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Welcome the Year of the Snake with these special events and Asian-inspired restaurants in Nashville
It’s time to say goodbye to the Year of the Dragon and say hello to the Year of the Snake. Usher in the 2025 Lunar New Year with special festivities and enjoy authentic Asian-inspired restaurants all around Nashville and nearby areas.
Events listed are for the 2025 calendar year.
Taking place Friday, Jan. 31, 2025 at 7:30pm at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, join conductor Ming Luke and soloist Susan Yang to hear the featured arrangements of traditional melodies and original music from various notable Chinese composers. In addition to the beautiful concert, spaces all around the Schermerhorn will be filled with festive music, activities, and displays. Arrive early to explore a live bazaar in the lobbies curated by the Asian and Pacific Islanders of Middle Tennessee and the Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville. Tickets for this event are available on the Nashville Symphony website.
Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville is hosting an exquisite Chinese New Year Banquet prepared by the Sichuan Hot Pot & Asian Cuisine Restaurant in Nashville. Join them on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025 for an elegant ten-course meal showcasing the restaurant’s specialties in celebration of the Chinese New Year complete with silent auction. CAAN’s lion dance team will visit and give a special performance. You can purchase tickets for the event through the CAAN website.
Located at Musician’s Corner at Centennial Park, join the Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville (CAAN) for their special Chinese New Year of the Snake Celebration. Having drawn over 1,000 attendees last year, the festival looks to welcome even more guests to a discovery and celebration of Chinese culture. CAAN encourages attendees to wear red to add to the fun. The event is on Feb. 8, 2025 and will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with programming including kids arts & crafts, music and dance performances, and the dragon parade. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Visit the largest lantern festival in the U.S. featuring more than 1,000 custom-made silk lanterns. Zoolumination at Nashville Zoo runs now through Feb. 9, 2025 and is the perfect, family-friendly event to celebrate Lunar New Year. Enter a realm of fantastical beasts and stunning scenes set throughout the zoo. New designs delight all ages with some lanterns 100 feet long and 50 feet high. Enhance your visit with magical skating under lantern-lit skies for $12. Entertainers perform nightlight 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Ajax Turner Amphitheater. Enjoy food and beverages and spot flamingos, Andean bear and Sumatran tigers that stay active past dark
Join Plaza Mariachi in partnership with the Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville at their vibrant Chinese New Year of the Snake Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. A free event open to all ages, it will take place at Plaza Mariachi Music City and starts with arts and crafts for families. Programming includes Chinese naming, paper lantern building, and an exciting performance of a dragon dance, lion dance, music and more. Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Chinese culture through the array of festivities at this wonderful cultural celebration.
When in Nashville be sure to check out Xiao Bao, a top Asian fusion spot located in East Nashville combining a cozy retro diner ambiance with incredibly tasty dishes. A true foodie’s paradise, this restaurant serves a wide variety of hand cooked meals, from the beef fat fries with comeback sauce, dumplings, seared hand-pulled noodles, pork bao, and the much-loved crab rice, everything on their menu tastes unique yet authentic. Quick tip: the food at Xiao Bao is best enjoyed family style, so it’s recommended you order several of their best dishes to share.
If you're looking for an authentic Chinese noodle shop, Meet Noodles in Nashville is the place to be. Specializing in Asian-inspired dishes, this cozy yet modern eatery serves up a variety of flavorful bowls of noodles, savory dumplings, and delicious appetizers that showcase the rich culinary traditions of the East. The festive ambiance, paired with a menu that features both traditional favorites and creative twists, makes Meet Noodles a great choice for those looking to savor the flavors of the Lunar New Year.
Located atop the beautiful and luxurious 1Hotel Nashville, Harriet’s Rooftop overlooks the streets and skyline of Downtown Nashville. This unique, elevated nightlife setting is home to a bar which serves a collection of bespoke libations as well as a kitchen which uses fine seasonal ingredients to craft delicious Asian fusion and regionally inspired dishes. From specialty rolls to hot noodles, and sashimi and nigiri sushi, Harriet’s has an extensive menu full of tasty options just waiting to be savored while enjoying one the best views in town.
Nestled in East Nashville, be sure to check out Noko, an Asian-inspired restaurant which puts a wood-fired spin on traditional dishes. Classic comfort food meals like the Wagyu Brisket and Smoked Gochujang Hot Wings are transformed with elevated twists. Noko also has a seasonally-inspired beverage menu which features non-alcoholic mocktails and a diverse cocktail menu which blends wonderfully with the dishes. Great for intimate date nights or larger group parties, this upscale Asian fusion restaurant will impress with its delicious fare and lovely ambiance.
Inspired by authentic flavors of Southeast Asia, Sunda Nashville looks to blend the cultural food influences from Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, China and more into one completely distinctive and modern menu. Try popular dishes like the Japanese Fried Chicken, Ube Waffles, Steak & Egg, Pork Belly Steamed Buns, and Crispy Brussel Sprouts. They also have some wonderful desserts like their signature Sunda Sundae and Molten Chocolate Cake. Join Sunda from Jan. 22-Feb 9, 2025, for Lunar New Year! They'll have delicious food specials such as Hong Kong Steak Lo Mein and Whole Red Snapper. Don't miss their Lion Dance Performance on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 7pm. Quick tip: Sunda offers sushi classes where you’ll receive an overview and tutorial of the food and have the chance to roll your own.
A staple of authentic Korean food in Nashville, Korea House is a small family-owned spot where you will be treated to some of the best Korean delicacies. Voted Nashville’s best Korean restaurant in 2023 by the Nashville Scene, you’ll enjoy dishes like galbi (pan fried marinated beef ribs), naengmyun (Korean cold noodle), kimchi fried rice, and soonduboo chigae (spicy tofu stew). With a homey meets hole-in-the-wall ambiance, Korea House is the place to go to taste the diverse flavors of Korean culture in Nashville.
Indulge in authentic Vietnamese dishes at Love Peace & Pho in Nashville. Try some of their famous Vietnamese broths which are cooked and simmered for over 20 hours and provide a blend of lighter & sweeter themes representative of different regions of Vietnam. Enjoy your meal in their cozy space, where the aroma of sizzling spices and the warm glow of ambient lighting create an atmosphere that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating the Lunar New Year, enjoying a casual evening, or simply savoring a meal with friends, Love Peace & Pho sets the stage for unforgettable moments. As they welcome the Lunar New Year, Love Peace & Pho invites you to join them for a festive celebration filled with delicious flavors and a joyful atmosphere. They even have a special giveaway ending Feb. 2, 2025 where posting a picture of your meal at the restaurant on social media can earn you some gift cards. Visit their Instagram page to learn more.
Dumpling House in Nashville is a hidden gem that offers an authentic taste of Asian comfort food, making it an ideal spot to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Known for its handmade dumplings, the restaurant serves up a variety of savory fillings, from classic pork and chive to unique vegetarian options, all prepared fresh daily. The warm, casual atmosphere and deliciously crafted dishes create a welcoming space to enjoy festive meals with loved ones.
Located in Nashville’s trendy Germantown neighborhood, Steam Boys offers a unique and flavorful dining experience that’s perfect for kicking off the Year of the Snake. Specializing in Taiwanese-style steamed buns and dumplings, this vibrant spot combines bold flavors with a modern twist. From their signature bao buns filled with savory meats and vegetables to their hand-crafted dumplings, every dish is a perfect blend of authenticity and creativity. The casual yet trendy ambiance makes it an inviting place to gather with friends and family to enjoy a festive meal.
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