The 4th Annual Light Up Chinatown festival illuminates the historic neighbourhood August 24-25, 2024.
Produced by the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, the free two-day festival celebrates the long history and culture of the 16 blocks of Vancouver’s Chinatown.
From the entertainment hub at 600-block of Columbia Street, Light Up Chinatown! welcomes all of the community for a free celebration weekend featuring live entertainment, lights, lanterns, colourful decorations, dragons and dancing. The main stage located at Keefer and Columbia Streets features live music and exciting performances by Circus West, Kristina Lao, Son of James, Krystle Dos Santos, Dane Sung, Kristin Fung, DJ May Q, Colour of Dance Academy, Now or Never Crew and more.
The Kids Zone offers plenty of fun free activities like face painting, lantern crafts, lion dance and kung fu workshops, and Arcade on Wheels.
Beyond the entertainment zone, visitors are enticed to explore Chinatown’s shops and restaurants with the Chinatown Passport – collect 8 stamps from participating vendors for the chance to win prizes. Not sure where to start, take a special walking tour with Bob Sung from A Wok Around Chinatown as he guides you on a 40-minute tour of the community learning its cultural significance and history and finding its hidden gem, including special tastings at New Town Bakery & Restaurant and Chinatown BBQ for just $30 per person. ?
Special food collaborations find Chinatown eateries bringing flavours of the city into the neighbourhood with items including: The Boss Bakery X DD Mau’s Yin Yang Egg Custard Tea, Tall Shadow Bakery X Treasure Green Tea’s Jasmin & Peach Galette, Beaucoup Bakery X Chinatown BBQ’s Peking Duck Croissant, Kam Wai Dim Sum X Memphis Blues BBQ’s Yellow Curry Brisket Bao, Mello X Salt’s Red Wine Jelly Donut or Foo Hung Curios X Hype Chocolate’s Chocolate Haw Flakes Ice Cream Swirl.
New for the 2024 Light Up Chinatown! is Hawkers Lane features 10 of Vancouver’s renowned chefs who have crafted exclusive street food dishes, from Tuna Tartare to Fried Chicken Skewers and BBQ Rib Sandwiches to Ice Cream Sandwiches. Set menus of 5 items for $50 are available in limited quantities for pre-order online or single items will be available on-site.
Whatever tickles your fancy can be found when you visit Light Up Chinatown! August 24-25, 2024 or throughout the neighbourhood any time of year.