A guide to celebrating Chinese New Year in Vancouver

by Megan Jones

Beginning on Friday, January 27, free events, decorations, colourful parades and more celebrations will take over the Lower Mainland in honour of Chinese New Year. The most important tradition in Chinese culture, Chinese New Year (also known as Spring Festival) begins the evening prior to the first day in the Chinese lunisolar calendar year, and often culminates 15 days later with a Lantern Festival: an evening when families visit temples and public spaces with paper lanterns, and solve perplexing riddles.

2017 ushers in the Year of the Rooster – one of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac. The Rooster is associated with the colours gold, brown, orange and yellow, and the flowers gladiola, impatiens and cockscomb. In Vancouver, there are plenty of ways to welcome this golden Rooster to our city, from treasure hunts at Oakridge Mall to performances in Queen Elizabeth Plaza. Read on for our guide to celebrating Chinese New Year in Vancouver. [Photo credit: Tourism Vancouver/Coast Mountain Photography]

There are many, many cultural events taking place in Vancouver during Chinese New Year, and most are free or highly affordable. Here’s a roundup of the big celebrations happening in 2017:

•  Lunar Fest (January 28 to February 6): This annual festival celebrates the best in Asian arts and culture with free art shows, performances, workshops and more. Highlights for 2017 include a prestigious art exhibit at Oakridge Mall – with contemporary pieces by local and international artists inspired by, you guessed it, roosters – and performances in Queen Elizabeth Plaza. Performers include the talented Tung & Bedzvin classical duo, the feathered Chinese-stilt-wearing Bird Walkers and Yours Truly, a powerful K-Pop dance troupe based in Vancouver.
•  44th Annual Chinatown Parade (January 29): This highly anticipated annual parade winds through Chinatown starting at 11:00 am on the first Sunday of the New Year. The colourful procession will feature traditional lion dances, cultural dance troupes, marching bands, martial arts performances and much more. With more than 100,000 spectators each year, you’ll want to arrive early to reserve your spot on the sidelines.
• Coming Home: Chinese Culture Exhibition (January 17 to February 24): Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden’s first full exhibition will present interactive outdoor and indoor displays that connect viewers with ancient practices and traditions. This is bound to be both a gorgeous and educational event.
• Fly Over China at Canada Place (January 12 to February 27): Never been to China? Buckle your seat belts and head to Canada Place for Flyover Canada’s Flight of the Dragon experience, a virtual reality ride over China’s greatest landmarks. And the best part? During Chinese New Year, you can “fly” over China and Canada for the price of a single admission.

Malls and shopping districts across Vancouver will welcome the Year of the Rooster by offering special events, sales and performances, as well as decorating storefront windows top to bottom. So grab your friends, and shop ’til you drop at these local retail hubs:

• International Village: This usually quiet downtown Vancouver shopping centre transforms into a flurry of activity during Chinese New Year, with performances, music, art and plenty of excited shoppers. Highlights from previous years included a grand stage on the first floor and vibrant window displays, with each one different from the next. Check the mall’s website for updates on events for 2017.
• Oakridge Centre: Look out for mischievous, hidden roosters in this upscale mall during Chinese New Year. Hosted by Lunar Fest, the official Quest for the Golden Roosters involves snapping a photo of the rooster and sharing it on social media with a special hashtag. The top scoring contestant wins a two-night stay at the luxurious Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel – happy hunting!
• Chinatown: Vancouver locals and visitors adore Chinatown’s stunning archway and many shops, markets, bakeries and restaurants. This historic neighbourhood is certainly a must-see during Chinese New Year; the neighbourhood will be festive and bustling from January 27 well into February. In addition to witnessing beautiful decorations and cultural events, you may even score a deal on your favourite Chinese snack. Pork buns, anyone?

Chinese New Year is an excellent time to give back to Vancouver’s multicultural communities, which bring such joyous and diverse celebrations of history and culture to our city. Consider opting out of that latte or extra dish at dinner and support a local organization instead.

• The Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver: This decades-old non-profit is committed to preserving and promoting Chinese culture and developing compassion and friendship between Chinese Canadians and the wider community. A donation to this invaluable organization will help to build vibrant, healthy communities across Greater Vancouver.
• Immigrant Services Society of BC: This province-wide society helps immigrants build a better future in British Columbia. Donations help create life-changing opportunities for vulnerable immigrant and refugee children, youth and families, among other things.
• Pacific Immigrant Resources Society: Located in East Vancouver, this community-based, non-profit organization has served immigrant and refugee women and their young children since 1975. In keeping with the Chinese New Year’s spirit of togetherness, consider taking some time to volunteer here – assist children with learning, spearhead special projects, or help out in the office – and you may find that this meaningful, rewarding role extends far beyond February.

Last but certainly not least: there’s no better time to enjoy a beautiful Chinese meal in Vancouver than during Chinese New Year. And in a city with a large population of Chinese Canadians, there are boundless options to choose from. Top picks include:

• Bao Bei Chinese Brasserie, which has offered spectacular prix fixe meals of Chinese and French inspired cuisine during past celebrations.
• Dynasty Seafood Restaurant – an ideal spot for dim sum feasts after the Chinese New Year parade on Sunday, January 29.
• Downtown’s classy Kirin Mandarin Restaurant typically offers a special gourmet menu during the celebrations.

There are, of course, many restaurants that might not offer special menus but are worth visiting for the food alone. These include Peaceful Restaurant, with locations in Kits and East Vancouver; the festive and charming Lucky Noodle on Kingsway; and a quintessential hole-in-the-wall, Wang’s Shanghai Cuisine, where authentic, broth-stuffed dumplings are made right before your eyes.

With dozens upon dozens of options to choose from, Vancouver is a perfect location for ringing in Chinese New Year and exploring and supporting Chinese Canadian culture. Welcome the Year of the Rooster and enjoy a fun, meaningful and festive experience.