Mukilteo Celebrates Record-Breaking Lunar New Year Event

City's first-ever Lunar New Year celebration to usher in the Year of the Fire Horse draws over 650 attendees.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The City of Mukilteo hosted its first-ever Lunar New Year celebration on February 12, 2026, to usher in the Year of the Fire Horse. The event at the Rosehill Community Center drew well over 650 people throughout the evening, making it the biggest event ever held by the city's DEI Commission, according to Chair Ilona Van Duser. The celebration featured cultural performances, cuisine, and displays created by local students.

Why it matters

The Lunar New Year celebration marks an important cultural milestone for Mukilteo, as the city looks to strengthen ties with its growing Asian and Asian-American communities. The event also highlights the city's efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion through community-driven initiatives.

The details

The Pointe Elliott Room of Rosehill Community Center was the focal point of the celebration, where attendees enjoyed a variety of cultural performances, including Tai Chi, Chinese traditional dance, Korean dance, and Taekwondo demonstrations. Cultural displays created by students from local schools, as well as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese cuisine, lined the perimeter of the event space.

  • The Lunar New Year celebration took place on February 12, 2026.
  • The Year of the Fire Horse spans from February 17, 2026, to February 5, 2027.

The players

Ilona Van Duser

Chair of the City of Mukilteo's DEI Commission, which hosted the Lunar New Year event.

Simon Bai

DEI Commissioner for the City of Mukilteo.

Joe Marine

Mayor of the City of Mukilteo.

Jason Moon

Council President for the City of Mukilteo.

Tom Jordal

Former Council Vice President for the City of Mukilteo.

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What they’re saying

“My heart is full. My expectations were met and beyond. Thank you, Mukilteo for coming out.”

— Ilona Van Duser, Chair, City of Mukilteo DEI Commission (Lynnwood Times)

“The community support and the turnout, I was quite amazed.”

— Simon Bai, DEI Commissioner, City of Mukilteo (Lynnwood Times)

“It's great to see that when you do something like this that people will come out and support it. For me, the favorite were the drummers. I thought those were great. This is by far the DEI Commission's most successful event.”

— Joe Marine, Mayor, City of Mukilteo (Lynnwood Times)

“A big shout out to Council President Jason Moon, he and Simon Bai have been able to reach the Korean and Asian community like we haven't before.”

— Joe Marine, Mayor, City of Mukilteo (Lynnwood Times)

What’s next

The City of Mukilteo and the DEI Commission plan to discuss making the Lunar New Year event a stable tradition in the city during their upcoming strategic planning retreat.

The takeaway

Mukilteo's successful Lunar New Year celebration demonstrates the city's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and its efforts to strengthen ties with its growing Asian and Asian-American communities. The event's record-breaking attendance highlights the community's enthusiasm for celebrating its cultural heritage and diversity.