Celebrate Lunar New Year in Vancouver
The Year of the Snake starts on January 29, 2025, and Vancouver is getting ready to celebrate. With its position on the Pacific Rim, our city has a strong Asian community and a tradition of Lunar New Year festivities that goes back generations.
Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the new year based on lunar calendars. The holiday is also known as Chinese New Year but is celebrated in a variety of ways across many East Asian nations including China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, and Singapore. For many of these cultures, it is the most important day of the year because it marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Unlike western New Year, the celebrations often last for an entire week.
Here are a few ways to join the festivities.
Chinatown Spring Festival and Parade
For many Vancouverites, the Chinatown Spring Festival Parade is the highlight of Lunar New Year celebrations. The Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver along with other community organizations has organized this annual event for over 50 years. The parade snakes its way along East Pender and Keefer streets in Chinatown. This year's parade takes place on February 2, starting at 11 am.
After the parade, head to the Chinese Cultural Centre and the courtyard of Dr. Sun Yat-sen Garden to enjoy free performances, music, and more.
You can also wander the streets of Chinatown to watch Lion Dance performances. Participating businesses hang lettuce and red envelopes of money outside their front doors. During the dance, the Lion "eats" the offering of lettuce and money. The dance is believed to bring good luck to the business for the coming year.
Lunarfest
Running each year since 2009, Lunarfest celebrates the diversity of Canada and brings people of all backgrounds together to celebrate Asian arts and culture. This year the festival includes a concert, workshops, and an artisan marketplace on Granville Island.
Taste of Chinatown
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with food-focused events during Taste of Chinatown at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre between January 2 and February 2. It includes culinary pop-ups and tastings. You can also participate in family-friendly activities and crafts or help colour in a life-sized mural of Chinatown.
Chinese Canadian Museum
The Chinese Canadian Museum in Chinatown honours the history of Chinese Canadians. On February 1st and 2nd, the museum is holding special Year of the Snake celebrations including food, board games, crafts, kids' storytime, and more.
UBC Botanical Garden
Visit the UBC Botanical Garden to take part in their Lunar New Year celebrations on January 25 and 26. Browse the stalls at the market to shop for traditional foods, handmade goods, and artisanal crafts. Don't miss lion dances, sword displays and performances from the UBC Kung Fu Club. You can also attend workshops to learn traditional Chinese calligraphy or how to make sweet dumplings.
Mall Celebrations
Metropolis at Metrotown in Burnaby has a variety of Lunar New Year events between February 1 and 9. Take part in traditional Chinese activities and crafts, listen to live music performances, and watch cooking demonstrations. The highlight is the Lion Dance performance on February 1.
The International Village Mall in Chinatown is a popular place to celebrate Lunar New Year. To mark the start of the Year of the Snake they have special New Year's events on February 1st and 2nd. You can buy crafts from local artisans, pose for photos with the God of Fortune (a mythological figure in Chinese folk religion), and take part in games.
Richmond's Aberdeen Centre is holding Lunar New Year celebrations between January 28 and February 9. Enjoy a New Year's countdown, Dragon Dance and Lion Dance performances, a fashion show, and more.
Lansdowne Centre in Richmond is holding a special Lunar New Year event on February 1 to welcome the Year of the Snake. Watch the Dragon Dance Ceremony, make Lunar New Year-themed crafts, or play Snakes and Ladders on the giant interactive board spread across the courtyard floor.