Chinese Lion Dancing
Traditional lion dance and dragon dance for Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia, with live drum, gong and cymbals, since the 1970s.
45+
years performing in the D.C. metro area, since the 1970s
1979
Shaolin Hung Fut Kung Fu School founded by Grandmaster Sifu Tai Yim
DC · MD · VA
Washington, Montgomery and Prince George's counties, Northern Virginia
Live
drum, gong and cymbals at every performance, never a recording
The team
Over 45 years of lion dance in the nation's capital
- Performing in the Washington, D.C. metro area since the 1970s, over 45 years
- Performed for dignitaries and celebrities, most recently for the Vice President of the United States at her personal residence
- Regular performers at Chinese cultural events, restaurant and business grand openings, and Lunar New Year celebrations across the DMV
- Affiliated with the Shaolin Hung Fut Kung Fu School, founded in 1979 by 8th Generation Grandmaster Sifu Tai Yim, Southern Shaolin lineage
Chinese Lion Dancing is the performance team of the Shaolin Hung Fut Kung Fu School in Kensington, Maryland, a few minutes north of the District line. We have brought the traditional Southern lion to Washington-area celebrations since the 1970s: Lunar New Year visits to restaurants and shops in D.C.’s Chinatown and along Rockville Pike, opening-day blessings for new businesses, wedding banquets, school assemblies, cultural festivals and corporate receptions. The team also performs the traditional Chinese dragon dance for festivals, parades and large celebrations.
Every performer trains in Hung Fut kung fu, the Southern Shaolin system that Grandmaster Sifu Tai Yim, its 8th Generation Grandmaster, brought to Maryland when he founded the school in 1979. That training is what gives a traditional lion its stances, its stamina and its character. The drum, gong and cymbals are always played live.
We serve Washington, D.C., Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland, and Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax County in Northern Virginia. Tell us your date and venue and we will reply with a quote. Read more about the team and the Hung Fut lineage.
Occasions
Occasions we perform for
Every performance is a blessing as much as a show. Choose the occasion to see how the dance is shaped for it.
Wedding Lion Dance
Traditional Chinese lion dance for weddings in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. Blessing the couple with choy cheng. Contact for a quote.
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Grand Opening Lion Dance
Lion dance blessing for restaurant and business grand openings across the DMV. Choy cheng lettuce ceremony and live drums. Based in Kensington, MD.
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Chinese New Year Lion Dance
Book a traditional Lunar New Year lion dance for your restaurant, business, school or celebration in Washington, DC, Maryland or Virginia.
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Corporate Event Lion Dance
Chinese lion dance for corporate events, office Lunar New Year celebrations and client receptions in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia.
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Dragon dance
We perform the dragon dance as well as the lion dance
For festivals, parades, Lunar New Year celebrations and large venues, our gold and red dragon is carried on poles by a team of performers who follow the pearl, to the same live drum, gong and cymbals.
A lion works close to the guests and carries the blessing rituals. A dragon needs a longer run and is at its best where the whole body can be seen moving in waves and spirals. Many hosts book both: the lions to open and bless, the dragon to close the show.
Quick facts
Chinese Lion Dancing at a glance
- Years operating
- Over 45 years, performing in the Washington, D.C. metro area since the 1970s
- Service area
- Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia (the DMV), based in Kensington, MD
- Typical performance length
- Most performances run about 15 to 20 minutes; longer programs and multi-stop routes are arranged on request
- Team size options
- A single lion with live percussion, or two or more lions for larger events. Every lion is danced by two performers
- When we perform
- Mainly weekends. Most of the team works during the week, so Saturdays and Sundays book first. Weekday events can be arranged with more notice
- Advance notice required
- As early as possible. Lunar New Year is the highest-demand fortnight of the year and peak wedding Saturdays go next, so reserve those dates well ahead
- What is included
- Lion(s), trained performers, live drum, gong and cymbals, and the traditional choy cheng (lettuce blessing) ceremony
- Dragon dance
- Also available. The team performs the traditional Chinese dragon dance, carried on poles by a team of performers, for festivals, parades, Lunar New Year and large celebrations, alone or together with the lions
- Occasions served
- Lunar New Year celebrations, restaurant and business grand openings, weddings, corporate events, cultural festivals, parades, schools and private parties
- Lineage
- Shaolin Hung Fut Kung Fu School, founded in 1979 by 8th Generation Grandmaster Sifu Tai Yim. Southern Shaolin lineage
How it works
Booking is four short steps
Most quotes go out the same or next business day. Lunar New Year dates fill first.
