Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year is one of the most important events for Asian families as millions make visits to their home countries, towns and family, to celebrate the Year of the Rat. New Year celebrations and traditions have worked their way around the globe thanks to the vast Asian diaspora. Locally, Vancouver and Richmond’s large Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese and other Asian communities, means these cities are filled with events to entertain those who can’t make the trip home, or are returning here to visit family. The first of the 12- year cycle of the Lunar zodiac, Year of the Rat celebrations begins January 25, 2020.
Some of the local events to celebrate the Lunar New Year Festival include:
Aberdeen Centre gets the celebrations started Friday January 24th with Countdown Night to Chinese New Year of the Rat. From 8:30pm to 12:10am the mall’s centre atrium will be a buzz of activity as Fairchild Radio broadcasts the variety stage show live with a countdown to the New Year.
Lunar Fest 2020 returns for another year with celebrations at Jack Poole Plaza, šx????n?q Xwtl’e7énk Square (Vancouver Art Gallery), Oakridge Centre, Queen Elizabeth Theatre featuring music, live entertainment, exhibits, crafts, markets, and many other event spread around the lower mainland. Events run to February 10, 2020
Fly Over Canada celebrates the Lunar New Year by inviting guests to Soar Over Taiwan.Until, February 16, 2020, Soar Over Taiwan, joins the line up at the Vancouver attraction/ride. Quests can experience the water at Green Island, flying above the famous Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival, over the shores of Sun Moon Lake, past tea farms and into the heart of Taipei City.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden ushers in the Year of the Rat with its annual Temple Fair celebration; teas, food, crafts, performances and other fun fill the day, Sunday January 26, 11am – 4pm
Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival, is always a highlight of the celebrations. Sunday January 26th, ring in the new year with the crackle of firecrackers, the bang drums and snap of dancers, as thousands of spectators and revellers line the route of the 47th Chinatown Parade from 11am, along East Pender, Gore and Keefer Streets. After the parade watch for ‘the Lions’ as they visit and perform for local Chinatown businesses to bring good fortune through the new year.