
Seattle's cultural scene is set to be infused with the vibrant celebrations of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year as the Seattle Center Festál series kicks off with the 29th Tết in Seattle on January 25 and 26. The festival, a staple in the city's array of community events, is slated to run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall and Fisher Pavilion. As a gesture of inclusivity, the event is free of charge and encourages family participation, ensuring that the festivities are accessible to the public at large.
This year's Tết in Seattle sees a nod to the Year of the Snake, embracing (albeit not too smoothly) the spiraling journey of transformation and growth. Michelle Tran, Festival Co-Producer, conveyed the ethos of this year's theme, stating, "Like the snake, we are embracing transformation and growth by making new changes and enhancing our long-ongoing programs and content." Her words, picked up by Center Spotlight, reflect the aspiration to breathe fresh air into well-loved traditions.
The two-day event offers a tapestry of activities aimed at celebrating the rich Vietnamese heritage. Among the key attractions are kids and adult eating competitions that promise to delight participants with their friendly, yet competitive edge. The "Bánh Tét" (sticky rice) wrapping competition is also positioned to draw attendees across all ages. As if these weren’t enticing enough, the festival also plays host to special live performances by artists such as Nhu Quynh on Saturday and Lam Anh on Sunday, according to Center Spotlight.
With performances stationed to punctuate the festivities at approximately 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM each day, visitors can experience the vivacity of Lion Dances courtesy of Mak Fai, Gia Đình Phật Tử Vạn Hạnh, and Gia Đình Phật Tử Liễu Quán. To weave (albeit somewhat haphazardly) together the threads of the festival’s offerings, a vast array of local Vietnamese cuisine, a vendor market, fashion show, children's activities, and the enduringly popular annual health fair will return with free services and screenings. These components collectively underscore the event's commitment to family-oriented entertainment and community wellbeing.
Heidi Jackson, Seattle Center Managing Artistic Director of Cultural Programming, shared her enthusiasm for the festival with Center Spotlight, mentioning, "We are excited to open Festál 2025 with Tết in Seattle – Vietnamese Lunar New Year once again as our inaugural event." Jackson further urged the Seattle community to "come out to Seattle Center to enjoy the delicious Vietnamese food and experience the rich and varied traditions that make Tết such a beloved celebration." With Larson's endorsement and the guarantee of engaging cultural performances, the Tết in Seattle Festival is set to provide a memorable and enriching start to the Festál 2025 series, as reported by Center Spotlight.