LunarFest Vancouver is a celebration of the Lunar New Year. The arts and cultural festival features live entertainment, lantern displays and more.
The 2026 festival takes place from February 14th to February 28th. It features lots of interesting activities, including during the Lunar New Year weekend, which coincides with the Family Day Long Weekend in February 2026. The first day of the Year of the Horse is 17th February, 2026.
Visit lunarfestvancouver.ca for the festival’s official website.
This article contains the following information about LunarFest:
LunarFest Schedule | The Lantern City in Vancouver | LunarFest Community Celebrations | LunarFest Concert | LNY Splash | Other Information
LunarFest Vancouver
The Lunar New Year is a traditional celebration in many Asian cultures. It’s the first day of a calendar based on the cycles of the moon where one of 12 zodiac animals represents each year. 2026 is the Year of the Horse (or at least that’s the case in most cultures celebrating the day).
LunarFest is an annual celebration of the Lunar New Year in Vancouver. The festival first began in 2009. It was a notable part of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and has been taking place since then. The festival features artistic displays, exhibits, performances, and workshops over a few weeks in February.Â
Hosted by the same organization behind TaiwanFest in September, the LunarFest series of events begins on January 27th through February 22nd in 2026. Other LunarFest-related events that also celebrate Lunar New Year are The Lantern City and LNY Splash. The first of these features a number of lantern art displays in downtown Vancouver. The second showcases several films at the VIFF Centre.
The series of events includes everyone. It’s an expression of several Asian cultures with the goal of bringing local communities together.
Visit the lunarfestvancouver.ca website to learn more about the festival.
LunarFest Schedule
LunarFest Vancouver 2026 takes place from February 14th to 28th. The theme of the 2026 festival is “Brave the Wind.” Events for the 2026 festival are listed below.
The Lantern City
Lantern displays take place at the following locations in 2026:
- šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (750 Hornby Street) – February 14th to March 9th.
- Granville Island at Ocean Artworks (1531 Johnston Street) – February 14th to March 8th.
- Pendulum Gallery (885 West Georgia Street) – February 2nd to 27th.
- Bentall Centre (505 Burrard Street) – February 9th to March 9th.
- Robson Plaza (800 Robson Street) – February 14th to March 9th.
Continue reading, see our article about The Lantern City or visit the website thelanterncity.ca to learn more.
LunarFest Celebrations
Other events and activities take place at the locations below in 2026.
- Ocean Artworks at Granville Island (1531 Johnston Street) – select dates between February 14th and 22nd.
- Island Plaza at Granville Island (1648 Johnston Street) – on February 14th to 16th.
- Chain & Forge Plaza at Granville Island (1425 Anderson Street) – on February 14th to 16th.
- Performance Works at Granville Island (1218 Cartwright Street) – on February 27th and 28th.
- Asian-Canadian Special Events Association (1111 Union Street) – on February 7th and 15th.
LunarFest Concert
A special performance takes place in downtown Vancouver in 2026. Tickets are available online and are pay-what-you-can.
- The Orpheum (601 Smithe Street) – February 24th.
Performers at this year’s concert include Fooderlon Theater, Kristin Fung, and Harmonia & WVYB Strings.
Continue reading to learn more about some of the featured events listed above.
The Lantern City in Vancouver
There are The Lantern City art installations at šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (outside the Vancouver Art Gallery), the Pendulum Gallery, Bentall Centre, Robson Plaza and Granville Island in 2026. The displays are free to admire and each location has a different theme.
Details about the 2026 exhibitions are below.
Lantern City at the Vancouver Art Gallery: Renewal
The art installation in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery takes place in šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square which is in the 800 block of West Georgia Street between Howe Street and Hornby.
The theme of 2026’s lanterns outside the art gallery is “Renewal.” The lantern art recognizes and showcases the concept of rebirth in the cycle of life. The displays at this location can be admired anytime between February 14th and March 9th, 2026.
Lantern City at the Bentall Centre: Brave the Wind
A lantern art installation is also set up at the Bentall Centre at 505 Burrard Street, a couple of blocks from Canada Place and the Coal Harbour Seawall.
