết Celebration brings series of Vietnamese American cultural events to Seattle’s Little Saigon, celebrating the Lunar New Year.
While Lunar New Year is celebrated globally, Tết holds great significance in Vietnamese culture. It is a tradition that symbolizes renewal, family, and cultural identity. Tết marks the arrival of spring in the lunar calendar and is a moment to pay respects to ancestors, express gratitude, and usher in good fortune for the coming year.
Friends of Little Sài Gòn’s Tết Celebration is a series of Vietnamese American cultural events in Seattle’s Little Saigon, taking place from Friday, February 6th, to Sunday, February 8th, at Little Saigon Creative & Hoa Mai Park to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Little Saigon is the social, economic, and cultural hub of the Vietnamese community in the Puget Sound region.
About Tết
In Vietnamese culture, each lunar year is associated with 12 animals in the Vietnamese zodiac: Tý (Rat), Sửu (Water buffalo), Dần (Tiger), Mão (Cat), Thìn (Dragon), Tỵ (Snake), Ngọ (Horse), Mùi (Goat), Thân (Monkey), Dậu (Rooster), Tuất (Dog), and Hợi (Pig).
The Year of the Fire Horse begins on February 17th, 2026, and is associated with energy, freedom, movement, and progress. The horse itself symbolizes strength, perseverance, and independence in Vietnamese culture. It is often associated with travel, ambition, and forward momentum, as horses carry people across distances and represent the ability to move boldly toward the future. Folks born during the year of the horse are seen as charismatic, energetic, and strong-willed. The fire element represents passion, vitality, creativity, and transformation.
The year of the Fire Horse is a great year for bold action, celebration, pursuing new opportunities, and embracing positive change!
About the Events
Throughout the three-day weekend, all ages of community members come together to honor tradition, creativity, and community.
“It’s an opportunity for younger people like me to seek community,” said FLS Arts & Culture Specialist, Felix Tran. “Anyone can attend, even if they’re not Vietnamese. We put a lot of intentionality into making events that are fun for everyone but also highlight the culture.”
“My favorite part about planning is seeing how many we can get involved. Every year, we attract an increasing number of people to the celebration. For our first Tet Celebration, we collaborated with the Sea Vinyl Society – it’s our third year working with them now – and watching them grow and establish a presence in the community has been incredibly rewarding. And now we have the honor of hosting Vietnamese drag queens! It’s so fun to see the intersections of my life here coming together.”
- Dive into vintage vinyl from pre-1975 Saigon with Sea Vinyl Society and drag queen Viper Fengz, at Saigon Spin on Friday, February 6th, from 7:00 – 9:00 PM at Little Saigon Creative. Get tickets here.
- Explore Tết Market with local artists and makers showcasing Lunar New Year goods and art at Little Saigon Creative on Saturday, February 7th, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
- Enjoy outdoor performances, music, drag bingo, and an interactive floral installation with free family portraits at Tết in the Park on Saturday, February 7th, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
- Get hands-on experience and make your own zine during the Asian American Zine Fest Workshop: explore storytelling and creative expression on Saturday, February 7th, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Free event with limited seats. RSVP here.
- Learn how to make a beloved traditional Vietnamese dish from local award-winning Vietnamese chefs during the Bánh Tét Workshop on Sunday, February 8th. Book a session here.
What’s new at Hoa Mai Park in 2026
Thanks to special support from Seattle Parks and Recreation, this year’s Tết Celebration will include programming in Hoa Mai Park. Community members who have come to the Tết Celebration in past years can expect an all-new outdoor experience called Tết in the Park.
Happening concurrently with Tết Market, Tết in the Park is a free outdoor event with music, activities, including drag bingo, and family photography for an all-ages audience.
Our lineup of performers includes the following local Vietnamese and Asian American artists:
- Mak Fai Kung Fu
- Huong Viet Performing Arts
- Women of Evergreen Washington
- Clara Voyance
- AZN Glo
The event will feature free family portraits by Ronn’s Photobooth with floral decorations by Emerald City Flowers. Tết snacks and decorations are available for purchase by Lam’s Seafood.
More to explore in Little Saigon
In Vietnamese culture, Tết (Lunar New Year) symbolizes renewal, family, and cultural identity. Tết is a time to reflect on the past year and welcome new beginnings, and many families return to Little Saigon to revisit family traditions. We invite you to follow us @flsseattle for more spotlights on businesses to support during Lunar New Year celebrations!
Supporting small businesses and influencing development changes to build a more equitable and affordable future in Little Saigon.
Tết Celebration is supported by 4Culture, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, Seattle Parks and Recreation, and Amazon.
About Friends of Little Sài Gòn
Friends of Little Sài Gòn was established in 2011 at the start of massive redevelopment in Little Saigon. Our mission is to preserve and enhance Little Saigon’s cultural, economic, and historic vitality. Little Saigon is the hub of the Vietnamese American community, where all families and businesses are thriving.
Little Saigon Creative is a nonprofit event space run by Friends of Little Sài Gòn.
Friends of Little Sài Gòn is located inside the Little Saigon Creative:
1227 S. Weller St. Suite A, Seattle, WA 98144
Request Media
High-resolution images are available for press coverage. For additional inquiries or to be added to the press list, contact cookie.trout@flsseattle.org