5 Ways to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Vancouver

Here are a few of our favourite ways to celebrate the Chinese or Lunar New Year with your family in Vancouver.

A family favourite since 2009, this popular outdoor festival has been moved to a new location this year due to renovations at the Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza. The celebration this year comprises two parts: the festival at Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza (January 27 to 29) and an art exhibition at Oakridge Centre (January 18 to February 6). Among the events at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre: rooster winter games, a song-writing workshop led by Juno nominees Ginalina and Michel Bruyer, musical performances by Lan Tung and Volodymyr Bedzvin, and Lunar crafts (lanterns and origami). Find out more about LunarFest here.

The Chinese Benevolent Association has produced the annual Chinese New Year parade. This year's 44th parade is Sunday, January 29 and starts at the Millennium Gate on Pender Street at 11 am. With over 3000 performers, the parade will run over two and a half hours. Parking will be a challenge, so we recommend using public transit. Find out more about the Chinese New Year Parade here.

FlyOver Canada has always been a favourite of ours, so we'll definitely be checking out their new Flight of the Dragon show (on until Feb. 26). Find out more about FlyOver Canada here.

The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden's annual Temple Fair takes place on January 29 from 10 am-4 pm. Come enjoy arts, crafts, tai chi demonstrations, traditional music, and a lion dance. While you're there, be sure to check out the Garden's interactive full exhibition, 'Coming Home: Traditions of Chinese New Year', which celebrates the stories and symbols of Chinese New Year. Find out more about the Year of the Rooster Temple Fair here.

The party at the Aberdeen Centre is quickly becoming one of the biggest and most-watched New Year celebrations in Canada. The fun starts on Friday, January 27 and continues all the next day. Note that this is a big event, so if your littles don't do well with crowds you'd be best to catch this event on TV. Find out more about Aberdeen Centre's Chinese New Year Celebration here.