- 1
Tell us about the event
Date, start time, venue or city, the occasion and roughly how many guests. Use the form or call.
- 2
Get a quote
We confirm availability and send a quote, usually the same or next business day.
- 3
Reserve the date
Accept the quote and we hold your date and time, then send a short venue checklist.
- 4
The lion arrives
We set up early, perform, complete the choy cheng blessing and clear the space.
Gallery
From recent performances
Lunar New Year in a shopping mall atrium 
The lion working the room, percussion behind Four lions at a school demonstration
Before you book
Questions people ask before booking
How much does a lion dance performance cost?
Pricing depends on the date, location, number of lions and length of the program, so we quote each event individually. Contact us with your date, venue and the occasion and we will send a quote, usually the same or next business day.
Lunar New Year dates, events far from Kensington, multi-lion programs and combined lion dance and kung fu demonstrations are priced differently from a standard single-lion blessing. Tell us everything you have in mind and we will recommend the option that fits your event and budget.
How long does a lion dance performance last?
A standard performance runs about 15 to 20 minutes, which is long enough for the lions to enter, greet the guests, perform and complete the choy cheng blessing. Longer programs, multiple sets during a long event, or a route with several stops can be arranged.
For weddings, the dance is usually timed to a natural pause in the reception. For grand openings, the performance often begins outside at the entrance and moves inside. For festivals and corporate events with a stage, we can extend the program with a kung fu demonstration from the Shaolin Hung Fut Kung Fu School.
How far in advance should I book a lion dance?
Book as soon as your date is confirmed. We perform mainly at weekends, because most of the team works during the week, so Saturdays and Sundays fill first. Lunar New Year is the highest-demand fortnight of our year and peak wedding Saturdays go next; outside those periods we can often accommodate an event with a few weeks' notice.
If your date is close, contact us anyway. Our school is in Kensington, Maryland, and for nearby cities such as Bethesda, Silver Spring and Rockville we can sometimes fit a short performance into a busy day.
What is the red envelope for?
The red envelope, or hong bao, is a traditional gift of good luck offered to the lion during the performance. The lion 'eats' the envelope along with the lettuce during the choy cheng blessing, and the gift symbolizes the host's generosity and the good fortune returned to them.
Hosts often tie a red envelope to the lettuce hung at the entrance, and guests sometimes offer envelopes to the lion as it greets them. The amount is at the host's discretion. The envelope is a customary gesture and is separate from the performance fee.
Want the pricing question answered properly? See what changes the cost of a lion dance.
Service area
Where we perform
Our school is in Kensington, Maryland, and most of the DMV is within an hour's drive. These pages describe the venues, neighborhoods and events we know best in each city.
- Lion dance in Washington, D.C.About 25 to 40 minutes from Kensington, depending on traffic and the part of the District
- Lion dance in Rockville, MDAbout 15 to 20 minutes from Kensington
- Lion dance in Bethesda, MDAbout 10 to 15 minutes from Kensington
- Lion dance in Silver Spring, MDAbout 10 to 15 minutes from Kensington
- Lion dance in Arlington, VAAbout 30 to 45 minutes from Kensington via the Beltway or through the District
- Lion dance in Fairfax, VAAbout 45 to 60 minutes from Kensington via the Capital Beltway and I-66
Book the team
Ready to book a lion dance?
Tell us your date, venue and occasion and we will reply with availability and a quote.