7 free things you can enjoy at LunarFest in the GTA this weekend

The Lunar New Year is almost here, Torontonians!

Naturally, you’re going to want to celebrate the Year of the Dog in style, and there are plenty of opportunities to do that LunarFest this coming weekend. It celebrates one of the oldest traditions in many Asian cultures and has become Canada’s biggest presenter of contemporary expression in Asian arts and culture since it was established in 2009.

The festival was originally built to be a Winter Olympics Legacy event in Vancouver. But since then it has extended to other areas in BC and here in Ontario, where it brings soul, art, and life together on one stage.

With that in mind, here are some of the cool LunarFest events happening at the Mississauga Living Arts Centre this coming weekend.

LunarFest Workshop

On Saturday, February 18 you can attend a LunarFest Workshop where you’ll learn how to make your own Lantern of Blessings and find out about traditional Taiwanese-Hakka Lei Cha. The cultural workshop is open to all ages and but small children must be accompanied by parents. Space is limited, so make sure you register via LunarFest to secure your place.

When: Sunday, February 18
Time: 1 to 3 pm
Where: Mississauga Living Arts Centre – 4141 Living Arts Drive, Mississauga
Price: FREE

Lanterns of Blessing

Hundreds of lanterns will adorn the Atrium at the Living Arts Centre this coming weekend which have been folded and personalized by students and children throughout Mississauga and Toronto. This installation symbolizes how light is an ancient source of hope and warmth, especially in the winter, and plays a crucial role in countless cultures across human history. Sky lanterns are believed to originate in China’s Warring States period and were once used as a means of signalling across vast distances during warfare. They also hold symbolic meanings in many nations, including in new year celebrations in Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, China, and even Poland. Make your own lantern onsite or bring one with you to have it blessed for the year ahead.

The Walkers

You can take some time out at the Living Arts Centre to watch The Walkers, a beautifully shot documentary which has been filmed over the course of 10 years. It follows world renowned choreographer Lin Lee-Chen and her Legend Lin Dance Theatre and explores the origins of her dance, philosophy, and lifelong pursuit of the perfect aesthetic. You don’t want to miss this visually stunning and beautifully shot film which will be presented in Mandarin with English subtitles.

Moon Crawl

There are hundreds of moons in our solar system, from brilliant balls of crystal ice to volcanic orbs of radiant beauty. It’s no wonder that humans have developed so many mythologies about our moon, or that even our canine best friends have such a strong fascination with it. This weekend, you can lose yourself in a sea of celestial bodies at Moon Crawl – a super-sized ball pit that needs to be seen to be believed. All you have to do is see how quickly you can find your moon!

LunarCrafts

Lunar New Year is the time to share arts and crafts with family, and many
cultures have a broad variety of traditional crafts. This weekend you can immerse yourself in creativity and innovation with LunarCrafts, discover your fortune for the year ahead, and bring home a Puppy Lantern for a new friend.

Canadog – The Space Husky

Canadog taps into the excitement and exuberance that is Year of the Dog. And since huskies are a vigorous breed, nothing gets them more excited than to share a new toy with the family. Now you can supersize your ambitions, and inspire your community to think big, think outside the box, and share happiness with everyone around you during LunarFest and year-round.

Family Day Activities

Don’t worry if you can’t make it on Saturday, because there will be more LunarFest celebrations at the Mississauga Living Arts Centre this coming Family Day, on Monday, February 19, so you can still enjoy a plethora of fun and games.

When: Monday, February 19
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Mississauga Living Arts Centre – 4141 Living Arts Drive, Mississauga
Price: FREE

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For more information and to see a full schedule of events, visit LunarFest.

 

Daily Hive is a proud media sponsor of LunarFest

See also

• Top 6 in the 6ix: Can't miss Toronto events February 12 to 18
• 1500 adorable pets will be up for adoption across Canada this weekend
• You can ride the Hogwarts Express at a Magical Wizards Festival this fall