Winter in Richmond

Winter in the Village

The Countdown is on for Steveston’s Winter in the Village December 2023!

This year might look a little different, but Steveston Village will once again be transformed into a festive village for the holiday season. From December 1 to 31,  there will be a sparkling array of free or low-cost Christmas events, activities, and attractions for the entire family. A one-stop shop for Yuletide fun, the charming heritage village is hosting dedicated activities for locals keen to tap into the spirit of the season.

Visit Winter in the Village page for more information.

Chinese New Year

If you attend a single event in Richmond, Chinese New Year is the one
For 15 days, Richmond is awash with celebrations. Alongside traditional lion and dragon dance performances, pop-up flower and gift markets sell beautiful floral arrangements and red-and-gold decorations, and the city’s Chinese restaurants offer mind-boggling feasts—we’re talking 10-12 courses in one sitting! Good thing Richmond has North America’s most authentic Chinese cuisine.

Where to Celebrate
Dining out is customary to celebrate special occasions, and Chinese New Year (also called Lunar New Year or Spring Festival) is arguably the most important of them all. Large, round tables at Richmond’s Chinese restaurants typically overflow this time of year with lively and elaborate feasts. Local favourites include Jade Seafood Restaurant, Sea Harbour Seafood, Fisherman’s Terrace, Continental Seafood Restaurant, Empire Seafood, and Chef Tony Seafood Restaurant. All offer banquet-style menus for large groups. Make reservations.

Richmond’s monasteries and temples also host events to celebrate, and guests are always welcome. Of particular interest is the International Buddhist Temple. Modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing, few other places in Canada offer as magical a venue to celebrate Chinese New Year. For a Tibetan take on the festivities, head to the Thrangu Monastery, where prayers and meditation services are open to all.

The biggest celebration in the city is at Aberdeen Centre. The mall hosts a popular flower and gift market, live performances, and a Chinese New Year’s Eve countdown event that attracts many locals and visitors alike.

When is Chinese New Year
2022: February 1, Year of the Tiger
2023: January 22, Year of the Rabbit
2024: February 10, Year of the Dragon

MORE ABOUT CHINESE NEW YEAR
Also called Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the new lunar year based on the Chinese calendar and is a spirited celebration that lasts from the new moon through to the 15th day of the first Lunar calendar month. The lunar new year is celebrated in much of Asia, including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia.

Traditionally, families gather on lunar New Year’s Eve for a reunion dinner. It is the most important meal of the year. Noodles are eaten for long life; dumplings, shaped like ancient Chinese money, represent wealth and prosperity. Spring rolls, a traditional food of the Spring Festival, are said to look like gold bars. Lettuce wraps are eaten because they play on the Chinese word for “fortune” which is also the word for “lettuce;” and large, golden fruits like tangerines, oranges, and pomelos symbolize fullness and wealth. Yum.

Annual events

The Best Time of Year is All Year Long

February
If events are your passion, Richmond has many to choose from. Chinese New Year—also known as Lunar New Year—is one of Richmond’s Chinese community’s most important events. The next Chinese New Year is February 10, 2024.

March
Richmond has lots of spring break activities at attractions, historic sites, and community centres. There is always a full slate of kid-friendly things to see and do, like the Lansdowne Centre Outdoor Spring Carnival.

May to September
The Steveston Farmers & Artisans Market is held on certain Sundays, featuring fresh produce, handmade jewelry, artisan crafts, and live entertainment. The market is located in the parking lot across from the Steveston Community Centre.

May to October
On weekends, the Richmond Night Market offers clothes, gadgets, and other merchandise alongside booths serving sweet and savoury street food and exotic drinks, all set to a soundtrack of live music, vocal merchants, cultural performances, and carnival games.

June
Doors Open Richmond is an annual arts, culture, and heritage festival that offers free activities and experiences to visitors and locals of all ages at up to fifty partner sites. These include National Historic Sites, museums, places of worship, art studios, city facilities, and specialty businesses.

July
Canada’s “biggest little birthday party” used to draw more than 70,000 people to Steveston every year. It kicks off with a pancake breakfast and parade, followed by various exhibits, live music, and performances. The highlights are the salmon barbecue, where more than 1,200 pounds of fresh salmon is grilled over open fire pits and a jaw-dropping fireworks display.

December
Don’t miss Steveston’s Winter in the Village during December. It’s an annual ritual for many families who wander the twinkling, festive streets, getting into the spirit of the season.