Traditional lanterns at LunarFest. Photo credit: CIBC LunarFest
Lanterns! Lion dances! Dumplings galore! If you thought our city’s Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year festivities were limited to the annual Vancouver Chinese New Year Parade this Sunday, February 17, think again.
LunarFest -Â a free, family-friendly, weekend-long Lunar New Year party – takes place February 15-17. Head on over to the Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza from 12-8pm and get involved in welcoming the Year of the Snake.
Vancouver’s Asian community is diverse and LunarFest is a full-on, contemporary celebration of that diversity, showcasing lion dances, food and art from Korea, Japan, India, Taiwan and Northern China and Southern China.
Expect the largest display of multicultural lion dancers, a stunning animal lantern jungle including many glowing versions of the snake, musical performances, lantern hat-making, DumplingFest and more.
Find highlights from the LunarFest schedule after the jump.
Lantern snake hat. Photo credit: CIBC LunarFest
 Lunar New Year “LunarFest” Schedule Highlights
- Lantern Jungle, 12-8pm, Friday, February 15 to Sunday, February 17 – FREE
A stunning display of animal lanterns including snakes. - Eastern Legends Show, 5-6pm, Friday, February 15 to Sunday, February 17 – FREE
A rock ‘n’ roll version of Chinese Chamber Music - Lantern Making How-To, 1-2pm, Friday, February 15 to Friday, February 15 to Sunday, February 17 – FREE
The master of lantern-making is on hand to share his secrets with you. - Lunar Drum Medley, 3-4pm, Sunday, February 17 -FREE
Welcome the new year with beats from Darma Drum Mountain group.
DumplingFest offerings. Photo credit: CIBC LunarFest
Dumpling Fest, 12-8pm, Friday, February 15 to Sunday, February 17
Many Asian cultures celebrate Lunar New Year; each has their own version of Lunar New Year dumplings. Taste them all at DumplingFest, taking place daily at LunarFest. There’s five versions on offer for $7 and under per serving.
LunarFest takes place 12-8pm Friday, February 15 through Sunday February 17. Looking for more Lunar New Year Vancouver events? Check out this list of the city’s 5 best Chinese New Year events.
Want more updates on Vancouver fun? Follow me on Twitter @TJerven
