Lunar New Year: The Insider’s Guide

With the Year of the Snake about to begin, Richmond is once again at the heart of Metro Vancouver’s colourful Lunar New Year celebrations. There are some great activities to discover around the city––with lots of fun, free and family-friendringly options to consider.

This year’s big day is January 29. But there are also plenty of festivities taking place in Richmond before or after that date. Ready to dive into some local Lunar New Year celebrations? Here’s our exclusive insider’s guide!

What’s it All About?

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

In Chinese astrology, the snake––which sheds its skin in a sign of change and renewal––symbolizes wisdom, coolness and positive transformation. And if you were born in a snake year (for example 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001 or 2013), you may be regarded as cautious, smart and mysterious as well as perceptive and surprisingly passionate.

During the New Year period in Richmond, you’ll spot lots of shimmering red and gold decorations, especially at malls, temples, restaurants and stores. You’ll also find dramatic lion and dragon dances plus other cultural performances. And be sure to visit a traditional flower market, where the stalls will be selling special festive items with symbolic meanings.

Aberdeen Centre

Always a magnet for Lunar New Year fans, Aberdeen’s popular Flower & Gift Fair runs from January 23 to January 29. Its stalls will be selling treats, decorations and toys plus festive plants and flowers. On January 28, the mall will open late for its big Year of the Snake 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 at midnight.

Return the next day for the 11:00am lion and dragon dance in the mall’s Outdoor Courtyard. And on the afternoons of February 1, 2 and 9 in its indoor Central Atrium there will be additional cultural performances to enjoy––ranging from dance to music to a sparkling fashion show.

Lansdowne Centre

Another New Year hotspot, Lansdowne is staging its main festivities on February 1, complete with interactive fun, live performances and more. Uniquely, you’ll find a giant snakes and ladders board game to try here—with the chance to win Year of the Snake plush toys!

But that’s not all. Lansdowne is also hosting a noon dragon dance throughout the mall to launch its full afternoon of celebrations. That will include family-friendly arts and crafts plus a ring toss game where more prizes will be up for grabs.

CF Richmond Centre

The city’s CF Richmond Centre is also marking the Year of the Snake. Start by snapping some selfies with their vibrant, tree-style decorations, which will be on display throughout the mall until February 15. And be sure to visit on February 1 (from 2:00pm to 3:30pm) for lion dances and a God of Fortune appearance.

More Lion Dances

Alternatively, drop by IKEA Richmond on February 1 (between 11:00am and noon) and you’ll find a lion dance and eye-dotting performance at the store’s main entrance. In addition, the store is running a special kid-friendly scavenger hunt from January 10 to February 2––collect a booklet from the greeter at the entrance and start your search for Lunar New Year prizes. 

Across town, River Rock Casino Resort is hosting a free-entry Blessing Ceremony and Lion Dance in its lobby area (where you’ll also discover the brand new Gordon Ramsay Steak restaurant). Starting at 3:58pm on January 29, energetic dancers from the Kin Fung Athletic Group will sashay and weave in front of the crowds––firecrackers included!

Anything Else for Families?

Looking for more New Year activities for your kids? Consider Steveston’s two National Historic Sites. On January 26 (from 1:00pm), the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site is staging a performance by the Vancouver Chinese Lion Dance Association. And from 2:00pm, there will be an all-ages Chinese Lucky Knot Workshop, where you can create a decorative knot to bring prosperity and fortune to your home.

Over at Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site on January 25 and 26 and February 1 and 2 (11:00am to 4:00pm), special Lunar New Year activities will be staged in the Chinese Bunkhouse building. An inviting and cost-free way for you and your family to learn about New Year traditions, you can try calligraphy, learn about the zodiac, tackle traditional riddles and make souvenir bookmarks.

Richmond’s Gateway Theatre is also marking the Year of the Snake on February 1 with a one-day-only show performed by celebrated world music ensemble Silk Road Music. Starting at 2:00pm, tickets are just $25 for this extra special matinee concert entitled Silk Road Music: Lunar New Year Celebration. Expect an enchanting and intimate performance, blending Chinese folk and classical music with jazz, blues and additional global influences. Book ahead, though––there are limited tickets available. For more information, visit Gateway’s dedicated page.

Richmond’s 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 January 28 and 29, During this blessing ceremony, a giant bell will resonate, encouraging wisdom and spiritual reflection for the time ahead.

And the city’s Bodhi Meditation Centre is hosting a special New Year event on February 2 (10:00am to 4:00pm). There will be a full array of activities to check out on the day, including cultural performances, fortune telling, arts and crafts activities and blessings from the God of Fortune. Admission is free but you can reserve your spot here.

Chinese New Year 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 the festive period. Complementing the festive spirit, the Dine Out Vancouver Festival is also happening from January 22 to February 9, 2025, offering a fantastic opportunity to explore culinary delights at set prices right here in Richmond.

Throughout the city, you’ll also encounter special dishes filled with symbolic meaning­­––including dumplings, which are said to be shaped like ancient Chinese money.

The highly inviting, self-guided Dumpling Trail is another great way to kick off the Year of the Snake. So gather your friends and family, and set out on a dumpling-filled adventure that promises to be both memorable and mouthwatering. This trail features 17 local restaurants, each offering a unique and authentic dumpling experience. From the delicate and juicy xiao long bao at Dinesty to the crispy-coated wu gok at Empire Seafood Restaurant, there’s a dumpling to satisfy every palate.

Last Updated on January 21, 2025 by Tourism Richmond