Events

Chinese New Year Events in Vancouver

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with these fun-filled events and activities throughout Vancouver

By Diane Selkirk /

Credit: Carol Browne

Chinese New Year Parade 2010

Gung hay fat choy! It’s time to celebrate Chinese New Year

Considered by many to be the most auspicious year on the Chinese calendar, the Year of the Dragon was ushered in on January 23. While the Lunar New Year is the traditional New Year for Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and many other East Asian cultures, it’s celebrated big time by many families (including my own) in Vancouver.

If you’ve never been (or just want to know what’s out there), check out this list to find the best celebrations for the Year of the Dragon.

Vancouver Chinese New Year Parade & Cultural Fair 2012

January 29, 2012

The Chinese New Year Parade, Vancouver Chinatown’s main event, will have lion dances, cultural dance troupes, marching bands and more. The 1.2 km parade starts at the Millennium Gate on Pender Street at 12:00 noon on Sunday, February 6th, and takes two hours to travel down Pender Street, to Gore Street, then onto Keefer Street before ending at Keefer and Columbia.

After the Parade Take in the Cultural Fair

January 28 and 29 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

The Cultural Fair will be hosted at the Sun Yat-sen Plaza (50 East Pender Street).

Chinese New Year at the International Village

January 27 – 29, 2012

A traditional dancing Lion. (Image: Beth Taylor)

Held at Chinatown’s International Village shopping centre (better known locally as Tinseltown) and located at 88 West Pender Street, this three-day festival includes plenty of live performances, traditional dance and activities for the kids.

Vancouver LunarFest 2012

February 1 – 5, 2012

Vancouver LunarFest is dedicated to showcasing contemporary expression in Asian arts and culture. LunarFest honours the Lunar New Year with exhibits, performances, and free kids activities that present multicultural Lunar New Year traditions.

Richmond Events

January 23 – February 6

Each year a variety of local Lunar New Year events and celebrations are offered in Richmond including floral displays, a countdown to midnight, a special Chinese Tea at London Heritage Farms and lion dances.