DC celebrates the return of Lunar New Year Parade in Chinatown

Dragon dancers, marching band performers and spectators filled the streets of Chinatown on Sunday afternoon for D.C.’s Annual Lunar New Year Parade.

People give gifts to a performer following the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 22, 2023. — 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

The parade returned to the District for the first time since January 2020 after being canceled for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Lunar New Year this year ushers in the Year of the Rabbit — which represents longevity, peace, prosperity and wealth as rabbits are characterized as witty, quick-minded and ingenious.

The parade was organized by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of Washington, D.C. (CCBA), in partnership with the Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA).

Spectator Chi Ting said he was excited to be getting a chance to finally see the parade.

“I just wanted to be participating in the celebration of the Lunar New Year,” said Ting.

Lei Guo McCabe made the trip into the District with her family to watch the festivities.

“We just wanted to have some celebration, to feel the festival,” she said.

D.C. police said in a statement to WTOP that after the shooting in Monterey Park, California, they were closely monitoring Lunar New Year events throughout the District and would be increasing patrols in areas where they were happening.

A participant dances during the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

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A participant dances during the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 22, 2023. — 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

A participant dances during the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Participants dance ahead of the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

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Participants dance ahead of the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 22, 2023. — 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Participants dance ahead of the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

A participant marches during the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

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A participant marches during the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 22, 2023. — 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

A participant marches during the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Participants perform during the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

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Participants perform during the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 22, 2023. — 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Participants perform during the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Participants march during the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

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Participants march during the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 22, 2023. — 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Participants march during the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

A child marches in the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

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A child marches in the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 22, 2023. — 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

A child marches in the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Onlookers watch performers on stage following the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

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Onlookers watch performers on stage following the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 22, 2023. — 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Onlookers watch performers on stage following the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

A participant wears rabbit ears during the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

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A participant wears rabbit ears during the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 22, 2023. — 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

A participant wears rabbit ears during the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Performers play music following the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

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Performers play music following the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 22, 2023. — 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Performers play music following the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Members of a marching band twirl flags during the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

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Members of a marching band twirl flags during the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 22, 2023. — 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Members of a marching band twirl flags during the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

A participant waves flags from the US and Taiwan during the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

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A participant waves flags from the U.S. and Taiwan during the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 22, 2023. — 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

A participant waves flags from the US and Taiwan during the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Confetti flies over a performer following the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

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Confetti flies over a performer following the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 22, 2023. — 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Confetti flies over a performer following the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

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Children wear rabbit ears while watching a dragon dance prior to the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 22, 2023. — 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Children wear rabbit ears while watching a dragon dance prior to the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Participants gather for the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

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Performers dance on stage following the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 22, 2023. — 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP)

Participants gather for the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

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Performers dance on stage following the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Onlookers watch the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

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Onlookers watch the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., on Jan. 22, 2023. — 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP)

Onlookers watch the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

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People give gifts to a performer following the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. – 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

People give gifts to a performer following the Lunar New Year Parade in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. - 2023 is the year of the rabbit in the Chinese horoscope. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Stetson Miller

Stetson Miller is an anchor and reporter for WTOP. He has worked in TV newsrooms for the last several years in New York, Baltimore, Washington and Charleston, SC.