Celebrate culture and community at Awakening Chinatown 2025

This Sunday, May 25, Victoria’s historic Chinatown comes alive with colour, sound, and celebration for Awakening Chinatown 2025. It's a free family-friendly event where locals come together to share stories, traditions, and the energy that makes Victoria’s Chinatown a special place.

Hosted by the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society (VCMS)—which took over the museum in Fan Tan Alley in the fall—in partnership with lead sponsor RBC and Chinatown businesses, the event offers a dynamic mix of cultural performances, interactive activities, and opportunities for connection—all taking place on and around lower Fisgard.

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A tribute to one of North America’s oldest Chinatowns

Victoria’s Chinatown isn’t just a local treasure: it’s the oldest Chinatown in Canada and the second oldest in North America, after San Francisco. With deep historical roots, it has long been a centre for Chinese culture, trade, and community life on Vancouver Island. Today, it remains a vital part of the city’s cultural landscape. It’s home to the oldest Chinese temple in Canada, which won second place in a Canadawide heritage competition last month.

Awakening Chinatown began as a way to reinvigorate and spotlight this legacy, bringing together generations of families, artists, and business owners to share in the pride and heritage of this iconic neighbourhood. Now in its latest edition, the 2025 event promises to be the most lively yet.

What to Expect

From martial arts to music, the afternoon will be filled with high-energy and traditional performances that showcase the depth and diversity of Chinese culture. Highlights include:

• Lion dancing that brings the streets to life
• Kung fu demonstrations from local martial arts schools
• Live music, opera, and traditional Chinese dance
• Cultural activities like calligraphy and fortune telling
• Cultural exhibits and storytelling sessions highlighting Chinatown’s history
• Crafts and interactive workshops perfect for families and kids

Stroll through the event to enjoy not just performances but also traditional food, learn more about Chinese history, and experience the charm of Chinatown’s heritage buildings and its welcoming community.

Event schedule:

• 12:30pm Opening ceremonies
• 1pm Awakening the lions and lion dance
• 1:15pm Happy drum group
• 1:40pm Renowned harpist Michelle Kwan
• 2pm Victoria Chinese opera club
• 2:20pm Chinese dance Victoria
• 2:40pm  Happy drum group
• 3pm Harpist Michelle Kwan
• 3:20pm Kung fu demo by Wong Sheung kung fu club
• 3:40pm Lion performance by Wong Sheung kung fu club
• 4pm Hip hop artist Hua Li
• 4:40pm Wong Sheung kung fu club
• 4:55pm Opera performances by Alex Chen, guest appearance by Shelley Shen

Explore more with the Awakening Chinatown scavenger hunt

For those who love a little adventure, the Awakening Chinatown Scavenger Hunt adds an extra layer of fun and discovery to the day. Here’s how it works:

• Pick up a free scavenger hunt passport
• Visit historic landmarks around Chinatown
• Collect at least 5 stickers
• Drop off your completed card at the Victoria Chinatown Museum at 10 Fan Tan Alley

What can you win? Two BC Ferries one-way vehicle + driver vouchers and two adult passenger tickets, a $100 downtown Victoria gift card from the DVBA, a $50 gift card to Fan Tan Home & Style, $50 to So Delightful, $50 to Shanzee’s Old Town, and a gift basket from Saltspring Soapworks.

Whether you’re reconnecting with your roots, discovering something new, or simply out to enjoy a day of culture and community, Awakening Chinatown 2025 is a joyful and meaningful way to celebrate Asian Heritage Month. It's also a chance to support local artists, performers, and businesses working to keep traditions alive and evolving.

When: Sunday, May 25

Time: 12pm-5:30pm

Where: Victoria’s Chinatown (lower Fisgard)

For more event details visit victoriachinatownmuseum.com