Chinatown during the Chinese New Year Parade

In 2026 Vancouver celebrates the Lunar New Year with the 52nd annual Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown. It’s an impressive event.

The year of the Horse begins on February 17th in 2026. Vancouver’s Chinese New Year Parade has been running annually since 1973. The parade and other festivities traditionally take place on the first Sunday after the Lunar New Year begins. Consequently, this year, the parade and its related events happen on Sunday, February 22nd.

NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES AT THE MUSEUM

TIP: The Chinese Canadian Museum hosts special events on the Lunar New Year weekend.

See the Chinese Canadian Museum website to learn more about the Lunar New Year events at the museum in Chinatown.

Chinese New Year Parade Crowds — East Pender on Parade Day

Chinese New Year’s Parade in Vancouver’s Chinatown

One of Vancouver’s most anticipated cultural events is the annual Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown.

On parade day, visitors don’t need to travel far to experience Chinese culture. Chinatown can get packed with spectators lining the route, along with colourful lion and dragon dancers, marching bands, and participants representing community organizations, businesses, and non-profit groups. Firecrackers echo through the streets, performances unfold block by block, and the neighbourhood is transformed into one of the city’s most energetic places.

See below for information about Vancouver’s Chinese New Year Parade, or click Lunar New Year Activities for a list of multiple ways to celebrate the event, including the parade.

Chinatown and Chinese Cultural Centre — Vancouver’s Chinatown

When and Where?

In 2026, the Chinese New Year Parade takes place in Chinatown from approximately 11:00 am until 1:00 pm or 1:30 pm. Following the parade, lion dances continue throughout the neighbourhood from around 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm.

The Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Parade typically occurs a few days after Lunar New Year Day, following long-standing tradition. Streets such as Pender, Gore, and Keefer are popular viewing areas, and crowds begin gathering well before the parade begins.

International Village Mall, located in the heart of Chinatown, is especially lively over the Lunar New Year weekend. In the days leading up to the parade and on parade day itself, the mall features vendors selling artisan goods and Lunar New Year-themed items, making it a popular stop for visitors.

Tips for Visitors

TIP #1: Get there early to find a place where you can see the road, somewhere along Pender, Gore, or Keefer near the entrance gate to Chinatown. Unless it’s raining and miserable, prepare yourself for the crowds – the throng of people is a cultural experience in itself.

TIP #2: Right in the heart of Chinatown is the International Village Mall. It’s an especially interesting place to visit on the weekend of the Lunar New Year. On the day of the parade and the day before, the mall is full of vendors selling artisan products and Chinese New Year-themed souvenirs.

WALKING TOURS AROUND CHINATOWN

Want to learn about Chinatown and its history? Want to see inside some of its heritage buildings? Then go for a walk with Historical Chinatown Tours. The lady who leads them is an expert on the area and gets exceptional reviews. The tours take place around the Chinese New Year, but at other times of the year too.

New Year Parade Route

The parade usually goes down West Pender under the Chinatown Millennium Gate, up Gore Street, and then back up along Keefer Street. In total, the route is about 1.3 km long and usually lasts for up to two-and-a-half hours. It’s likely the same route in 2026.

Chinese New Year Parade Video

Below is a short video of the parade in Vancouver’s Chinatown. Filmed a few years ago, the video will give you an idea of what to expect this year.

The video opens and closes with views from a parkade looking down on the corner of Carrall Street and Keefer. The second scene is of a lion dance going down the parade route along East Pender. The third scene is of parade participants marching west along Keefer Street.

Tips for Parade Viewing

Below are some tips and suggestions to help you maximize your Chinatown Parade experience the next time it takes place.

TIP #1: On Keefer Street by Columbia, there is a giant building with a parkade and the words “CHINATOWN” written down the side on a red and yellow neon sign. If you want a good view and to be above and away from the crowds, this can be a great place. Look up from the street, and you can see people peering down and enjoying the parade from a comfortable and less congested distance.

TIP #2: Either before or after the parade, consider visiting International Village at 88 West Pender. This normally fairly quiet shopping mall completely comes alive during the Lunar New Year. Inside, in addition to thousands of people, you’ll find an assortment of performances and stalls selling all kinds of festive items (or at least that’s the case most years).

TIP #3: While in Chinatown, check out the festivities at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden at 578 Carrall Street. Running from around 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, the festivities there typically include dance performances, live music, a lion dance and other family-friendly cultural activities. Admission used to be by donation. In the last few years, however, there has been a set price. Expect the place to be busy.

TIP #4: If you want to learn about the history of Chinese Canadians in Vancouver and elsewhere in this country, be sure to visit the Chinese Canadian Museum. Located at 51 East Pender Street in the heart of Chinatown, it’s an excellent museum.

TIP #5: See our article about LunarFest for more activities and ways to celebrate the New Year. LunarFest is a series of events featuring live performances, lantern displays, film screenings and more.