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Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year in Metro Vancouver

January 31, 2024

February 10th is the start of the Lunar New Year in 2024. Given Vancouver’s significant Chinese population, Chinese New Year is a major event in the city.

Lunar New Year isn’t just a Chinese celebration, however. Other countries and cultures celebrate it too. Traditionally Lunar New Year is celebrated for a full week in China. In some other countries that use the lunar calendar, like Korea, the celebrations last for three or so days. Other Asian countries celebrate Lunar New Year including the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and others.

In 2024, Lunar New Year is on February 10th which marks the start of the year of the Dragon.

Information in this article includes the following topics:

How to Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Vancouver

Below is a list of events that take place around the Lower Mainland to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021’s Year of the Ox celebrations were almost non-existent (except when celebrated with people from the same households in private homes and at restaurants). 2022 was the year of the Tiger and it started on February 1st. That year too not a lot happened because of the pandemic. In 2023, many celebrations returned for Lunar New Year on January 22nd. Last year was the year of the Rabbit.

In 2024, Lunar New Year is on Saturday, February 10th. For many, that date marks the beginning of the Year of the Dragon. See below to find out where celebrations are happening.

Chinese New Year Crowds in Chinatown — Chinatown after the Chinese New Year Parade

Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year in Vancouver

Below are events that normally happen in the City of Vancouver in the core of downtown and elsewhere within the city. Most are happening in 2024. With others, however, exact details are to be confirmed.

Lunar New Year Events in Downtown Vancouver

Chinese New Year events in downtown Vancouver usually include Lunarfest, Asian-themed films at FlyOver Canada, the Parade in Chinatown, Lunar New Year activities at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden, festivities at Chinatown Plaza and celebrations at the International Village Mall. New for 2024, there are also special activities at the Chinese Canadian Museum.

Chinese Canadian Museum Activities

The Chinese Canadian Museum in Vancouver’s Chinatown is the first of its kind in Canada. It’s an exceptional place to learn about the interesting history of Chinese Canadians. There are three different floors with display rooms and exhibitions to check out.

In 2024, the museum celebrates Lunar New Year with a few special activities. On the weekend of February 10th and 11th, there are tours offered in both English and Chinese. There’s also a calligraphy demonstration on the Saturday, as well as printmaking and lion dancing on the Sunday.

For more information about the attraction, see our article about the Chinese Canadian Museum or visit the chinesecanadianmuseum.ca.

Films at FlyOver Canada

FlyOver Canada is the multi-dimensional theatre at Canada Place. It normally shows Asian-themed films this time of year and 2024 is no exception. A few years ago the film was Flight of the Dragon which was a film about Mainland China. This year’s film is Soar Over Taiwan which features Taiwan.

Soar Over Taiwan shows at the multidimensional theatre from January 22nd to February 11th in 2024. It’s a great film and highly recommended.

Outside FlyOver Canada at Lunar New Year

Lunarfest Vancouver

Vancouver Lunarfest hosts Lunar New Year activities suitable for young children and their families in the plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery. Lunar New Year celebrations also take place at other locations around Vancouver.

In 2024 Lunarfest runs from February 9th to 29th. Activities outside the Vancouver Art Gallery run on the weekend of February 10th and 11th. There’s also a free concert at the Orpheum Theatre on February 13th. On the 2nd, 3rd and 4th weekends in February there are also special activities at Granville Island.

Historical Chinatown Tours

An exceptional way to explore Vancouver’s Chinatown and learn about its history is through a guided walk with Historical Chinatown Tours. The tours are hosted by Chinatown expert Judy Lam Maxwell. You can take a tour with her most days of the year. Her tours are especially popular, however, during the Lunar New Year.

Celebrations at International Village Mall

International Village is the mall in Vancouver’s Chinatown at 88 West Pender Street. It gets lively on the weekend of Chinese New Year with thousands of people wandering around, shopping, and checking out all the exhibits and vendor stalls.

When the public festivities take place, expect the mall to be especially busy during the weekend of the Chinese New Year Parade.

In 2024, on the Saturday and Sunday of February 10th and 11th, at the mall there are vendors, craft workshops, antiques and free games to enjoy. Admission to the mall is always free.

To learn more about what happens at Lunar New Year at the shopping centre, see our article about International Village Mall.