The display at this venue can be seen anytime between February 9th and March 9th in 2026. It’s called “Brave the Wind” and features the works of South Asian artists.
Visit the lunarfestvancouver.ca website to learn more about the festival.
Lantern City at Robson Plaza: We Are a Family
Another lantern art installation is on display at Robson Plaza, 800 Robson Street. It’s up between February 14th and March 9th, 2026.
The 2026 display is called “We Are a Family.” Inspired by the fearlessness and graceful nature of horses, this display showcases the city’s diverse communities.
Lantern City at Granville Island: Forever Young
This part of The Lantern City art installations is on display at Ocean Artworks on Granville Island from February 14th to March 8th. The lanterns are free to view at any time between these dates and feature a “Forever Young” theme. The lanterns are meant to inspire the creativity of children and the inner child in everyone else.
Ocean Artworks is a covered, outdoor pavilion and public space located at 1531 Johnston Street. It’s close to the Granville Island Public Market and, almost, but not quite, directly under the Granville Street Bridge. The lanterns were great to see in combination with a visit to the market and other shops at Granville Island, or while in the area for shopping, dinner at a restaurant or seeing some theatre.
Best times to check out the lanterns were at night (when they were at their prettiest), or during the day when LunarFest Community Celebrations were also taking place.
(TIP: Granville Island is famous for its unique shops, art studios, restaurants and theatres. It’s also next to the False Creek Seawall which is a great place for walks and leisurely bike rides.)
Visit the lunarfestvancouver.ca website to learn more about the festival.
Lantern City at the Pendulum Gallery: On the Road
An exhibition is also set up inside the Pendulum Gallery. Located at 885 West Georgia Street, the featured displays are about different generations, independence, the stages of life, and more. The exhibition is on view from February 2nd to 27th in 2026.
(TIP: The Pendulum Gallery is across the street from the Vancouver Art Gallery, which is another location with lantern displays from February 14th to March 9th. It’s worth checking out both locations while in the area!)
Visit the website thelanterncity.ca to learn more about Lantern City events.
LunarFest Community Celebrations
Events and activities are usually held at a couple of different locations, including Ocean Artworks on Granville Island and Å¡xʷƛ̓ənÉ™q Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (which is the north plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery). In 2026, there are also activities at a few other venues. This year’s schedule of community events and activities is listed below.
Saturday, February 7th, 2026
- 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm – Ticketed Workshop: Breathe New Life into Multicultural Cooking (at 1111 Union Street)
Saturday, February 14th, 2026
- 11:00 am to 4:00 pm – LunarFest Workshop: Sculpting the Lunar Dragon Racing into Spring, Lunar Eats: Lunar Snacks, Lunar Trivia (at the Ocean Artworks Pavilion)
- 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm – LNY Rocking Horse Pop-Up Photo Op (at Chain & Forge Plaza)
- 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm – Performance: Who’s the Leader? (at Island Plaza)
- 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Performance: Who’s the Leader? (at Island Plaza)
Sunday, February 15th, 2026
- 11:00 am to 4:00 pm – LunarFest Workshop: Sculpting the Lunar Dragon Racing into Spring, Lunar Eats: Lunar Snacks, Lunar Trivia (at the Ocean Artworks Pavilion)
- 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm – LNY Rocking Horse Pop-Up Photo Op (at Chain & Forge Plaza)
- 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm – Performance: Who’s the Leader? (at Island Plaza)
- 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm – Ticketed Workshop: Breathe New Life into Multicultural Cooking (at 1111 Union Street)
- 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Performance: Who’s the Leader? (at Island Plaza)
Monday, February 16th, 2026
- 11:00 am to 4:00 pm – LunarFest Workshop: Sculpting the Lunar Dragon Racing into Spring, Lunar Trivia, Lunar Eats: Lunar Snacks (at the Ocean Artworks Pavilion)
- 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm – LNY Rocking Horse Pop-Up Photo Op (at Chain & Forge Plaza)
- 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Performance: Who’s the Leader? (at Island Plaza)
Visit the lunarfestvancouver.ca website to learn more about the festival.
