Get the best of Vancouver in your inbox, every Tuesday and Thursday. Sign up for our free newsletter.

As far as the lunar zodiac is concerned, the Year of the Dragon is luckiest of all. If star systems are your thing, you’ll know to expect good fortune and greatness for the better part of 2024. 

February 10 ushers in the auspicious celebration, with no shortage of events (and special menus) to kick it off in Vancouver.

Here are a few events on our radar this year.

Lunar New Year with the Chinese Canadian Museum

January 24 to February 11 (special event: February 10 and 11)

The Chinese Canadian Museum’s first Lunar New Year event takes place from January 24 to February 11. Visitors receive a fortune cookie with paid admission (and a chance to win a golden ticket inside). The culminating special event takes place February 10 and 11, with free tastings of Lunar New Year treats, and printmaking and calligraphy sessions. 

Chinese Canadian Museum, 51 East Pender Street, Vancouver

Lunar New Year Puppet Show at the VPL

February 2, 3:30pm

The Vancouver Public Library’s Terry Salman Branch is putting on a festive Lunar New Year Puppet Show for families. Stories and crafts are available for kids three and up, helping families bring the Year of the Dragon to life in an interactive way.

VPL Terry Salman Branch, 4575 Clancy Loranger Way, Vancouver

Lunar (Chinese) New Year and Karaoke at Roundhouse Community Centre

February 9, 12pm

Food, dancing, and karaoke? Not just for the evening crowd. This afternoon fete provides lunch, drinks, dancing, and the opportunity to sing your heart out in celebration of the Lunar New Year. This adults-only activity is an opportunity to connect with your inner child as you ring in the Year of the Dragon.

Roundhouse Community Centre Exhibition Hall, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver

Lunar New Year Market at UBC Botanical Garden

February 3 and 4, 10am to 4pm

A farmer’s market like you’ve never seen before. UBC Botanical Garden’s Lunar New Year market celebrates the Year of the Dragon with over 30 local makers, artists, crafters, and food trucks. The expanded market offers fresh flowers, dried floral arrangements, and potted plants for sale—plus, a thrilling lion dance and kung fu performance by UBC Kung Fu Club. You can even join in on calligraphy and sweet dumpling-making workshops.

UBC Botanical Garden, 6804 Southwest Marine Drive, Vancouver

Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival and Parade

February 11, starting at 11am

Perhaps the city’s biggest, most boisterous annual parade starts at the Chinatown Millenium Gate. Now in its 50th iteration, the Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival brings the masses to watch and participate in the family-friendly parade that beckons in the Lunar New Year. The procession sees traditional lion dancers, marching bands, martial artists, and more perform, leading watchers to continue the party at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden Lunar New Year celebration.

Chinatown Millenium Gate, 26 West Pender Street, Vancouver

Lunar New Year Celebration: Year of the Dragon at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

February 11, 12pm

The crux of all annual Lunar New Year events takes place at Chinatown’s Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. This year, catch live dragon dances and the Tai Chi fan dance, as well as calligraphy and tea ceremonies. For those looking toward an auspicious year ahead, fortune telling and I-Ching readings are available—and for those who are just a little hungry, street food is on order, too.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, 578 Carrall Street, Vancouver

Hong Kongers’ Lunar Pop-up Fun at Roundhouse Community Centre

February 4, 12pm

For a truly interactive experience, join in at the Hong Kongers’ Lunar Pop-up Fun. Hosted by HK House and Vancouver Kaifong Association, this celebration brings interactive booths and activities, including games, crafts, and trivia. Here, you can create your own Lunar New Year greeting hangers at the Fai Chun-making sessions, listen to storytelling in Cantonese, and enjoy snapping pics for the ‘gram in the Lunar New Year photo areas.

Roundhouse Community Centre Exhibition Hall, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver 

Taste of Chinatown! Festival

February 9 to 11, 11am to 4pm

What better way to enjoy the beginning of a new lunar year than eating your way through it? Taste of Chinatown! is a free, three-day community festival featuring food, lanterns, and photo projections through the Chinatown neighbourhood. Specialty food pop-ups include a BBQ pork poptart by Chinatown BBQ and Tall Shadow Bakery, a “Jin Dui” housemade sesame and red bean paste by Boba Run, and a beef brisket curry cheese croissant by Beaucoup Bakery and Chinatown BBQ. Is your mouth watering yet?

Various locations across Chinatown

Shangri-La Vancouver X Fête Chinoise Lunar New Year Signature Event

February 17

Celebrate the Lunar New Year in style with the Fête Chinoise Lunar New Year gala at the Shangri-La Vancouver. Decadence is on display at this event, which is a collaboration with Hong Kong-headquartered airline Cathay Pacific, Johnnie Walker whisky, and Phantom Creek wines. Live musical performances by Chinese-Canadian singer/actress Linda Chung, singer Tyler Shaw, and the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra (led by maestro Ken Hseih) are highlighted amid fusion eats, cocktail tastings, and an immersive atmosphere designed by Ontario-based design firm, PALETTERA.

Shangri-La Vancouver, 1128 West Georgia Street, Vancouver