2018 Chinese New Year Parade Celebrates the Year of the Dog

February 12, 2018
CL
ByCarrie Leslie
3 min read

The annual cultural extravaganza that is the Chinese New Year Parade will be returning for its 45th year on Sunday, February 17, 2018. This signature event of Vancouver’s Chinatown will feature lion dances, cultural dance troupes, marching bands, martial arts performances and much more.

The parade is a major part of the Lunar New Year Festival, a regional event celebrating Spring, Chinese New Year and traditional Asian New Year celebrations taking place in Vancouver and Richmond.

chinese new year parade 2018

Chinese New Year Festival and Parade | Image courtesy of the Chinese Benevolent Association

The Chinese New Year Parade in Vancouver celebrates the new year of the Chinese lunar calendar and is a festive event that anyone can enjoy. This year’s parade features the largest assembly of traditional lion dance teams in Canada with dozens of colourful and energetic lion dancers ready to entertain.

Boasting over 3,000 participants from various community and cultural groups, the Chinese New Year Parade is a sight to see! Among those participating in the parade include marching bands, the Vancouver Police Department Motorcycle Drill Team, and many more surprises.

Each year, over 100,000 spectators flock to Vancouver’s Chinatown to marvel at the festivities. But, if you’re not able to join the fun, you can always watch it through live TV coverage!

chinese new year parade 2018

Image courtesy of Anthony Maw | Inside Vancouver Flickr Pool

Parade Route

The 1.3-km long route starts at the Millennium Gate on Pender Street (between Shanghai Alley and Taylor Street), proceeds east along Pender Street, turns south onto Gore Street, turns west onto Keefer Street and then disperses on Keefer at Abbott. See the map here

Parade Schedule

The parade will start at 11 am on Sunday, February 18th, 2018 and will take about two and a half hours to complete.

If you’re looking for other ways to celebrate Chinese New Year in Vancouver, there are several other events leading up to the parade on Sunday, February 18. Check out the Lunar New Year Festival website for full details.

2018 Chinese New Year Parade
Year of the Dog
Vancouver Chinatown
lion dances
cultural dance troupes
Lunar New Year Festival
martial arts performances
traditional Asian New Year
Vancouver events
Richmond events