Embassy of China Gala Evening: Dinner, Live Music, & Dance Performances

A delightful evening of Chinese cuisine, culture, music, & dance. Celebrate the beauty, traditions, and cultural richness of China.
About this Event

Embassy of China Gala Evening Celebration of Chinese Festivals: Dinner, Live Music, & Dance Performances ~ Discover the Joy of the Dragon Boat Festival

Join the International Club of DC for a very special evening at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China as we celebrate the beauty, traditions, and cultural richness of China through an engaging festival experience featuring dinner, live music, dance performances, cultural activities, and hands-on demonstrations.

This special embassy evening presents a wonderful opportunity to experience Chinese culture in one of Washington’s most distinguished diplomatic settings. Guests will enjoy an immersive celebration inspired by the Dragon Boat Festival, one of China’s most meaningful traditional festivals.

Chinese Folk Music Performance

Enjoy an enchanting performance of Chinese folk music featuring traditional Chinese instruments such as erhu (fiddle), dizi (flute), yangqin (dulcimer) and guzheng (harp), etc.

Purple Bamboo Melody - "A playful folk tune from the Yangtze River Delta. It captures the rhythmic charm and elegance of Southern China’s historic water towns."

Jasmine Flower - "China’s most iconic melody, celebrating the beauty of nature. This timeless song was famously featured in Puccini’s opera, Turandot."

The Sky Road - "A tribute to the world’s highest railway reaching the Tibetan Plateau. The music reflects the majesty of the 'Roof of the World' and a spirit of hope."

Discover the Joy of the Dragon Boat Festival

Originating in ancient China, the Dragon Boat Festival honors loyalty, promotes well-being, and celebrates the spirit of community and resilience. Traditionally observed around the summer solstice, the festival is associated with warding off illness, welcoming good fortune, and gathering with family and friends. Festive customs include eating zongzi, sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves and, of course, racing colorful dragon boats. The drums on the dragon boats are said to chase away misfortune, while zongzi symbolize unity, happiness, and fresh starts.

Hands-On Arts and Crafts

Throughout the evening, you will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of cultural activities and demonstrations, including learning how to make zongzi, small crossbody bags, braided bracelets, paper cutting, and calligraphy.

You will also have the opportunity to try on Hanfu, traditional Chinese clothing, enjoy face painting, take photos with a panda mascot, write wishes on a Wishing Wall, as well as learn more about study in China, Chinese culture and tourism programs, and convenient entry policies for travel to China.

Experience an evening of Chinese culture, hospitality, music, dance, food, tradition, and celebration as we gather for a memorable embassy event honoring the joy and meaning of the Dragon Boat Festival.

Agenda

6:30 PM Admission

Welcome remarks and diplomatic greeting
Cultural program (Folk music & dance performances)
Dinner buffet of Chinese delicacies

9:00 PM event ends

The Chinese Embassy will make its best efforts to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all our guests. For this purpose, we request you to kindly follow the visitor guidelines:

Entrance Security Measures:

1.Guests are expected to show their personal ID at the entrance.

2.Guests and their belongings will go through a security check prior to the entry. A metal detector will be used, and bags will be hand-screened by Embassy security staff.

Visitor Etiquette

At the Embassy compound, visitors SHALL NOT:

1. Interrupt the cultural performance or staff on duty;

2. Smoke;

3. Use loud, abusive or otherwise improper language;

4. Perform obscene or indecent acts;

5. Block aisles or climb upon any part of the building;

6. Participate in unwarranted assemblies;

7. Destroy, damage or remove property;

8. Display or carry placards, signs or banners.

Items Not Permitted in the Embassy

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. weapons (guns, knives, chains, spikes, projectiles, tasers, mace/pepper spray);

2. illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia;

3. laser pointers/pens;

4. air horns, sirens, kazoos, whistles;

5. pets (except service animals);

6. balloons;

7. suitcase or bags larger than 17” x 12”(40cm x 30cm);

8. non-collapsible umbrellas;

9. other items deemed inappropriate by the Embassy Security Staff.