Vancouver Chinatown Festival returns July 15-16

by Mike Usinger on June 22nd, 2023 at 10:41 AM

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A giant mahjong game, lion dancing, and the debut of an artisans market are just some of the highlights of the just-announced 21st edition of the Vancouver Chinatown Festival.

An initiative of the Vancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Society (VCBIA), this year’s celebration takes place July 15-16 in the area around Keefer and Columbia streets. All events are free and family-oriented.

Attendees can also expect live entertainment, a kids corner with a Vancouver Aquarium display, Chinatown Walking Tours hosted by A Wok Around’s Bob Sung, and appearances by Vancouver Chinatown Market mascot VanVan.

The new artisan market will feature a mix of arts and crafts vendors as well as food stalls, with participants including Ember Honk Kong Barbecue, Wisconsin Ginseng Co., Holy Duck Chili, and Doodles by Naomi Studios Inc. Among the food trucks participating are Chickpea, Tokyo Katsu-sand, Hugs Mini Donuts, and Say Hello Sweets.

To raise awareness of Vancouver Chinatown Festival, the VCBIA is bringing back its “Where’s VanVan the panda” contest on Instagram, where you can share photos of where VanVan has been to win prizes.