18 Lunar New Year events happening in Metro Vancouver

Gong xi fa cai! The Year of the Rat kicks off on January 25, and there are many fun Lunar New Year events happening in Metro Vancouver to celebrate before, during, and after. From River District Lunar New Year Celebration to Coastal Lunar Lanterns, here are 18 events to check out this year.

For more things happening around town, check out our events section.

A Community Of Castles

What: Oakridge Centre and LunarFest presents A Community Of Castles, an art installation and photo opportunity to celebrate the Lunar New Year. LunarFest has created four structures to pay homage to the distinct architecture. cuisine and celebration style of four Asian cultures. The Castles and The Lifestyles made by Taiwanese and Canadian artists display scenery from Taiwan, Vietnam, South Korea, and China, with the unique carvings portraying food and gatherings often found during the Lunar New Year.

When: Now to February 10, 2020
Where: Oakridge Centre – 650 W 41st Avenue, Vancouver
Admission: Free

Coastal Lunar Lanterns

What: The Asian-Canadian Special Events Association has created an iconic installation for Lunar New Year. From January 18 to February 9, eight gigantic lanterns designed by Indigenous artists will be set up and illuminated at the Jack Poole Plaza, using the mountains and water as a backdrop.

When: Now until February 9, 2020
Where: Jack Poole Plaza – 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
Admission: Free

Aberdeen Centre’s Chinese New Year Flower & Gift Fair

What: The hallways of Aberdeen Centre will be transformed into a Chinese New Year Flower & Gift Fair, featuring vendors selling including gifts, decorations, fresh flowers, crafts, food, home goods, and more. There will also be a Golden Dragon and Lion Dance on January 25 at 11 am and 12:15 pm, hosted by Mayor Malcolm Brodie and three-level government officials.

When: Now until January 26, 2020
Time: 11 am to 7 pm
Where: Aberdeen Centre — 4151 Hazelbridge Way, Richmond
Admission: Free

Lion Dance for Chinese New Year

What: UBC Kung Fu Association presents a Lion Dance for the Chinese New Year at UBC’s Beaty Biodiversity Museum on January 22.

When: January 22, 2020
Time: 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Where: Beaty Biodiversity Museum — 2212 Main Mall, Vancouver,
Admission: Included with museum admission or membership.

The Dalmore Chinese New Year Dinner at Origo Club

What: Origo Club will pay early homage to two big celebrations in January — Robbie Burns Day and Chinese New Year — when it hosts The Dalmore Chinese New Year Dinner. The evening will feature special guest and The Dalmore Ambassador Louis-Jérôme Doise and a six-course Scotch-pairing dinner prepared by Chef David Pan to mark The Year of the Rat and the upcoming birthday of Scottish poet Robert Burns.

When: January 23, 2020
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Origo Club — 6888 River Road #110, Richmond
Price: $220; buy online

Chinese New Year Countdown at International Buddhist Temple

What: International Buddhist Temple hosts a Chinese New Year Countdown on January 24. Enjoy cultural celebrations throughout the day, with the countdown starting at 10:30 pm.

When: January 24, 2020
Time: Countdown from 10:30 pm to 12 midnight. Activities throughout the day.
Where: International Buddhist Society — 9160 Steveston Highway, Richmond
Admission: Free

Chinese New Year Celebration at International Village Mall

What: International Village Mall’s celebration features traditional Chinese spring festivities and rituals, as well as exhibition and sales booths on the Main and Upper Mall Levels. There will be Chinese New Year items, multicultural live performances and more. This three-day event includes an opening celebration with a ceremonial lion dance.

When: January 24 to 26, 2020
Time: Various times
Where: International Village Mall — 88 W Pender Street, Vancouver
Admission: Free

LunarFest Celebrations

What: LunarFest Celebrations take place at Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza – šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énk Square on January 25 and 26, with live performances, community booths, merchandise, crafts and more for the whole family to enjoy.

When: January 25 and 26, 2020
Time: Various times
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza — šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énk Square
Admission: Free

River District Lunar New Year Celebration

What: River District is hosting its second annual Lunar New Year Celebration, with traditional lion dance performances at the Town Centre starting at 11 am to bring good luck and fortune to individuals and businesses. There will be lucky red envelopes, fortune cookies, lunar new year themed drinks inside Everything Wine, refreshments by Westminster Savings and more. At 1 pm the festivities will continue at the River District Neighbourhood Centre, including another lion dance and an interactive Tai Chi demonstration.

