Vancouver's Chinatown celebrates 45th Lunar New Year Parade (PHOTOS)

Vancouver held its 45th Spring Festival Parade over the weekend to celebrate the beginning of the year in the Chinese Lunar calendar.

The celebration featured cultural dance troupes, marching bands, martial arts performances and the largest assembly of traditional lion dance teams in Canada.

The Chinese Lunar Year Calendar officially began on Friday February 16 and celebrations can take place for up to 15 days after the year kicks off.

See also

• "Jump For Joy" photo mural brings uplifting energy to a Chinatown alley (PHOTOS)
• “Little Italy” officially designated during Italian Day in Vancouver
• "Chinese Representative" sought after by "Canadian Investors" in funny Craigslist ad

According to organizers, the Spring Festival Parade had 3,000 participants and drew over 100,000 spectators.  Here’s a roundup of some of the best photos from the parade.

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Celebrating Chinese New Year at Vancouver’s annual Lunar New Year Parade! 🇨🇦🐶🐉

A post shared by JORDEN TEO (@jorden) on Feb 18, 2018 at 5:23pm PST

Thanks to everyone who came out today for Vancouver’s Lunar New Year Parade! 🐶 The sun was out, the red pockets were flowing as we welcomed the year of the dog. . . . . . #lunarnewyear #vanspringfestival #yearofthedog #vancouver #cityofvancouver #chinatownyvr #finthemascot #vancouvercanucks #canucksfin

A post shared by Vancouver Mayor’s Office (@vanmayorsoffice) on Feb 18, 2018 at 3:24pm PST

The dragon dance, is a traditional Chinese dance performance. A team of performers use poles to rhythmically move the dragon. This dragon was spotted at Vancouver’s Chinese New Year Parade yesterday ! More images to come ! @chinatownjudy @chinatown.today #worldpeopleproject #chinatownyvr

A post shared by Tallulah (@worldpeopleproject) on Feb 19, 2018 at 8:49am PST

Happy Chinese New Year! 🇨🇳🏮🎎🎏 新年快乐#analynlatcuartophotography #dailyhivevan #604now #vancity #vancitybuzz #yearofthedog #2018 #chinesestyle #chinesenewyear2018 #pne #vancitynow #vancityfeed #vancityfeature #vancityfeed @vancity #604canvas #narcityvancouver #photography #vancouverisawesome #veryvancouver #dailyhivevan #explore #chinatown #explorebc #exploremore #vancouverbc #worldseries #canada #chineseculture #chinatownyvr #vancitynow #chinesenewyear #happynewyear

A post shared by Analyn Cuarto (@analynlatcuarto_photography) on Feb 18, 2018 at 3:00pm PST

No reservations required when you can dance like this. . . . . . #vancouvering #canada #veryvancouver #yvr #cbcvancouver #vancityscape #vancouvercanada #vancity #vancouverisawesome #dailyhivevan #globalbc #ctvvancouver #604now #vanmagram #vancitynow #imagesofcanada #georgiastraight #explorecanada #vancityvibe #vancityfeed #likevancouver #getolympus #chinatownyvr #lunarnewyear #cny #yearofthedog #lunarfestivalbc #dancers

A post shared by @ jklightstalker on Feb 18, 2018 at 5:14pm PST

🐉⛩🐉 Thank You To The 900+ Locals That Came Thru Todays #GetLuckyArtShow @fortunesound Curated By @districtlocal 🐕🥡🐕 Beautiful Day For The #LunarNewYear Parade In #ChinatownYVR & Hope U Enjoi’d Get Lucky’s Group Art Show, Vendors & Dumpling Bar 💞🥟💞 🤳 @bb.coconutbuns 🐕⛩🐕

A post shared by Fortune Sound Club (@fortunesound) on Feb 18, 2018 at 6:01pm PST

Chinese New Year parade #chinatownparade #vancouverchinatown #vancouverchinatownparade #chinatownyvr #dragandance #appleiphone #iphonex

A post shared by Albert Tsai (@anltsai) on Feb 19, 2018 at 9:27am PST

The one that gives life to the lion. #chinesenewyearparade #chinesenewyear #vancouverchinatown #vancouverisawesome #streetphotography For more photos see link in bio.

A post shared by Willie Waung (@willie.streettog) on Feb 19, 2018 at 1:33am PST

A must! #chinesenewyear #parade #vancouver #chinatown

A post shared by Carlos Quereda (@queridoco) on Feb 20, 2018 at 6:32am PST

Lunar new year 🌕

A post shared by Megan Brydie (@meganfomfeggan) on Feb 19, 2018 at 11:55pm PST

A post shared by Martina Pontini (@i.am.ninjapirate) on Feb 19, 2018 at 8:30pm PST

Smoke us out

A post shared by @ mdelaheyphotos on Feb 19, 2018 at 7:44pm PST

It’s all good here

A post shared by @ mdelaheyphotos on Feb 19, 2018 at 7:41pm PST

#liondance #chinesenewyear #yearofthedog #honhsingathleticclub #honhsing

A post shared by Ryan (@numix_ryan) on Feb 19, 2018 at 7:00pm PST

Chinese cosplay: the God of Wealth🤣 . . . . . . #fujifilm #fujilove #fujifeed #fujifilmxseries #myfujifilm #fujifilm_street #fujixt2 #fujinon1655mm #xf1655 #classicchrome #dailyhivevan #vancouverbc #chinatownyvr #lensculturestreet #urbanphoto #lunarnewyear #vancity #urbanexploring #festival #chaishen #godofwealth #chinatownparade #streetphoto #capturethemoment . . .

A post shared by Stephen Tam (@little_stephy0925) on Feb 19, 2018 at 6:01pm PST

Happy Chinese New Year. The year of the dog 🐶 Feliz Ano Novo Chines. Ano do Cachorro. #chinesenewyear #vancouver #chinatown #yearofthedog

A post shared by Vanessa de Luca (@vanessa.deluca2) on Feb 19, 2018 at 5:51pm PST

🦁 #chinatownyvr #新年快乐 #lunarnewyear

A post shared by christina [李嘉明] (@knothappening) on Feb 19, 2018 at 12:40pm PST

Happy Chinese New Year 🐕 🐉 testing out @canoncanada 135 f2 lens at the cny parade in Chinatown. Followed by too many boa’s. What’s your favourite dim sum? . . . . . . . . . . . . #dimsum #cny #cnyvancouver #chinesecanadian #vancitybuzz #vancouverisawesome #igvancouver #yvr #vancouver4life #veryvancouver #cny2016 #yearofthemonkey #redpocket #lunarnewyear #vancouver #yearofthedog #chinesenewyear #chinesetradition #newlunaryear #vancouverheritage #vancouverchinatown

A post shared by Justin Henton (@justin.travel) on Feb 19, 2018 at 1:01pm PST