Vancouver Chinatown Festival

The Vancouver Chinatown Festival is a multicultural event in Chinatown that features live entertainment, food vendors and other activities in the summer.

In 2025 the festival happened on July 12th and 13th. That was the same weekend as the Carnaval del Sol Latin festival in Vancouver, Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Festival in Surrey, and both the Harrison Festival of the Arts and Fort Langley Hawaiian Luau in the Fraser Valley. There was also the Squamish Nation Youth Pow Wow and Festivibe Festival on Vancouver’s North Shore.

See our July Calendar of Events to learn about the above and other events happening this time of year. Continue reading for information about the Vancouver Chinatown Festival.

This article contains the following information about the festival:

When and Where | What’s on at the Festival | Tips & Advice | Other Information

Vancouver’s Chinatown Festival

The Vancouver Chinatown Festival features dance and music performances, plenty of family-friendly activities and shows, a walking tour of the neighbourhood, and more.

In 2025 the festival took place on the Saturday and Sunday of July 12th and 13th. Other things to do in Metro Vancouver around the same time include major events like the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Symphony in the Park and Opera in the Park.

See our July Calendar of Events to learn about what else happens this month. Continue reading for information about the Vancouver Chinatown Festival.

Chinatown Chinese Festival — Keefer Street at Vancouver Chinatown Festival

When and Where

This event typically happens on a weekend in mid-July. It runs from noon until 6:00 pm on both the Saturday and Sunday.

Each year the event takes place in Vancouver’s Chinatown around the corner of Keefer Street and Columbia Street near the Chinese Cultural Centre which is located at 555 Columbia Street. At the intersection of the two streets there is a large outdoor stage where the entertainment takes place. There are also usually seats for audience members to sit at. For a block along Keefer Street you’ll find a row of community information booths and a small number of vendors. In the area there are also a few food trucks.

The nearest SkyTrain Station is Stadium-Chinatown on the Expo Line which is less than a 10-minute walk away.

JAZZ FESTIVAL IN FORT LANGLEY

Another highly-recommended event that happens in July is the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival. It features ticketed events, but also lots of free concerts. The festival runs from July 23rd to 26th in 2026.

What’s on at the Festival

Highlights of the festival in Chinatown include kids’ and cultural diversity corners, live on-stage performances, an artisan’s market displaying unique gifts and crafts from a variety of vendors, and mahjong, which is a traditional and popular Chinese game that’s enjoyed widely. Some years there is also a petting zoo with live animals for children to enjoy up close as well as other fun things to see and do.

Part of the festival’s opening ceremony is a traditional Lion Dance. There are other dance and musical performances on an outdoor stage throughout the weekend too. As well, there are a few food trucks on hand and, sometimes, a movie night on the first evening.

This year’s festival had lots of new and exciting things for all ages to enjoy. Bubble Stilt Walker greeted guests with floating bubbles. On the main stage, there were live performances like Chinese cultural dance, Japanese dance, K-pop and Canton pop, tap dancing, a marching band, Brazilian samba, live music bands and a Chinese music orchestra.

In the Children’s Theatre, kids can enjoy a special Science World show, magic shows, The Penny Pom Pom Show and storytelling with Story on Wheels. There are also meet-and-greets with Elsa and Anna and Barbie and Ken.

The Kids’ Corner includes mini games, face painting, balloon twisting, T-shirt and henna painting, temporary tattoos and fencing try-outs. In addition, there are free Sportball workshops and a chance to meet VanVan, the festival mascot.

In the Cultural Diversity Corner, you can join a Wok Around Chinatown tour with Bob Sung, take part in lantern and fan-making, try calligraphy and Chinese painting and take pictures at the giant mahjong and wedding sedan photo booths.

Attendees can find an artisan market with handmade goods, international food trucks and a “Where’s VanVan?” social media challenge. Additionally, visitors can enter giveaways for free tickets to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Chinese Canadian Museum and Chinatown Storytelling Centre.

Tips & Advice

Below are some tips and suggestions to help you make the most of your experience at the Chinatown Festival.

TIP #1: While in the area, be sure to also check out the Chinese Canadian Museum and Historical Chinatown Tours. Both are fabulous ways to learn about the area and Chinese Canadian history.

TIP #2: Another interesting place to check out is Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden. Also good to know, right next door is Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park which is also very pretty, and admission to it is free.

Other Information

Click Vancouver Chinatown Festival for more details about the event.

Click Vancouver Chinatown for information about things to do while in the neighbourhood. In that article you’ll learn about places of interest in the area, including the Chinese Canadian Museum.

Check out the Festivals & Events Calendar for other events going on in Metro Vancouver.

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