TAP-DC Lunar New Year Banquet 2026
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR CELEBRATING WITH US!
Taiwanese American Professionals (TAP-DC) invites you to our biggest night of the year: The 2026 Lunar New Year Banquet. 🏮
Join us as we welcome in the year of the Fire Horse! 🔥🐎 We’re gathering at the beautiful historic Friends Meeting of Washington building by Dupont Circle for a night of reunion, culture, and celebration. This is a family-friendly event for all ages.
📅 When: Saturday, March 7 | 6 – 10 PM
📍 Where: Event Spaces at Friends Meeting of Washington (2111 Decatur Place NW, Washington, DC 20008)
🚇 Metro: Dupont Circle (Red Line) is a ~7 minute walk away
🅿️ Parking: Nearby parking garages are recommended, as on-street parking is limited and strictly enforced.
🎟️ Tickets: General admission ticket page on Eventbrite (check availability)
General admission does not include assigned seating. Priority seating is reserved for sponsors and VIP guests.
The venue is ADA accessible. The main entrance is located on Decatur Place NW, by the intersection with Florida Ave NW, between the stone meeting house and the red brick building (photo above). Check-in will be just inside the glass doors.
Please have your Eventbrite tickets ready (on your phone or printed) to ensure a smooth check-in. If you were not issued a digital ticket, simply check in by name at the registration desk.
Schedule (Tentative)
🟢 6:00 PM Doors open. Crafts and cocktail hour begins.
🍽️ 7:00 PM Welcome and buffet dinner begins.
✨ 8:00 PM Cultural performances and program.
🤫 9:00 PM Silent auction ends.
👋 9:40 PM - 10:00 PM Closing remarks and event concludes.
🎉 10:30 PM - Late Afterparty at Nero nearby. Open to everyone (free to banquet attendees). Sign up on Partiful here.
Our silent auction is now LIVE on Zeffy. Please note that when placing a bid, under the optional section, you can select Other.
The crafts station (optional) will stay open during the event. Free Wi-Fi will be available.
Performers
Hung Ci
Hung Ci Lion Dance Troupe was founded with a passion for preserving and sharing the vibrant tradition of lion dancing. Our performances blend tradition with a modern flair, captivating audiences of all ages. Our mission is to keep traditional lion dancing alive and thriving. We carry values steeped in history, carrying the art from generation to generation.
TianyI 天藝
Tianyi Dance Team is the University of Maryland’s only traditional Chinese dance group, dedicated to honoring and celebrating Chinese culture through folk and classical dance. As a Chinese cultural dance team, we share the richness and diversity of Chinese heritage with the UMD community and beyond. Through performances that are both graceful and powerful, Tianyi strives to break down cross-cultural barriers and connect audiences through the universal language of dance.
Bing Xia 夏冰
Ms. Bing Xia is an acclaimed guzheng soloist and educator, widely recognized both in China and throughout the Washington, D.C. area. She began studying the guzheng at the age of eight and went on to receive formal training at Nanjing Normal University under Professors Yan Aihua and Tu Yongmei.
Since moving to the United States, she has performed at some of the nation’s most prestigious venues, including the Smithsonian Freer Gallery of Art, the Kennedy Center, and a wide range of cultural festivals and institutions.
Through both performance and teaching, Ms. Xia continues to elevate and share the beauty of traditional Chinese music with audiences and students around the world.
Dinner
🍽️ A 12-dish buffet dinner featuring Taiwanese and Chinese cuisine.
🍷 Drinks included (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
Vegetarian options will be available. If you have food allergies, please contact info@tap-dc.org with your dietary restrictions.
Dress Code
🔴 Attire: Lucky Red, cultural, or cocktail (suggested)
Though not required, attendees are encouraged to wear festive attire. That may look like clothing or accessories in a Lucky Red hue, traditional cultural wear, or cocktail attire.
⚠️👠 Please note that stiletto heels are not permitted due to the venue's sensitive cork floors.
