How to celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse in Tacoma’s Lincoln District
Tacoma’s Lincoln District will hold its annual Lunar New Year celebration on Sunday, Feb. 22.
The 2026 event honors the Year of the Horse, a symbol in the Chinese zodiac of independence and resilience. Corresponding with the lunar calendar, each year is defined by one of 12 animals and one of five elements — wood, fire, earth, metal and water. This time it’s fire, which may amplify the horse’s traits.
The last Fire Horse year occurred 60 years ago, in 1966. In Tacoma, it will be the 36th festival on the streets of the Lincoln District.
The city is known to cherish the occasion with Monkeyshines, little glass collectibles forged by local artists that volunteers hide in various public places for anyone to find.
Speaking to The News Tribune last year, founders Oanh “Lee Lee” Lam and Lisa Mathusz recalled a desire for community among the hundreds of Vietnamese immigrants who had settled in Tacoma. In the early years, just a few hundred people would file into local businesses; today, thousands fill the street for a block party as lion dancers weave in and out of the multitude of restaurants and shops, firecrackers pop aplenty and kids retrieve lucky red envelopes.
For Lincoln District anchors like Vien Dong, established 1989, Lunar New Year is both an opportunity to commemorate culture and traditions as well as to reflect on “the community that continues to support us year after year,” as owners Kevin and Linh Le wrote on Instagram and Facebook in anticipation.
Head to the intersection of South 38th and South Yakima from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday. The street will be closed to traffic to make way for vendors offering prepared foods, drinks including coffee and bubble tea, and various crafts and vintage wares.
The Lincoln District business association spearheads the organizing with support from Tacoma Sunday Market and neighborhood businesses, many of which will run specials for the day. The event is free and family friendly.
Expect crowds on Sunday at restaurants on South 38th Street and surrounding streets, from M to Tacoma Avenue, including:
- Taqueria La Michoacana
- La Ca 38th
- Cafe La Vie
- M&K Bakery & Deli
- Lucky Supermarket
- Hong Kong Supermarket
- Vien Dong
- Nana Thai Street Food
- Lunar’s Pho
- VK Viet Kitchen
- Dragon’s Crawfish
- Tho Thuong BBQ
- Flying Boots & Wings
- Dragon Cafe
- Buddy’s Chicken & Waffles
- Taqueria La Fondita
- East Asia Supermarket
Lincoln District Lunar New Year
- When: Sunday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Where: South 38th Street from South Thompson to Tacoma Avenue South
- What to know: free, family-friendly block party with street performances, live music, dancing and specials at neighborhood businesses, plus a pop-up market with food, drinks, vintage and crafts
- Parking/Transportation: limited street parking or lot at Lincoln High School; area serviced by Pierce Transit bus routes 45, 48, 54, 1 and Stream Community Line
- Event Updates: facebook.com/LincolnDistrictTacoma and instagram.com/lincolndistricttacoma