Tuesday, February 17th, 2026
- 11:30 am to 1:30 pm – LNY Rocking Horse Pop-Up Photo Op (at Å¡xʷƛ̓ənÉ™q Xwtl’e7énḵ Square, weather permitting)
Wednesday, February 18th, 2026
- 11:30 am to 1:30 pm – LNY Rocking Horse Pop-Up Photo Op (at Å¡xʷƛ̓ənÉ™q Xwtl’e7énḵ Square, weather permitting)
Thursday, February 19th, 2026
- 11:30 am to 1:30 pm – LNY Rocking Horse Pop-Up Photo Op (at Å¡xʷƛ̓ənÉ™q Xwtl’e7énḵ Square, weather permitting)
Visit lunarfestvancouver.ca for the full festival program.
Friday, February 20th, 2026
- 11:30 am to 1:30 pm – LNY Rocking Horse Pop-Up Photo Op (at Å¡xʷƛ̓ənÉ™q Xwtl’e7énḵ Square, weather permitting)
Saturday, February 21st, 2026
- 11:00 am to 4:00 pm – Lunar Trivia, Lunar Workshops, Lunar Eats: Tatchan Noodles (at the Ocean Artworks Pavilion)
- 11:30 am to 1:30 pm – LNY Rocking Horse Pop-Up Photo Op (at Å¡xʷƛ̓ənÉ™q Xwtl’e7énḵ Square, weather permitting)
Sunday, February 22nd, 2026
- 11:00 am to 4:00 pm – Lunar Trivia, Lunar Workshops, Lunar Eats: Tatchan Noodles (at the Ocean Artworks Pavilion)
- 11:30 am to 1:30 pm – LNY Rocking Horse Pop-Up Photo Op (at Å¡xʷƛ̓ənÉ™q Xwtl’e7énḵ Square, weather permitting)
Visit lunarfestvancouver.ca for the full festival program.
Monday, February 23rd, 2026
- 11:30 am to 1:30 pm – LNY Rocking Horse Pop-Up Photo Op (at Å¡xʷƛ̓ənÉ™q Xwtl’e7énḵ Square, weather permitting)
Tuesday, February 24th, 2026
- 11:30 am to 1:30 pm – LNY Rocking Horse Pop-Up Photo Op (at Å¡xʷƛ̓ənÉ™q Xwtl’e7énḵ Square, weather permitting)
Friday, February 27th, 2026
- 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm – Ticketed Performance: Old Songs, New Year (at Performance Works)
Saturday, February 28th, 2026
- 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm – Ticketed Performance: Year of Wild Horse A C-Pop Drag Extravaganza (at Performance Works)
Visit lunarfestvancouver.ca for the full festival program.
LunarFest Concert
The featured LunarFest Concert in 2026 takes place on Tuesday, February 24th. It’s held at the Orpheum Theatre.
This year, tickets are on a pay-what-you-can scale. The show’s lineup includes Fooderlon Theater, Kristin Fung, and Harmonia & WVYB Strings.
Visit the LunarFest Vancouver website for full details about the concert.
LNY Splash
LNY Splash is related to both LunarFest and The Lantern City. This third series of events includes a number of film screenings on three days. The main venue is the VIFF Centre in downtown Vancouver, but there’s also a screening at the Vancouver Public Library.
LYN Splash Films
The LNY Splash film lineup for 2026 is below.
Tuesday, February 10th, 2026 (at VPL)
- 2:30 pm – After Spring, the Tamaki Family… (Taiwan, Japan)
Sunday, February 15th, 2026 (at VIFF Centre)
- 7:30 pm – Girl (Taiwan)
Monday, February 16th, 2026 (at VIFF Centre)
- 3:15 pm – Renoir (Japan, France)
- 5:45 pm – A Good Child (Singapore)
- 8:00 pm – Family Matters (Taiwan)
Visit the LNY Splash website for more information about the films.
Other Information
Visit the official LunarFest Vancouver website for more information about the LunarFest event. Visit The Lantern City website for more information about just the lantern displays.
See our article about Lunar New Year Celebrations to learn about similar events celebrating the same occasion.
Other articles that might be of interest include the following:
- The Lantern City
- Historical Chinatown Walking Tours
- Vancouver Festivals and Events
- Shows and Entertainment Calendar
- January and February Calendars of Events
- TaiwanFest in September