Photography
⚠️📸 Notice of Filming and Photography: By entering the event, you consent to being photographed, filmed and/or otherwise recorded. Your entry constitutes your consent to such recording and to any use, in any and all media, of your appearance, voice and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with this event. Please notify TAP-DC volunteers and/or the photographer if you would like to opt-out.
Our Lunar New Year Sponsors
Interested in sponsoring us? Please contact us at finance@tap-dc.org for details.
Jade Sponsors
OCAC
The Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) is dedicated to serving the global Taiwanese diaspora. OCAC bridges the gap between Taiwan and its overseas communities by promoting cultural exchange, supporting heritage education, and fostering deep connections between Taiwanese Americans and their homeland.
Community Supporters
Amore Eats
Amore Eats is a hidden gem serving authentic Taiwanese cuisine in Rockville, Maryland. Located inside a gas station, this humble spot is beloved for its rich flavors. Favorites like popcorn chicken, beef noodle soup, and braised pork belly rice capture the spirit of Taiwan’s vibrant street food culture.
D.C. Sake cō.
D.C. Sake cō. was founded by Reiko Hirai in June 2020, becoming DC's first local e-commerce platform dedicated exclusively to Japanese beverages. As a woman-owned business built on collaboration, community, and connection, D.C. Sake cō helps bring people together through thoughtfully curated sake and shared cultural experiences.
Gong Cha
Founded in 2006 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Gong cha has grown from a single shop into a global brand with over 2,100 locations. Gong cha blends tradition and innovation to deliver exceptional quality and unforgettable tea experiences worldwide, opening hearts and minds to how tea is meant to be.
Lady M
Lady M is a global leader in luxury confections, renowned for its Signature Mille Crêpes cakes. Since opening our first boutique in New York City in 2004, we have expanded worldwide, blending the artistry of French patisserie with the refined elegance of Japanese aesthetics.
Lost Generation
Lost Generation Brewing Company is a D.C.-based, husband-and-wife-founded brewery built on craftsmanship and community. Specializing in high-quality IPAs, lagers, and barrel-aged programs, they partner with local artists and charities to foster reciprocity. Every pour is an invitation to belong, so let’s raise a glass together.
Milky
Milky is reinventing lactose intolerance, with a sleek, convenient design that easily fits in your pocket or wallet. Milky Ultra is 7X stronger than Lactaid and engineered to be only 4mm thin, so you can enjoy dairy without discomfort wherever you are.
Oh So Easy!
Oh So Easy! is the first globally-inspired baking mix brand in the USA, created to shake up tradition with desserts that celebrate the richness of a multicultural America.We partner with chefs of diverse backgrounds to reimagine beloved bakes with flavors rooted in heritage and third-culture experiences.
Shyy Photography
Professional photography for brands and milestones. I specialize in capturing the essence of your story through high-end commercial imagery and dynamic event coverage. From corporate functions to creative collaborations, I document the energy and craft of every occasion, delivering polished visuals that honor your brand’s unique heritage and vision!
Skillette
A strong foundation in cooking transforms the way you live. At Skillette, we believe cooking makes life better in every way. Building a true skill set in the kitchen changes how you move through daily life. You’re not just learning recipes; you’re learning a language of generosity, creativity, and care.
Target
With stores in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the Target Team collaborates with partners around the world for one important reason: To help all families discover the joy of everyday life. Target is the place to find affordable, everyday essentials, fun, ease and inspiration at every turn.
Teaism
Founded in 1996, Teaism is a group of teahouse-restaurants in Washington, D.C., serving high-quality loose-leaf teas and healthy meals inspired by Asia’s tea-growing regions. Stop in for baked treats and tea, enjoy a wholesome meal cooked from scratch, or explore 50+ varieties of tea to brew at home.
Yun Hai
Yun Hai 雲海 offers premium ingredients for Taiwanese cooking, sourcing directly from artisans, farms, and soy sauce breweries in Taiwan. Terrain, technique, history, and humanity come together as Yun Hai helps small Taiwanese businesses prepare their product for an eager American audience, bringing visibility to the culture, cuisine, and independence of Taiwan.