Here’s where you can celebrate Lunar New Year in Greater Victoria
Events will take place throughout the city over the next two weeks
This weekend marks Lunar New Year, sending us into the Year of the Dragon, with plenty of ways to celebrate over the next two weeks.
Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival, typically falls around the second new moon after the winter solstice—like the one happening tomorrow—to mark the end of winter and is celebrated throughout East Asia and its diaspora.
Victoria has a vibrant Chinese history, with both the oldest Chinatown and Chinese temple in Canada, so it’s no surprise there are many ways to celebrate this occasion.
Check out our list of events to see where you can watch lion dancing, learn about the Chinese zodiac, and indulge in great food.
Chinese Canadian Museum
The museum will host events over the next two weekends, starting Sat. with dragon beard candy tasting and Chinese zodiac interpretations. Other events include a reading of White Jade Tiger, a story set in Victoria’s historic Chinatown, by local author Julie Lawson, blessings by lion dancers, and a Family Day chopstick challenge. See the list of events here.
Friday, Feb. 9
Head to Tapestry to see traditional dances and enjoy some tasty Chinese food. Email to RSVP.
Saturday, Feb. 10
Uptown Lunar New Year Celebration
Catch a lion dance by Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club at this celebration. Red envelopes will also be given out.
Lunar New Year Dinner at Golden City Restaurant
Enjoy a hearty meal to ring in the new year at this Fisgard restaurant. Seating limited.
Enter the Dragon Dance at The Hallway
Celebrate Lunar New Year with an evening of dinner and dancing at The Hallway, with multiple DJs spinning throughout the night.
Expect lion dances and acrobatics at this show meant to bring luck to your new year.
Sunday, Feb. 11
See live performances at Esquimalt’s town square, including awakening the dragon and lion dances.
Saturday, Feb. 18
Victoria Chinatown Parade and Merchant Blessing
Lion dances from Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club, a dragon dance from Victoria Chinese Public School students, and other traditional performances will electrify Chinatown along Fisgard. After the parade, the lion dancers will visit merchants who have hung offerings of lettuce and red envelopes containing money for them. The lions will then bless these businesses to bring luck and scare away evil spirits.
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