It’s almost time to celebrate the Lunar New Year, and we couldn’t be more excited to ring in the Year of the Rabbit on January 21st. From the long-awaited return of the Chinatown Spring Festival Parade to The Lantern City’s art installation on Granville Island, here are 12 ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year in and around Vancouver this month.
Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Parade 2023
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We’re starting off with one of the most highly-anticipated events of the year The official return Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Celebration is set to ring in the new year with the largest assembly of traditional lion dance teams in Canada! 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 ends on Keefer at Abbott.
The 48th annual parade will commence at 11 am on Sunday, January 22nd, and take approximately two hours.
When: Sunday, January 22nd
Where: 108 East Pender Street
Cost: Free
Soar Over Taiwan – FlyOver Canada
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FlyOver Canada is celebrating the occasion with a brand new experience, Soar Over Taiwan – which is on until February 12th. Guests will get the chance to experience Taiwan from a bird’s eye view, flying over iconic Taiwanese landmarks like the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival, Green Island, and major skyscrapers. Pair your experience with some tasty Taiwanese egg tarts and bubble tea at their Flying Whale Waterfront Cafe.
There will also be a wishing tree where guests can toss their lucky red ribbons and let their intentions for the new year hang amongst all the others.
Tickets for the experience range from $28 to $34 depending on the day of the week you book it.
When: Until February 12th
Where: 999 Canada Place #201
Cost: $28 to $34
Lunar New Year at Metropolis at Metrotown
For live cultural performances, shopping rewards, craft workshops, and more – head to Metrotown for all things LNY. From Sunday, January 22nd to Sunday, February 5th, shoppers can ring in the new year at the mall’s Grand Court. Get ready to shop and celebrate – and be entered for the chance to win several exciting prizes!
When: January 22nd to February 5th
Where: Metropolis at Metrotown
Oakridge Park’s Lunar New Year Celebration – Fairmont Pacific Rim
Now in its 5th year, the 2023 Lunar New Year celebration marks several milestones in the creation of Oakridge Park. Visitors at the Fairmont Pacific Rim between January 16th to February 12th can expect family fun like children’s ballet classes by Goh Ballet, complimentary family portraits, a floral arrangement workshop, and musical performances. Guests can also indulge in sushi and omakase curated by Michelin-awarded Chef Masayoshi Baba at The Lobby Lounge & RawBar.
When: Monday, January 16th to February 12th
Where: 1038 Canada Place
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The Lantern City – Granville Island
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Inspired by the “youthful spirit” of Granville Island, The Lantern City will exhibit the work of artists across Canada in the form of lanterns that “capture the wonder and playfulness of children.” From Indigenous artists like Jody Broomfield to Taiwanese Indigenous artist Pacake Taugadhu, the installation is set to
When: January 20th to February 20th
Where: Granville Island
Cost: Free
Celebrating the Lunar New Year through music
The West Vancouver Community Arts Council presents a special Lunar New Year concert that blends Eastern and Western musical traditions. The performing musicians? Erhu (two-stringed fiddle) player Lan Tung, percussionist Jonathon Bernard, and pianist Karen Lee-Morlang.
The concert will take place from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm on Tuesday, January 24th.
When: Tuesday, January 24th
Where: 1570 Argyle Avenue
Cost: $22 for non-members
Lunar New Year at West Point Grey Community Centre
On Saturday, January 21st, the West Point Grey Community Centre is hosting an indoor celebration offering guests the chance to experience traditional customs, crafts, and entertainment, as well as a Bouncy Castle for the kids, and tasty food options.
When: Saturday, January 21st
Where: 4397 West 2nd Avenue
Cost: $15
Lunar New Year at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
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On January 21st and 22nd, you can celebrate the new year at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden from 11 am to 6 pm. On both days, there will be live lion dances, tea ceremonies, arts and crafts, calligraphy workshops, and a slew of other special live performances to check out. Oh, and plenty of dumplings by Dicky’s Dumps to go around!
Note that all donations will go towards supporting the garden’s Xiao Seniors Program, Traditional Arts Workshops, and Educational Programs.
When: Saturday, January 21st and Sunday, January 22nd
Where: 578 Carrall Street
Cost: $11.98
Lunar New Year Market at UBC Botanical Garden
Leading up to the Lunar New Year, the UBC Botanical Garden is hosting a special market to honour the occasion, complete with lion dances, kung fu performances by UBC’s Kung Fu Club, and dance performances by UBC’s Hanfu Culture Society and YunTang Dance Club. As well, visitors can peruse fresh flowers for sale and various local artisanal goods.
The Lunar New Year Market will take place from 11 am to 4 pm at the garden’s Reception Centre. Note that some vendors are cash or card only, so it’s a good idea to bring both options just in case!
When: January 14 and 15th
Where: 6804 South West Marine Drive
Cost: $5+
Lunar New Year: Year of the Water Rabbit
The Vancouver Public Library is hosting a series of events marking the occasion on Wednesday, January 18th, including a traditional tea ceremony, musical performance by the BC Chinese Music Association, and a special visit from Fortune Teller and Feng Shui Master, Sherman Tai. All of these events will take place between 6 and 8:30 pm at the Central Library downtown.
When: Wednesday, January 18th
Where: 350 West Georgia
Cost: Free
Enjoy a special LNY meal
Thankfully for the foodies out there, a lot of restaurants in Vancouver are coming out with limited-time specials to mark the occasion. From a special afternoon tea service to a decadent multi-course meal, here are 6 special menus to check out in and around Vancouver to mark the occasion.
Where: See our picks above
Family Fun Lunar New Year Celebration – Gateway Theatre
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For some family-friendly fun that’s as educational as it is entertaining, check out the Gateway Theatre’s Lunar New Year Celebration. The first half of the event will involve a live reading of Bun Fun New Year (繽紛新年) and learning bunny dance moves in Studio B, and the second half will consist of arts and crafts in the lobby.
Note that there are two time slots to choose from: One from 10 am to 11:30 am, and one from 1 to 2:30 pm.
When: Saturday, January 21st
Where: 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond
Cost: $8 per person, free for children two and under
And that’s a wrap on some exciting ways to ring in the new lunar year and celebrate the occasion this month. Gong xi fa cai, everyone!
