Celebrate Lunar New Year 2025 in Vancouver with a vibrant lineup of festivals and cultural events that bring the city to life! From traditional lion dances in Chinatown to family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone to welcome the Year of the Snake. Discover the best Lunar New Year activities in Vancouver to ring in the new year with prosperity and joy!
1. ‘Year of the Snake’ Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea Experience at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Ring in the Year of the Snake with a one-of-a-kind Lunar New Year afternoon tea experience at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s Notch8 Restaurant. Running from January 9 to February 23, 2025. This limited-time event offers a festive spread of savoury and sweet treats. Highlights include roasted duck tart, shrimp toast and a five-spice chocolate cake. Additionally, guests can indulge in an exclusive tea blend created in partnership with the Chinatown Storytelling Centre and TEALEAVES. Guests are invited to visit the Chinatown Storytelling Centre to learn more about the rich history of Vancouver’s Chinatown. As part of the celebration, Nicole Larsen of Ripple & Rise has designed a custom Year of the Snake illustration. This design symbolizes good fortune, prosperity, and happiness for the year ahead.
On January 29, the hotel will host a vibrant Lion Dance performance by the Hon Hsing Athletic Club, bringing energy and excitement throughout the lobby and Notch8. As an added bonus, eight lucky guests will receive Lucky Gifts, including a ‘Day in Chinatown’ gift set and dining vouchers.
Menu highlights include: Shrimp Toast with sesame, soy aioli and green onion, Roasted Duck Tart with hoisin and apricot duck sauce and Jammy Tea Egg with chili crunch and crispy noodle. In addition sweets include a Lychee Almond Tart with chantilly cream and gold flakes, Brulee Egg Tart with caramelized sugar and a Walnut Cookie with milk chocolate pearls. View the full menu here.
Seatings are available Fridays and Thursdays at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. Weekends at 11:00 am, 1pm and 3pm. Each seating is 90-minutes. The tea is $72 per adult and $40 per child (12 and under). Reservations are highly recommended.
2. Year of the Snake at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Step into the vibrant traditions of Lunar New Year at Vancouver’s iconic Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden on Sunday, February 2, 2025, from 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Celebrate the Year of the Snake with a family-friendly day full of joy, unique performances, cultural demonstrations, delicious food and community spirit. The Garden will be adorned with stunning red lanterns, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity. Several activities include:
- Food Corner with delicious treats from Dicky’s Dumps Handmade Dumplings, Butter Me Up Cookie Co., and Sun Fresh Bakery.
- Arts & Crafts area for Lunar New Year themed arts and crafts
- Lucky Couplets Calligraphy – an interactive opportunity to lear how to write traditional lucky couplets
- Tea Ceremonies – immerse yourself in the elegance of Chinese tea culture
- Nian Gao Demonstrations – Lucia Zhang from Fuye Gourmet will hold demos at 12pm and 2pm on how to make this traditional sweet rice cake.
- Guzheng Performances – enjoy the enchanting melodies of this traditional Chinese instrument during live performances throughout the day.
Check out full details and agenda here.
3. Welcome the Year of the Snake with Metropolis at Metrotown
Welcome the Year of the Snake with an unforgettable lineup of Lunar New Year celebrations at Metropolis at Metrotown! Metropolis at Metrotown celebrates Lunar New Year from January 13 to February 16, 2025. Enjoy exciting new events and beloved traditions highlighting the season’s vibrant culture. Highlights of the festivities include:
- Chef Series (February 2 & 9): Top BC chefs, including Quang Dang, Katy Cheung, Chanthy Yen, and Haan Palcu-Chang, will demonstrate dishes that celebrate their heritage and the culinary traditions of Lunar New Year.
- Lion Dance (February 1): Traditional lion dancers will perform throughout the shopping centre. They will be accompanied by the God of Fortune distributing lucky red envelopes with food offers.
- Lion Dance Workshop (February 1, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm): Learn lion dance movements rooted in martial arts with Bak Mei Kung Fu and Lion Dance.
- Cultural Workshops (February 6–9, 12 pm – 4 pm): Hosted by the Chinese Canadian Museum, workshops include abacus lessons, family tree coloring, lantern cutting, and Chinese phrase practice. Additional craft-making activities, such as lantern origami and calligraphy, will be offered.
Check out full details and agenda here.
4. Taste of Chinatown
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Vancouver’s Taste of Chinatown. This month-long festival, running from January 2 to February 2, 2025. Enjoy a rich tapestry of culinary delights, cultural activities, and family-friendly fun. Event highlights include:
- Culinary Pop-Ups: Savor specialty food and drinks from local favorites like Chinatown BBQ x Beaucoup Bakery, Boba Run, Hype Chocolate, and Saan Saan Cafe.
- Chinatown Cocktail Showdown (January 31, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm): Witness eight of Chinatown’s finest bars and restaurants compete to craft the best Lunar New Year-inspired cocktail.
- Family Saturdays: Craft Lunar New Year Decorations with Red Envelopes (January 18, 11 am – 1 pm): Engage in a festive workshop to create vibrant decorations symbolizing prosperity and good fortune.
- Mural Coloring by Serena Chu (February 1 & 2, 11 am – 4 pm): Join local artist Serena Chu in coloring a life-size mural of Chinatown, bringing art and community together.
- Chocolate & Wine Tastings (February 1, 1 pm until supplies last): Indulge in Hype Chocolate’s new Dark Chocolate Holy Duck Chili Oil Bar paired with Haywire Winery’s special Lunar Red Wine (ages 19+).
- 51st Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Celebration & Parade (February 2): Conclude the festivities with a vibrant parade featuring family-friendly activities and live entertainment.
Taste of Chinatown fosters community resilience and inclusivity while preserving the cultural heritage of Vancouver’s Chinatown. For more details and a complete schedule of events, visit the official website.
5. Chinatown Spring Festival Parade
Chinatown’s beloved Spring Festival Parade is back for its 51st year in 2025! Celebrate the Year of the Wood Snake on February 2 with a vibrant parade and festive atmosphere in Chinatown. Make a day of it by exploring all the cultural treasures and delicious food that Chinatown has to offer.
The parade kicks off at 11:00 AM on West Pender Street, right in front of the iconic Millennium Gate. It will proceed east to Gore Avenue, head south, then turn west onto Keefer Street before concluding at Carrall Street.
After the parade, enjoy traditional lion dances at local businesses, a ritual for good fortune in the new year. Be sure to catch the energetic displays by various athletic clubs performing lion dances throughout the neighborhood streets!
