Lunar New Year: The Insider’s Guide

Ready for the Year of the Horse? Richmond is once again leading the pack as the home of Metro Vancouver’s best Lunar New Year celebrations. And with a full menu of activities to explore around the city, you’ll find plenty of ways to experience one of the region’s biggest and most colourful cultural extravaganzas.

This year’s big day is February 17. But there are plenty of festivities taking place in Richmond before or after that date––including lots of fun, free and family-friendly options. Ready to plan your celebrations? Read on for our exclusive insider’s guide to this year’s local Lunar New Year activities.

What’s it All About?

Also referred to as Chinese New Year, lunar celebrations take place throughout Asia––including Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and beyond. Family is a huge part of the festivities, with relatives typically gathering to mark the happy occasion with sumptuous feasts.

In Chinese astrology, the horse traditionally symbolizes strength and freedom. And this time around, it’s partnered with the fire element, creating a rare fire horse year that signifies additional intensity, energy and dynamism. This is a year for action and opportunity.

If you were born in a horse year (for example 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990 or 2002), you may be regarded as brave, talented and independent––as well as courageous and full of life. Famous “horse people” include Jackie Chan, Gordon Ramsay and Paul McCartney.

During the Lunar New Year period in Richmond, you’ll spot sparkling red and gold decorations, especially at malls, temples, restaurants and stores. You can also see lion and dragon dances plus other cultural performances. Markets are also popular and they’ll be selling special festive items with symbolic meanings.

Aberdeen Centre

A magnet for Lunar New Year fans, Aberdeen’s Flower & Gift Fair runs from February 6 to February 17. Vendors will be selling treats, decorations and toys plus festive plants and flowers (the fresh plants and flowers will be available from February 11). Additional activities include special LEGO displays (February 13 to 17) and a Coca Cola-sponsored wishing tree (February 14 and 15).

On February 16, the mall will open late for its big Year of the Horse party––complete with a stage show (from 8:30pm), a visit from the God of Fortune (10:30pm) and a live televised countdown that concludes just after midnight.

Return the next day for an 11:00am lion and dragon dance in the mall’s Outdoor Courtyard. And on the afternoons of February 21, 22 and 28, the indoor Central Atrium will also host additional cultural performances––from dance troupes to live music (including the Vancouver Youth Philharmonic Orchestra).

Lansdowne Centre

Another Lunar New Year hotspot, Lansdowne will be staging its main festivities on February 21 (noon to 5:00pm)––complete with an opening ceremony and a special dragon and lion dance performed by the celebrated Hon Hsing Athletic Club.

But that’s not all. Throughout the afternoon, there will also be interactive games, an artisan market and additional lion dances throughout the mall. While you’re enjoying the fun, keep in mind that Lansdowne was actually built on the site of a horseracing track that operated here until the 1950s!

CF Richmond Centre

The city’s CF Richmond Centre is also celebrating the Year of the Horse. On February 21 (2:00pm to 3:00pm), visitors can enjoy a lion and dragon dance, eye-dotting ceremony, a “grabbing green” merchant tour and an appearance by the God of Fortune––who will also distribute red envelopes to shoppers.

And from February 17 to March 3, the mall will also be hosting additional interactive cultural experiences, including a calligraphy wall where you can have your family name or zodiac character created by a calligrapher. Additional activities will include lantern-making workshops and digital red envelopes offering special retailer promotions.

And There’s More!

Across the city, River Rock Casino Resort is also hosting a free-entry Blessing Ceremony and Lion Dance in its large lobby area. Starting at 3:30pm on February 17, energetic dancers from the Kin Fung Athletic Group will sashay and weave in front of the crowds and around the property in a highly photogenic display.

And don’t miss the brilliant one-day-only musical extravaganza at Richmond’s Gateway Theatre on February 28 (2:00pm). Silk Road Music: Lunar New Year Celebration will feature a fascinating fusion of Chinese folk, jazz, blues and more. This delightful matinee concert sold out last year, so be sure to book ahead via the theatre’s dedicated page.

Anything Special for Families?

Looking for additional kid-friendly options? Head to Steveston. On February 14, 15 and 16 (11:00am to 4:00pm), the free-entry Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site hosts a Lunar New Year activity as part of its Family Day celebrations. Bring your kids to the Chinese Bunkhouse to learn about zodiac signs, play some games and make a unique decoration to take home.

Joining the festive fun, you’ll also find a themed Family Day scavenger hunt over at Steveston Tram from February 13 to 16 (10:00am to 4:00pm). Your kids will love searching for all the Lunar New Year zodiac animals around the pavilion here––as well as climbing aboard the bright-red, century-old tramcar.

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site will also be hosting Lunar New Year activities on February 15 (1:30pm to 4:00pm). Kids can make their own Chinese lucky knot keychain, then watch a performance by the Vancouver Chinese Lion Dance Association (3:30pm). Note: the lion dance is free to watch outside the Cannery, while the knot workshop is included with regular admission (adults $14.75, seniors $12.50 and children aged 17 and under free).

Time for Temples

Several Richmond temples and spiritual sites will also be ushering in the New Year. Ling Yen Mountain Temple––located on No. 5 Road (aka the Highway to Heaven)––is hosting its traditional Ringing the Bell event on February 16 and 17, During this blessing ceremony, a giant bell will resonate, encouraging wisdom and spiritual reflection for the time ahead.

The ever-welcoming Bodhi Meditation Centre will also be hosting an admission-free Lunar New Year Lantern Festival from February 20 to 22 (10:00am to 9:00pm). The festivities will include glowing lantern displays plus the chance to draw your own oracle and receive blessings for good luck––don’t miss the towering Medicine Buddha installation here as well.

Festival Dining

Families traditionally feast together for Lunar New Year. And with such an extensive and authentic Asian dining scene, Richmond’s restaurants are often at their busiest during this festive period. Throughout the city, you’ll find special dishes filled with symbolic meaning­­––including dumplings, which are often said to be shaped like ancient Chinese money.

To celebrate the Year of the Horse, why not gather your friends and family and explore Richmond’s self-guided Dumpling Trail? The trail features 16 local restaurants, each offering a unique and authentic dumpling experience. From the silky har gow shrimp variety at the Jade Seafood Restaurant to the crispy wu gok at Empire Seafood Restaurant, there’s a huge array of dumplings to satisfy every palate––especially if you have an appetite like a horse!

Last Updated on January 26, 2026 by Tourism Richmond