Written for Daily Hive by Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee, CEO of the Chinese Canadian Museum.
Lanterns are going up, lion dancers are warming up, and red pockets are already making the rounds — Lunar New Year is just around the corner.
Also known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, this annual celebration is one of the liveliest moments of the year, ushering in the transition from winter to spring with plenty of energy and joy.
The date changes each year with the lunisolar calendar, but the heart of the celebration stays the same across many communities around the world: great food, time with loved ones, fresh starts, and time-honoured traditions that keep the festivities going.
The Year of the Fire Horse officially gallops in on Feb. 17, 2026, and it’s bringing bold energy, fresh starts, and plenty of reasons to celebrate. From meaningful traditions to snack-filled festivities, here are five fun ways to ring in the Lunar New Year.
Feast at a Lunar New Year reunion dinner
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If Lunar New Year had a main event, this would be it.
The reunion dinner takes place on Lunar New Year’s Eve (Feb.16) and is often considered the most important of the entire year. Families gather, sometimes travelling far and wide, to sit down together and welcome the new year as one.
The menu is packed with symbolism. Dishes are often served whole to represent unity and completeness, like whole steamed fish, chicken or duck, and braised pork belly.
These days, reunion dinners happen everywhere from family homes to packed restaurants, many of which offer special Lunar New Year menus that honour tradition while keeping the celebration delicious.
Wear red (yes, socks count)
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Want an easy way to invite good luck? Wear red.
Red is one of the luckiest colours in Chinese culture, symbolizing prosperity, happiness, and success. You can go full festive with a red dress or suit, or keep it subtle with a scarf, hat, or even lucky red socks.
Around Lunar New Year, shops (especially in Chinatown) are filled with beautiful traditional pieces like cheongsams (traditional Chinese dress) and satin vests, perfect if you’re feeling extra celebratory.
Clean first, then put the broom down
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Before Lunar New Year officially begins, many households do a deep clean, and it’s not just about tidying up.
The tradition is meant to sweep away bad luck and lingering negative energy from the past year, making space for fresh fortune to arrive. Just be sure to finish cleaning before midnight on Lunar New Year’s Eve.
One very important rule: don’t clean on Lunar New Year’s Day itself. Tradition says you could accidentally sweep away all that newly arrived good luck – and no one wants that.
Snack on lucky treats
Lunar New Year
Let’s be real: Chinese New Year snacks deserve their own spotlight.
During this season, bakeries, chefs, and local makers roll out festive sweets packed with symbolism. A classic favourite is the Tray of Togetherness, a round platter filled with candies, dried fruits, and treats that represent sweetness, prosperity, and good fortune.
You can even try snacks from a Tray of Togetherness at the Chinese Canadian Museum in Vancouver from Feb. 21 to 22.
Other lucky eats include dumplings (wealth), long noodles (longevity), almond cookies (prosperity), and bright oranges or mandarins — loved for their golden colour and round shape, both symbols of good luck.
Enjoy a Lunar New Year parade
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No Lunar New Year celebration is complete without lion dances, drumbeats, and seeing the community come together. Across Canada, Lunar New Year parades fill Chinatown streets with colour, performances, and festive energy. Lion dances, in particular, are believed to bring luck, protection, and good fortune for the year ahead, and they’re always a crowd favourite.
This year, the Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Parade and the Victoria Chinatown Parade & Blessing of Merchants both take place on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. Toronto’s Downtown Chinatown will also host a two-day Lunar New Year festival.
Together, these celebrations show that Lunar New Year isn’t just a tradition — it’s a shared moment of joy, culture, and community across the country.