10 Lunar New Year Events Around B.C.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of the Fire Horse is one of the most dynamic signs in the zodiac, ushering in rapid change, personal growth and opportunities. The Lunar New Year officially lands on February 17, but this celebration is much too big to be contained in just one day, with festivities taking place both before and after. Below, find just a few of the many events happening around British Columbia.

Lunar New Year Events in the Lower Mainland

1. Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Celebration

There are many events included in this festival’s weekend-long celebration, but the parade is the festival’s colourful, vibrant core. Kicking off at 11 a.m. on February 22 at the Millennium Gate, the parade takes around three hours to wind through Chinatown. It draws a crowd, so expect to share your sliver of sidewalk with between 100,000 and 200,000 of your closest friends. Other events include the Spring Festival Cultural Fair from 2 to 4 p.m., which takes place at the Chinese Cultural Centre and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen courtyard. A gala dinner, celebrations in the International Village Mall and an amateur opera performance round out the festivities.

Various locations. Parade begins at Millennium Gate
Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22
Free entry
cbavancouver.org/spring-festival-2026

2. LunarFest 2026

For over 15 years, LunarFest has brought a contemporary lens to one of the oldest Asian traditions: the Lunar New Year. Find a host of free and ticketed events around the city, all with the festival’s overarching theme “Brave the Wind.” Central to the festival is The Lantern City, which displays enormous lanterns in five distinct venues: šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square, Granville Island, Pendulum Gallery, Robson Plaza and Bentall Centre. Soak in the sights and lights, but don’t miss the festival’s other events, which range from kid-friendly crafts and origami workshops to a C-pop drag show. View the full schedule of events here.

Various locations downtown and on Granville Island
Saturday, February 14 to Saturday, February 28
Free and ticketed events
lunarfestvancouver.ca

3. Lunar New Year at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden rings in the Year of the Fire Horse with a full weekend of festivities. Saturday kicks off the Lunar New Year celebrations with arts and crafts, tea ceremonies, calligraphy and tastings of nian gao (a Lunar New Year rice cake). On Sunday, lantern viewings, fortune telling, performances and a lion dance kick this celebration into high gear.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22
$10 for adults, $8 for children, $30 for a family of four, kids under 5 free
vancouverchinesegarden.com

4. Dumps 101 with Dicky’s Dumps

 

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Food is an integral part of the Lunar New Year, and dumplings in particular symbolize wealth and abundance. Learn to make this (delicious) symbol of good fortune at a cooking class hosted by The Bad Academy and Dicky’s Dumps. During the class, learn to make the classic dish with either cabbage-and-pork or vegetarian filling. A Lunar New Year’s cocktail or mocktail is also included in the entry fee. Enjoy the spoils of all your hard work (around two dozen dumplings), and take your newfound skills home to use for future Lunar New Year celebrations—or just a random Tuesday—for years to come.

Funk Coffee Bar
Friday, February 27
$125 per ticket
thebadacademy.com/product/the-lunar-new-year-series

5. Aberdeen Centre Lunar New Year

 

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Richmond’s Aberdeen Mall has a host of activities to welcome the Year of the Horse. It all begins with the Flower & Gift Fair that runs until February 17, where vendors sell treats and festive floral displays to celebrate the season. On February 16, a New Year’s countdown begins at 8:30 p.m. and runs until just after midnight. But don’t stay up too late—the following day, there are dragon and lion dances in the outer courtyard (11 a.m.). On February 21, lion dancers “pick the greens” (pluck lettuce and lucky red envelopes) hung from stores, and on the afternoons of February 21, 22 and 28, the mall hosts cultural shows such as dance and orchestra performances.

Aberdeen Centre Mall
Various dates
Free
aberdeencentre.com/en/events.php

Lunar New Year Events on Vancouver Island

6. 2026 Lunar New Year Parade & Blessing of Merchants in Victoria

Canada’s oldest Chinatown hosts an energetic Lunar New Year celebration that includes traditional Chinese dances, an eight-lion performance (to bring good fortune and prosperity) and a dragon dance. Following the dances, lions and dragons parade along Fisgard Street. Merchants in the area who have hung offerings of lettuce and red envelopes will be visited by lions who bless their businesses and scare away evil spirits.

Victoria’s Chinatown. Main event starts at the Gates of Harmonious Interest
Sunday, February 22
Free entry
hungfut.ca/event/lunar-new-years-2026

7. 2026 Victoria Chinese New Year Gala

The Victoria Chinese Art and Culture Association marks the Year of the Fire Horse with a gala evening studded with music, performance, dance, comedy and drama. This huge event is attended by over a thousand spectators, who enjoy performances by Chinese artists as well as artists from other communities in a celebration of cultural diversity.

Dave Dunnet Community Theatre
Sunday, February 15
$12 per person. Purchase tickets in advance
2026 Victoria Chinese New Year Gala 

8. Lunar New Year 2026 in Nanaimo

 

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As the Year of the Horse comes galloping in, so does this vibrant celebration that is the largest in the Nanaimo region. Enjoy performances, lion dancers and an Asian-style buffet, alongside a silent auction and 50/50 draw. Lunar New Year is traditionally celebrated with gatherings and food, making this a most auspicious way to celebrate.

Beban Park Social Centre
Saturday, February 14
Ticketed show. Prices vary
porttheatre.com/events/lunar-new-year-2026

Lunar New Year Events in the Okanagan

9. OCCA 2026 Spring Lantern Festival in Kelowna

The Spring Lantern Festival marks the Lunar New Year with a one-day event built around performances, food and family-friendly activities. Lion and dragon dances are included in the lineup of multicultural performances, as are dumpling- and lantern-making workshops, Chinese calligraphy and a photo booth stocked with traditional costumes. Pint-sized revellers can face off against a robot in a board game, get faces painted or keep little hands busy with activities.

Kelowna Events Centre (2041 Harvey Ave.)
Sunday, February 22
Ticketed event. Prices vary
occabc.ca/event/occa-2026-spring-lantern-festival

10. Year of the Horse at Haywire Winery

Raise a glass to the speed and energy of the Year of the Horse. For over a decade, Haywire Winery has been offering its limited-edition Lunar Red to celebrate the holiday, and this year is no different. This year’s vintage is bold yet smooth, and—as you might expect—pairs well with Asian cuisine. (The wine’s description suggests pairing the wine with dumplings, spare ribs or Peking duck—but why not all three?) Entry to this celebratory evening includes a glass of Lunar Red, accompanied by delectable bites.

Haywire Winery
Saturday, February 21
$24 per ticket
Year of the Horse at Haywire Winery