Chinese New Year is just behind the corner and Vancouver is getting ready for the festivities! The Year of the Pig begins on Tuesday, February 5th and the festivities will climax with the 46th annual Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown on February 10th. Busy streets packed with Vancouverites, people in costumes, marching bands, the sound of firecrackers and Chinese lion dancing is all part of this exciting celebration. Make sure you don’t miss this spectacular event! Read on and find out how to celebrate Chinese New Year in Vancouver 2019 and pick your favourite event.
Chinese New Year Parade, probably the biggest event, takes place in Vancouver’s Chinatown on Sunday, February 10. The parade goes up Pender Street, turns at Gore Street and then returns along Keefer. Get there early as the Chinese New Year Parade lures in thousands of people. Enjoy the amazing vibe of this event that makes you feel like you’re right in the heart of Beijing!
Chinese New Year at International Village – this downtown mall at 88 West Pender Street gets lively with thousands of people wandering around, shopping and enjoying the music and entertainment. Food court won’t disappoint you if you’re looking for a cheap yet convenient place to eat.
The Year of the Pig Temple Fair is a one-day festival celebrating the Chinese New Year at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Enjoy live music, dance performances, Chinese food, a lion dance and family-friendly activities. Admission is by donation.
Even FlyOver Canada at Canada Place celebrates Chinese New Year by showing a special flight edition Come Soar Over China. This flight ride let you experience “Flight of the Dragon” from January 24th until February 24th in 2019.
Family-friendly event Vancouver Lunarfest offers free activities suitable for very young children and other family members. The festival will take place in the plaza outside the Vancouver Art Gallery on the weekend after Chinese New Year. Oakridge Centre has a small display of 800 lanterns to celebrate the holiday and a Chinese New Year Lion Dance. Don't forget to check out the traditional Lion Dance at Granville Island which take place in the Public Market and around Granville Island. Lunar New Year at Wesbrook Village offers free Chinese New Year celebrations at UBC at Wesbrook Mall and visitors can enjoy a Lion Dance blessing procession in the streets, around the village and various free activities.
If you have any other suggestions on how to celebrate Chinese New Year in Vancouver 2019, share your tips with us! Comment below, let us know on our Facebook page or post your pictures on Instagram and use the tag #mydaysinnvan.
