Pig Day Out at the Pike Place Market takes place March 1 and the rescheduled (because of the snow) Lunar New Year events celebrating the Year of the Pig will be March 2 in Seattle's Chinatown International District and Bellevue Square.
Weekend Highlight
There’s an arty new pig in town and she’s making her debut at Pig Day Out at the Pike Place Market on Friday, March 1.
Named Golden Pearl, she’s a fiberglass stunt double for the Market’s famous Rachel the Piggy Bank sculpture, enhanced with Chinese art symbolizing prosperity, good luck and longevity. She’s ready to travel the Seattle area in the next few months to meet fans at events hosted by Seattle’s Chinese community to celebrate the Year of the Pig.
Golden Pearl’s fellow pigs Rachel and Billie the Piggy Bank welcome all to the Pike Place Market for Pig Day Out, celebrating National Pig Day and the Year of the Pig, a “Porcine Nexus” that only happens every 12 years. Enjoy pig racing, specials at Market merchants, Chinese Cultural Dancers and a Pig Pen Beer Garden & S’Winery at the MarketFront with views of Elliott Bay and the now-empty Viaduct, all on Friday, March 1. Golden Pearl will be revealed at 12:45 p.m.
Year of the Pig festivities continue Saturday, March 2, at the Lunar New Year Celebration in Seattle’s Chinatown International District and at Bellevue Square, both rescheduled from earlier canceled dates because of the February snow.
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The Year of the Boar/Pig Lunar New Year Celebration in Seattle is the largest Lunar New Year event in the region and a showcase of the diversity and culture of the Asian community. A lion dance and martial-arts demonstration kick off the day’s cultural entertainment, with activities including the 10th annual Costume Contest for the best cultural New Year’s outfit for children, adults and pets at 1 p.m. on the Main Stage. The popular $3 Food Walk at restaurants around the Chinatown International District neighborhood offers takeout bites from cuisines of China, Japan, Vietnam and Thailand, with a prize drawing for anyone collecting stamps by visiting five or more locations.
The Lunar New Year celebration at Bellevue Square features Chinese music, dance and martial-arts performances. A Chinese Lion and Dragon Parade kicks off the Lunar New Spectacular at 2 p.m. with VIP greetings and cultural performances. There’s food samples from local restaurants while supplies last, and activities for kids and families from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Happy New Year of the Pig!
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Pig Day Out
Time:Â noon to 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 1; Golden Pearl reveal, 12:45 p.m.; entertainment including pig races, 1-3:30 p.m.; Pig Pen Beer Garden & S’Winery, 1-7:30 p.m., live music begins 4:30 p.m.
Location: Pike Place Market, First Avenue and Pike Street, Seattle
More info: pikeplacemarketfoundation.org/events/pigday
Lunar New Year Celebration
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2
Location: Chinatown International District, South King Street and Maynard Avenue South and surrounding area, Seattle
More info: cidbia.org/events/lunar-new-year/
Lunar New Year at the Bellevue Collection
Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 2
Location: Bellevue Square Center Court, 575 Bellevue Square, Bellevue
More info: lunarnewyear.bellevuecollection.com