The Chinese community, the cities of Richmond and Vancouver, the business community and the various cultural organizations and sponsors come together to put on a series of magnificent celebrations and events to welcome the Lunar New Year in spectacular fashion.
There is a fabulous Spring Festival Parade through the streets of Chinatown, lively street fairs and markets and dazzling cultural performances throughout the city where restaurants, shopping centers, cultural venues and libraries join in the celebrations.
The dragons and lions stretch well beyond Chinatown to nearby Richmond and around, there are hundreds of events from flower markets, cultural performances, kung fu and acrobatics, family crafts, lantern making...
Vancouver Chinese New Year Celebration Highlights 2023
Welcoming The Year Of The Rabbit
- Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Parade - January 22, 2023
- Chinese New Year Countdown, Flower Fair and Cultural Showcase at Aberdeen Centre - TBA
- Chinese New Year Traditional Flower Bazaar at International Buddhist Temple - TBA
- Lunar New Year At International Village - January 21 - 22, 2023
There is so much going on in the area, and thankfully, this year both cities have teamed up to make it easier for all of us to find what is happening where. Check out the Vancouver / Richmond Lunar New Year Website for a complete listing of all events!
Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Parade
This is Vancouver's Chinese New Year signature event and features the largest assembly of traditional lion dance teams in Canada and of course dozens of performing troupes, acrobats, marching bands, cultural performers and parading dragons.
When: Sunday, January 22, 2023 - 11:00 am - 1:30 pm
Where: Streets of Vancouver Chinatown. The route starts at the Millennium Gate on Pender Street (between Shanghai Alley and Taylor Street), proceeds east along Pender Street, turns south onto Gore Street, turns west onto Keefer Street and then disperses on Keefer at Abbott.
How Much: FREE!
More Info and Parade Map: www.cbavancouver.org/
Year of the Tiger Celebrations at Aberdeen Centre
What?:
- Flower & Gift Fair - TBA
- Chinese New Year's Countdown - TBA at the Central Atrium from 8:30 pm, countdown at midnight
- Golden Dragon and Lion Dance - TBA at the Outdoor Courtyard at 11:00 am, store-to-store lion visits from 12:15 pm
- Chinese New Year Cultural Showcase - TBA at the Central Atrium
Where?: Aberdeen Centre at 9160 Steveston Hwy, Richmond, BC
How Much?: FREE
More Info: www.aberdeencentre.com
Chinese New Year at Buddhist International Temple
On its own worth a visit, this is a gorgeous temple modelled after Beijing's Forbidden City, and during the Chinese New Year festivities, it comes to life with a bustling and colorful traditional New Year Flower Bazaar, auspicious windmills, late-night snacks and foods and more.
A great day to visit is on New Year's Eve when people from all walks of life come to pray for good fortune and pay their respects. Traditional blessing couplets, auspicious flowers, snacks and foods will abound.
For the first two weeks of the Chinese New Year, over 10,000 people visit the temple to pray for a safe and prosperous new year. Visitors can also explore the temple's New Year Bazaar, a grand festival that offers traditional snacks and foods, flower arrangements, Chinese calligraphy demonstrations, exciting raffles, and much more.
On the eve of every Chinese New Year, the abbot leads a special group prayer and chanting ceremony held in the packed Main Gracious Hall to bless all sentient beings for the coming year.
When?: Chinese New Year Flower and Couplets Bazaar - TBA
Chinese New Year's Eve Blessing Ceremony - January 21, 2023 TBC
Offerings to Devalokas for New Year's Blessings - TBA
Where?: International Buddhist Temple at 9160 Steveston Hwy, Richmond, BC
How Much?: FREE
More Info: www.buddhisttemple.ca/
Lunar New Year at International Village
What?:
- Arts and crafts, workshops for children, CNY photo booths
- Bunny Hut with different species of 30 to 50 rabbits on site, where mall patrons and visitors can meet and greet and feed, and even consider adopting these lovely furies
- Chinese New Year Parade on New Year's Day January 22, 2023
The Spring Festival Parade starts at the Millenium Gate outside the Yokoyaya entrance of the International Village Mall on Pender Street.
Where?: International Village Mall
How Much?: FREE
More Info: www.internationalvillagemall.ca
Chinese New Year Celebrations Around The World
Let's Celebrate!
filling each day with peak of health...
abundance of happiness...
bountiful prosperity...
and Zen like serenity...
You can decorate easily with traditional or battery-operated lanterns, paper cuttings, lucky coins and banners to add a splash to the celebrations!
More Chinese New Year Traditions and Celebrations
Most Popular Excursions
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