Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is almost upon us, and there are tons of free events happening around Metro Vancouver and Victoria that you can attend.
In 2019, the first day of the Lunar New Year will be on Tuesday, 5 February, initiating the Year of the Pig.
What’s the difference between Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year? Lunar New Year is generally thought to be a more inclusive term, as many other countries and cultures celebrate a new year based on the lunar calendar, including Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia.
Ring in the new year with your family and friends at one of these vibrant cultural celebrations.
>> Check out Vancity’s full list of community events.
Burnaby
Lunar New Year at Burnaby Heights
Saturday, February 9, 2019 from 12 to 4 pm
Celebrate the Year of the Pig at the Heights! Visit friendly merchants along Hastings Street and take in the beautiful music and lion dancers performing the traditional blessing ceremony.
Crystal Mall Chinese New Year Celebration
Saturday, February 9, 2019 from 12 to 4 pm
Enjoy a lively choy cheng performance, a lion dance and free Chinese calligraphy greetings at Crystal Mall. The festivities will also include a God of Fortune greeting, games, balloon twisting and a lucky draw!
Richmond
Bodhi Meditation Chinese New Year Market Place
Saturday, January 26 to Sunday, January 27, 2019 from 11 am to 4 pm
Eat, play and shop! Celebrate at the market and visit the time-travelling photography studio, traditional tea house, dharma gift shop and tons of multicultural performances. And did we mention all the delicious food that will be there?
Aberdeen Centre’s Chinese New Year Flower and Gift Fair
Wednesday, January 30 to Tuesday, February 5, 2019 from 11 am to 7 pm
Drop by the Central Atrium at Aberdeen Centre to check out tons of cultural showcases featuring Lunar New Year decorations, traditional snacks, gifts and fresh flowers. The mall will feature several other events during that time: surprise visit by the Chinese God of Fortune (Monday, February 4 from 10:30 am to 11:30 pm), live countdown shows (Monday, February 4 from 8:30 pm to midnight) and golden dragon and lion dance (Tuesday, February 5 at 11 am and noon).
Yaohan Centre Chinese New Year Celebration
Tuesday, February 5, 2019 from 12 to 1 pm
Come and enjoy Yaohan Centre’s Chinese New Year Celebration including dragon and lion dances, firecracker, green picking at plateau sphere jong and visits from the God of Fortune!
Chinese New Year at Lansdowne Centre
Saturday, February 9, 2019 from 1 to 4 pm
Starting with an opening ceremony, including a Lion Dance, the festivities will include a great line up of live entertainment, family activities and community booths.
Chinese New Year Cultural Showcase at Aberdeen Centre
Saturday, February 9, 2019 from 1 to 4 pm
Colourful dance shows and Chinese Orchestra performance featuring hundreds of spectacular talents from the Vancouver Academy of Dance, Colors of Dance Academy, B.C. Chinese Music Association, and more.
Yaohan Centre’s Chinese New Year Stage Show
Sunday, February 10, 2019 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm
Gather your family and friends and come up to the second floor of Yaohan Centre to enjoy a variety of entertainment at the Chinese New Year Stage Show!
North Vancouver
Lunar New Year at Lonsdale Quay
Saturday, January 26, 2019 from 11 am to 4 pm
Bring the family down to the Lonsdale Quay market and enjoy a fan dancing performance and workshop, crafts, food and a traditional lion dancing blessing.
Vancouver
Celebrating Chinese New Year of the Pig at International Village Mall
Friday, February 8 to Sunday, February 10, 2019 from 11 am to 8 pm
This three-day event at International Village Mall includes an opening celebration with a traditional lion dance, various culinary delights, gifts, multicultural live performances and more.
LunarFest at the Vancouver Art Gallery
Saturday, February 9 to Sunday, February 10, 2019 from 11 am to 6 pm
Kick off your Lunar New Year by attending the outdoor festivities at the Vancouver Art Gallery. The event will feature DIY lantern making, prizes and even pig heroes. This vibrant cultural event will make for a fun-filled afternoon for you and the family!
Year of the Pig Temple Fair
Sunday, February 10, 2019 from 10:30 am to 4 pm
You’re invited to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden for the Year of the Pig Temple Fair! Enjoy the company of others and exchange traditional well wishes of good fortune and prosperity.
Chinatown Spring Festival Parade (46th Annual)
Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 11 am
This signature event held in the heart of Chinatown will feature lion dances, marching bands, martial arts performances and much more. 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. The parade takes about 2.5 hours to complete.
Victoria
Lunar New Year Celebration at Gate of Harmonious Interest
Sunday, February 10, 2019 from 12 to 3:30 pm
Ring in the Year of the Pig at the Gate of Harmonious Interest in Victoria’s Chinatown. Festivities will include the annual Chinese lion dance parade, cultural performances and a Kung Fu demonstration.