When: January 25, 2020
Time: 11 am to 12:30 pm (River District Town Centre); 1 pm to 3 pm (River District Neighbourhood Centre)
Where: River District Town Centre – Corner of Sawmill Crescent and River District Crossing; River District Neighbourhood Centre – 8683 Kerr Street, Vancouver
Admission: Free

A Musical Banquet : A Feast of Sumptuous Classical Music

What: LunarFest presents Chai Found Music Workshop (CFMW) and their chamber-music interpretation, A Musical Banquet: A Feast of Sumptuous Classical Music, on January 25 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Chai Found Music Workshop CFMW has performed around the world, including in Taiwan, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

When: January 25, 2020
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre — 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Tickets: Online

47th Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Parade

What: The Chinese New Year Parade features lion dances, marching bands, cultural dancers, martial artists, and more. The annual parade winds its way through Chinatown, and is expected to draw 100,000 spectators along the route.

When: January 26, 2020
Time: Begins at 11 am and will last about 2.5 hours
Where: Vancouver Chinatown. Parade starts at Millennium Gate on Pender Street, heads east along Pender Street, turns south onto Gore Street, turns west onto Keefer Street and then ends on Keefer at Abbott.
Admission: Free

Year of the Rat Temple Fair

What: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden hosts Year of the Rat Temple Fair, with live music and performances, calligraphy contest, tea tastings, and more.

When: January 26, 2020
Time: 11 am to 4 pm
Where: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden – 578 Carrall Street, Vancouver
Admission: By donation. Suggested $5

Lunar New Year Celebration at CF Richmond Centre

What: CF Richmond Centre celebrates Lunar New Year with a Lion Dance Ceremony with the God of Fortune on January 26.

When: January 26, 2020
Time: 11 am to 2 pm
Where: CF Richmond Centre — 6551 No. 3 Road, Richmond
Admission: Free

Richmond Chinese Community Society TD Lunar New Year Celebration at Lansdowne Centre

What: Richmond Chinese Community Society, Lansdowne Centre and TD Bank presents a Lunar New Year Celebration on January 26 at Lansdowne Centre. The event includes an opening ceremony, live entertainment, giveaways, community booths, and Lion Dance.

When: January 26, 2020
Time: 12:30 to 5 pm
Where: Lansdowne Centre – Centre Court — 5300 No. 3 Road., Richmond
Admission: Free

Feasts of Coquitlam: Lunar New Year Dinner

What: Coquitlam Heritage hosts Feasts of Coquitlam in celebration of Lunar New Year. Cook Jessica Yue will teach attendees how to make three traditional Chinese dishes: Chinese Lions Head (Braised Pork Meatballs), Abalone Lucky Bag with XO sauce and sesame balls for dessert. She will also share info about Lunar New Year traditions, and join participants for the feast.

When: January 29, 2020
Time: 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: Coquitlam Heritage — 1116 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam
Tickets: Online

Lunar New Year on Burnaby Heights

What: Burnaby Heights celebrates the Year of the Rat with merchants and shoppers on February 1 from 12 to 4 p.m. Attendees will enjoy Lion Dancers performing the traditional blessing ceremony at participating Heights merchants between Boundary Road and Gamma Avenue on Hastings Street. There will also be giveaways throughout the afternoon.

When: February 1, 2020
Time: 12 to 4 pm
Where: Burnaby Heights Neighbourhood
Admission: Free

Lunar New Year at Museum of Surrey

What: Museum of Surrey and Chinese Village Club present a Lunar New Year celebration on February 1. Enjoy dragon and lion dances at 1 pm and 2 pm, try Chinese Lunar New Year food and Teapressu Bubble Tea Food Cart. Plus children can make festive crafts.

When: February 1, 2020
Time: 12:30 to 4 pm
Where: Museum of Surrey — 17710 56a Avenue, Surrey
Admission: Free

Lunar New Year at Lonsdale Quay Market

What: Lonsdale Quay celebrates the Year of the Rat on February 1. Enjoy a live performance by traditional fan dancer Jessica Yue, Lion Dancers, a Fortune god and balloon twisters.

When: February 1, 2020
Time: 2:30 to 4:30 pm
Where: Lonsdale Quay Market — 123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Admission: Free