LunarFest celebrations continue at Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza this weekend

You may have celebrated the Lunar New Year on February 16 but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep the joy going.

It’s the perfect Year of the Dog and LunarFest celebrations are set to continue at the Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza this coming weekend. On Saturday, February 24 and Sunday, February 25 you can go along to the newly-renovated Plaza to enjoy a wealth of free activities set up for both you and your canine friend to enjoy.

The event will also feature the many communities that have joined together in celebrating the year of the dog, including some that do not traditionally recognize the Lunar New Year. The Slovak, Korean, Indonesian, Japanese, and Okinawa communities, among others, will be joining the festivities.

To help you see why it’s worth visiting the Plaza this weekend, we’ve rounded up the top things you can do there.

Moon Crawl

There are hundreds of moons in our solar system, from brilliant balls of crystal ice to volcanic orbs of radiant beauty. This weekend, you can lose yourself in a sea of celestial bodies in downtown Vancouver 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. P.S, it’s so much fun.

LunarFest Market

You can go along to Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza this weekend to enjoy everything from food trucks to doggie arts and crafts. Yep, we’re serious. It’s the optimal doggie day out and you can indulge in some appetizing Lunar Eats food while you’re there. This includes traditional fare and of course, your festival favourites (hurricane fries).

Lanterns of Blessing

Check out the art display featuring hundreds of Lanterns of Blessings decorated by Vancouver schoolchildren (thanks to a partnership with Vancouver School Board) as well as the Vancouver Canucks. 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.

Meet Canadog – The Space Husky

Canadog/LunarFest

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 their happiness with everyone around them during LunarFest and year-round when you meet the giant Canadog which will be joined by dozens of smaller friends in a separate art installation called ‘Who’s Leashed?’

Lunar Crafts

Get in touch with your artistic side by making some traditional and contemporary lunar crafts at the Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza. You’ll have the chance to make a fortune catcher, a shuttlecock, wonder turner, paper magic, a paper doghouse, puppy lanterns, and more. For more information visit LunarFest.

LunarFest at the Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza

When: February 24 and February 25
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza – 750 Hornby Street
Price: FREE

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See also

• 7 things you can enjoy at LunarFest in Vancouver this month
• This is the ultimate dog lover’s guide to LunarFest in Vancouver
• 2 art installations at LunarFest that you need on your Instagram feed