100,000+ expected at Vancouver's huge Lunar New Year parade next month

One of the city’s largest annual parades is returning to Chinatown next month to help kick off Lunar New Year celebrations in Vancouver.

The 51st Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Celebration is happening on Sunday, February 2, 2025, the fifth day of the Year of the Snake.

The popular event is expected to draw over 5,000 participants and more than 100,000 spectators to the neighbourhood, with family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and more for everyone to enjoy.

S.U.C.C.E.S.S./Facebook

Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Celebration is organized by the Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver, Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver, Vancouver Chinatown Merchants Association, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., Chinese Freemasons Vancouver Branch, Shon Yee Benevolent Association of Canada, and several community and multicultural groups.

This year’s event will showcase more than 70 cultural groups from various communities. Attendees can expect to see dance troupes, marching bands, martial arts performances, and traditional lion dance and dragon dance teams.

The 2024 event drew nearly 200,000 spectators, so make sure to arrive early to snag a good viewing spot.

Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Celebration

Attendees can catch the 1.3 km parade at 11 am at the Millennium Gate on Pender Street (between Shanghai Alley and Taylor Street). The procession, featuring a wide array of cultural groups, will wind its way east along Pender Street and then turn south onto Gore Street.

The colourful parade will turn west onto Keefer Street and then disperse at the intersection of Keefer at Carrall. The entire event is estimated to take about three hours.

Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Celebration

Festivities continue with the free Spring Festival Cultural Fair at the Chinese Cultural Centre and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Plaza from 2 to 4 pm, with multicultural artistic performances and more for all ages to enjoy.

Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Celebration and Parade

When: February 2, 2025
Time: 11 am (parade start), 2 to 4 pm (fair)
Where: Various locations throughout Chinatown
Cost: Free for parade and fair