Chinese New Year Parade

The Chinese New Year Parade takes place most years in Vancouver’s Chinatown on the Sunday after New Year’s Day from 11:00 am until around 1:30 pm.

The parade goes up Pender Street, turns at Gore Street and then returns along Keefer. If the weather is good the parade can attract tens of thousands of people. This event is highly recommended – you’ll feel like you’re in Asia and it’s far cheaper than a flight to Beijing!

In 2024 the parade takes place on Sunday, February 11th.

For an idea of what to expect, the following video shows a short scene from Vancouver’s Chinese New Year Parade from a past year. It’s of a Lion Dance group at the corner of Keefer Street and Columbia (not far from the Chinese Cultural Centre).

As you’ll see in the video, the parade attracts large crowds. It’s loud, colourful and entertaining!

To see a longer video showing more scenes of the event see our article about the Chinese New Year Parade.

New Years at Vancouver’s Chinese Garden

In 2024 there are special activities at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden on the Saturday and Sunday of February 10th and 11th.

On the Saturday there are Light Engraving Workshops in the morning and afternoon. Participation costs $42. Admission to the garden is included. Then on the Sunday, activities run from noon until 5:00 pm. Admission ranges from $5 to $8 per person. The afternoon that day features live performances, storytelling, calligraphy and more.

Temple Fair at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden — Chinese New Year at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden

Festivities at Chinatown Plaza

Chinatown Plaza is a small shopping mall tucked away at 106 Keefer Street in Chinatown. On the afternoon of the parade the mall usually hosts live entertainment and lion dancing. Hopefully this is the case again in 2024.

The following short video shows a scene from the festivities at Chinatown Plaza. As you’ll see a good number of people visit the mall to enjoy the lion dancing and live entertainment. All the stores inside are also Asian-themed.

Chinese Restaurants in Vancouver

Vancouver has some great Chinese food restaurants, including the following which are some of the best:

Bao Bei – at 163 Keefer in Chinatown is one of the better yet very affordable Chinese restaurants in the area and serves excellent food.
Dynasty Seafood – an upscale award-winning Chinese restaurant famous for its dim sum located at 777 West Broadway. Open for lunch and dinner every day, except for statutory holidays. The place offers free parking – just let their staff know your stall number.
Kirin – an award-winning upscale Chinese restaurant located at 102-1172 Alberni Street in downtown Vancouver.

Chinese New Year Events in Richmond

With over 40% of its population being ethnic Chinese, Richmond is an obvious place to celebrate Lunar New Year. Below are some of the best places to do that most years.

Events at Religious Venues (in past years)

Dharma Drum Center New Year’s Celebrations – crafts and games for children as well as tea and meditation for adults at 8240 No. 5 Road. It’s a small and fairly simple event on the weekend of Chinese New Year’s Day, but free. (Not likely happening in 2024, at least not as a large event open to the general public.)
International Buddhist Temple – the largest Buddhist temple in North America used to invite the public to a day of celebrations on New Year’s Eve. It was amazing and free (although donations were greatly appreciated). (Not likely happening in 2024, at least not as a large event open to the general public.)

Leaving Richmond's Temple — International Buddhist Temple on New Year’s Eve

Events at Shopping Malls

Lunar New Year at Lansdowne Centre – Chinese New Year celebrations take place at the Lansdowne shopping mall on the weekend of Chinese New Year. In 2024 there’s a Lion Dance, artisan market and other activities on February 10th. There’s also a Lego dragon display to check out between February 3rd and 25th.
Lunar New Year Celebrations at Aberdeen Mall – this shopping centre offers a number of special events over the course of a week and two weekends most years. In 2024 there is a Chinese New Year Flower & Gift Fair from February 2nd to 11th and a New Year’s Eve Countdown on February 9th. There is also a Golden Dragon and Lion Dance on February 10th, and Cultural Spectacle performances on February 10th and 11th.

Best Chinese Restaurants in Richmond

What better way to celebrate the Chinese New Year than with dinner at one of the Lower Mainland’s top Chinese restaurants. A couple of the best in Richmond including the following:

Dinesty Chinese – a great casual restaurant famous for its dumplings, with locations at 1168-3779 Sexsmith Road and 160-8111 Ackroyd Road.
Kirin – a great upscale Chinese restaurant at 200 Three West Centre, 7900 Westminster Highway (at No. 3 Road).