Enjoy a variety of festivities both before and after this special date.

From lively parades to vibrant cultural performances, there’s no shortage of festivities to welcome the Lunar New Year. Indulge in traditional foods, marvel at colorful decorations, and take part in activities that bring good luck and joy.

Lunar New Year Celebrations 2025

Chinatown Spring Festival Parade (Feb 2)

The biggest celebration in Metro Vancouver is bound to be  Vancouver’s 51st Chinatown Spring Festival Celebration and parade taking place on Sunday, February 2.

Anticipated to draw a crowd of 100,000 spectators, the highlight of the event is a grand 1.3 km parade. It will feature an impressive array of cultural groups, dance troupes, and lion dance teams.

When & Where: February 2, 11 am – 4pm starting at the Millennium Gate on Pender Street in Vancouver
Cost: Free

Lunar New Year Market at UBC Botanical Garden (Jan 25-26)

UBC Botanical Garden’s Lunar New Year Market this weekend features local artisans, food trucks, live entertainment, lion dances, a kung fu show, workshops, and a photo booth.

When & Where: January 25 & 26 from 10 am – 4 pm at the UBC Botanical Garden – 6804 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver
Cost: $8.88

Lunar New Year at Metropolis at Metrotown (Jan 13 – Feb 16)

Metropolis at Metrotown is thrilled to celebrate the Year of the Snake with a mix of traditional and modern Lunar New Year activities.

Highlights include the first-ever Chef Series, featuring some of BC’s top chefs, including the latest Top Chef Canada winner, a Lion Dance workshop open to all ages, and an engaging partnership with the Chinese Canadian Museum.

When & Where: From January 13 to February 16 at Metropolis at Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby
Cost: Free

Taste of Chinatown (Jan 9 – Feb 2)

Celebrate Lunar New Year in Vancouver’s historic Chinatown. Taste of Chinatown! returns with a month-long celebration for the Year of the Snake. Enjoy exciting food pop-ups, special tastings, mural coloring, and more!

The festivities end on February 2nd with the 51st Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Celebration & Parade, featuring family-friendly fun and live entertainment.

When & Where: January 9 – February 2, 2025 with activities taking place all around the 16-blocks of Vancouver’s Chinatown
Cost: Varies

LNY at Lansdowne Centre (Feb 1)

Lansdowne Centre is marking the Lunar New Year with festivities that bring together multicultural communities. The opening ceremony will take place from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm, with festivities continuing until 5:00 pm.

To celebrate the Year of the Snake in a unique way, they are introducing a life-sized Snakes and Ladders board game for the public to enjoy. This giant game offers a fresh take on Lunar New Year celebrations, promoting family bonding, teamwork, and fun. Participants will become part of the action, immersing themselves in the game while inviting good luck into their lives.

When & Where: Lansdowne Centre from 12 -5 pm, 5300 Number 3 Rd, Richmond
Cost: Free

Lunar New Year Fest at the Museum of Surrey (Feb 8)

In partnership with the Chinese Village Club, this free event provides a wonderful chance to explore Lunar New Year traditions and celebrate Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures.

Guests can enjoy a variety of activities, including live performances, dragon dance lessons, poetry readings, traditional and modern dance, tai chi demonstrations, and storytelling.

When & Where: February 8 from 1-4pm at the Museum of Surrey, 17710 56A Avenue, Surrey
Cost: Free

Lunar New Year Festivities at the Chinese Canadian Museum (Feb 1)

Celebrate with a weekend of Lunar New Year festivities at the museum on February 1st and 2nd, featuring free treat sampling, themed crafts, and Chinese board games. Highlights include Cantonese storytime on Saturday and artisanal ice cream and balloon art on Sunday after the Chinatown Parade!

When & Where: February 1-2 from 10am – 5pm at the Chinese Canadian Museum
Cost: $10-$15

Lantern City (Jan 27 – Feb 17)

Vancouver’s Lantern City is making its much-anticipated return, lighting up the city with vibrant, larger-than-life lantern displays.

This annual celebration showcases stunning artworks that reflect diverse cultural stories and traditions. To celebrate the Year of the Snake, it will highlight the snake’s adaptable form, which enables it to move fluidly or coil into an ouroboros—a powerful symbol of life, death, and renewal. With their calm and perceptive nature, snakes remind us to seek balance amidst constant change.

When & Where:

• Pendulum Gallery: Jan 27 – Feb 22
• Bentall Centre: Jan 29 – Feb 20
• 800 Robson Plaza: Jan 29 – Feb 18
• Granville Island: Jan 29 – Feb 17
• šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énk Square: Jan 29 – Feb 18

Cost: Free

Source: 604NOW