Chinese New Year has always been one of my favourite holidays because my family goes pretty hard with the celebrations. There’s always the night before where my grandma cooks way too much delicious food for our poor stomachs to handle. On Chinese New Year day, we wear our newest and brightest clothes and go out for a dim sum lunch at overcrowded and bumbling restaurants.
Although it’s definitely a food-heavy weekend, we also try to visit the local events in town. You definitely can’t miss the traditional lion dances, as they bring you good luck and prosperity to start off this new year. Here are a couple events that you definitely can’t miss out.
Chinatown Parade
This is one of the most traditional and popular Chinese New Year events in Vancouver. It will take place on January 29, 2017, from 11 am until 1:30 pm, starting from Pender Street to Keefer Street. The crowds might get a little frustrating and crazy, so make sure you leave your house early by taking transit to avoid fighting for parking spots with angry drivers. There is nothing like this experience, being in such a lively cultural atmosphere, and you don’t even have to fly all the way to China for a similar experience.
International Village Festivities
The International Village is hosting a “Celebration of Chinese new Year of the Rooster” event during this Chinese New Year weekend (January 26-29). There will be many vendor booths, similar to the ones at the night market, which will showcase many festive goods and gifts. There will also be multicultural performances on a stage, lucky draws for prizes, and the infamous lion dance to ring in the new year. Make sure to check out the food court for very cheap but convenient cultural eats.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Dr. Sun Yat- Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver’s Chinatown will be hosting a special one-day festival to celebrate the Chinese New Year. It is a temple fair that will include live performances, special Chinese food for sale, Tai Chi performances, the traditional lion dance, and many more activities.
Have Dim Sum
There are many Chinese restaurants that excel at their dim sum artistry, especially in a city like Vancouver. It is one of the most important parts of the Chinese tradition. We try to switch up the restaurants every now and then, to continuously try new restaurants and new dim sum dishes. Some of my favourites are Kirin, Dynasty Seafood Restaurant, Sea Harbour Seafood Restaurant, and Golden Lake Seafood Restaurant.
I hope you’ll have a Happy Chinese New Year and this year brings you lots of prosperity, fortune, happiness, and love. If you’re lucky enough, maybe you’ll score a couple of red pockets this weekend to help with the foodie life expenses?