Home Vancouver Events Calendar Festivals and Events in Vancouver in 2024 Vancouver Chinese New Year Celebrations and Parade

Vancouver Chinese New Year Celebrations and Parade

Chinatown during the Chinese New Year Parade

In 2024 Vancouver celebrates the Lunar New Year with the 49th annual Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown. It’s an impressive event!

The Year of the Dragon begins on February 10th in 2024. The parade usually takes place on the first Sunday after the start of the New Year. In 2024, that means the parade happens on February 11th. Other events also happen on that day, the night before, and for the rest of the week in various places throughout the Lower Mainland. See below for details.

 

Chinese Canadian Museum

 


NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES AT THE MUSEUM

TIP: The Chinese Canadian Museum hosts special events on the Lunar New Year weekend of February 10th and 11th in 2024. On both days there are tours of the museum at various times in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. On February 10th there are also calligraphy demonstrations from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm. Printmaking activities happen on the Sunday from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm.

To learn more about the Lunar New Year events at the museum that opened in Chinatown just last year, see the Chinese Canadian Museum website.


 

Chinese New Year Parade Crowds
East Pender on Parade Day

 

Chinese New Year’s Parade in Vancouver’s Chinatown

A Vancouver cultural festivity that you don’t want to miss is Chinatown‘s New Year’s parade (unless of course you don’t like crowds). In 2024 the event celebrates its 50th anniversary!

There is no need to travel abroad to experience China. On the day of the Chinese New Year Parade you’ll find yourself surrounded by about a billion Chinese and other Vancouverites (assuming good weather). You’ll also see the occasional colourful lion or dragon, and numerous bands and people in costumes marching down the streets.

At the parade there are marching bands, Chinese lion dancing and entries by numerous community businesses and non-profit groups.

At Vancouver’s Chinese New Year Parade, sidewalks along the route are packed full of people, the sounds of fire crackers fill the air, and Chinatown is without question the most exciting place in the city to be.

 


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

Vancouver’s Chinese New Year’s parade happens in Chinatown from 11:00 am until about 1:30 pm. Get there early to find a place 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!

Last year the Year of the Rabbit began on Sunday, January 22nd. The parade happened on that same day. After the parade, from around 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm, lion dances took place throughout the neighbourhood.

In 2024, the Year of the Dragon begins on Saturday, February 10th. The Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Parade, meanwhile, happens the next day, on Sunday, February 11th.

TIP: 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.

 

Historical Chinatown Tours

 


TOURS & FILMS

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 Chinese New Year, but at other times of the year too!

Want to fly to Asia and all around Taiwan without having to fly for hours on a plane or even leave Vancouver? Then check out the Soar Over Taiwan film at FlyOver Canada! It’s in town until February 11th in 2024.


 

FlyOver Canada Book Today Banner

 

New Year Parade Route

The parade 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 kilometres long and usually lasts for up to two-and-a-half hours.

Click Parade Map to see the route.

 

Shen Yun in Vancouver

 

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 on February 11th in 2024.

The video starts and finishes with views from a parkade looking down at 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 want to be above and away from the crowds, this can be a great place to be. 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. Last year, however, there was a set price (and there likely will be again in 2024, although exact details are to be confirmed). 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.

 

Vancouver events at Lunar New Year

Keefer Street at Chinese New Year
Keefer Street on Parade Day

 

Other Information

Click Chinese New Year Events for other celebratory activities in Metro Vancouver.

To learn more about the parade, see the Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver‘s website.

Check out Vancouver’s February Calendar or click Festivals and Events for lists of other major Lower Mainland events.

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