Chinese New Year Events 2012 Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Surrey

The Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) will be rung in on Monday, January 23, 2012. Vancouver has a very strong and very proud Chinese heritage so it comes as no surprise that there is a wide variety of festive celebrations happening around the region.

Photo credit: PiscesDreamer on Flickr

I was about to put together my own list but found that Dianne Chow of Fabulously in Frugal Vancouver already published a great event post. Here are my picks from her list along with a few of my own recommendations:

Richmond
Location: International Buddhist Temple, Richmond (9160 Steveston Hwy)
Date: Wednesday, January 18 to Monday, January 23, 2012
Event: Visitors can enjoy flower arrangements, foods, gift items, and more. On Chinese New Year’s Eve (January 22), the Temple will be open for its late night festivities until 1:00am. At midnight there will be a large group ceremony to bless all sentient beings. A vegetarian luncheon will take place on January 23 to celebrate the arrival of the new lunar year. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Event Website

Location: Aberdeen Centre, Richmond (4151 Hazelbridge Way)
Date: Sunday, January 22 to Monday, January 23, 2012
Hours: Mall Hours (fair runs until 12:30am on January 22nd)
Event: On New Year’s Eve there will be a countdown spectacular by Fairchild Radio with a live television special on Fairchild TV. The following day there will be a golden dragon and lion dance at 11:00am in the courtyard.
Event Website

Location: Aberdeen Centre, Richmond (4151 Hazelbridge Way)
Date: Saturday, January 28 to Sunday, January 29, 2012
Hours: 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Event: Chinese New Year Flower & Gift Fair with presentations from the BC Chinese Music Association, Vancouver Academy of Dance, BC Zhong Yang Music Association, Colors of Dance Academy
Event Website

Location: Landsowne Centre (5300 No.3 Road)
Date: Sunday, January 22, 2012
Hours: 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Event: Celebrations with a lion dance, martial arts, Chinese opera, karaoke, and more.
Event Website

Photo credit: kennymatic on Flickr

Burnaby
Location: Lougheed Town Centre (Austin Ave & North Road)
Date: Saturday, January 21, 2012
Hours: From 10:30am
Event: Lion dance and variety of other festivities
Event Website

Location: Brentwood Town Centre (4567 Lougheed Hwy)
Date: Saturday, January 21, 2012
Hours: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Event: Lion dance, crafts, blessing of merchants.
Event Website

Location: Metropolis at Metrotown Grand Court
Date: Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Hours: 10:00am to 4:00pm
Event: Lion dance, merchant blessing and more.
Event Website

Surrey
Location: Central City Shopping Centre (10153 King George Blvd)
Date: Sunday, January 23, 2012
Hours: Mall hours (11:00am to 6:00pm)
Event: Visit T&T Supermarket and Forum Home Appliances for specials and enjoy the sidewalk sale.
Event Website

West Vancouver
Location: Park Royal South Centre Court
Date: Saturday, January 21, 2012
Hours: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Event: Traditional Lion’s Dance, Cosmological Tai Chi, and music. The first 100 guests will get a red envelope with some “lucky money” to spend at Park Royal.
Event Website

Vancouver
Location: Floata Restaurant (#400 – 180 Keefer St)
Date: Sunday, January 22, 2012
Hours: 5:00pm (doors) 6:00pm (dinner)
Event: Gung Haggis Fat Choy: Robbie Burns Day meets the Chinese New Year in a banquet celebration.
Event Link

Location: International Village (88 West Pender)
Date: Friday, January 27 to Sunday, January 29, 2012
Hours: 12:00pm to 10:00pm, 7:00pm on Sunday
Event: Entertainment, hourly “lucky draws”, merchant blessing, and more.
Event Website

Location: Oakridge Mall, West Galleria
Date: Saturday, January 28, 2012
Hours: 10:00am to 12:30pm
Event: Chinese New Year 6th Lucky Lunar Day of Celebrations with Lion Dance stage performance and luck blessings.
Event Website

Location: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden
Date: Sunday, January 29, 2012
Hours: 10:00am to 4:30pm with a preview on Saturday from 1:00pm to 4:30pm
Event: Year of the Dragon Temple Fair: A Hot & Noisy Affair. Live music, food, and entertainment. Entrance by donation.
Event Link

Location: Millennium Gate, Chinatown
Date: Sunday, January 29, 2012
Hours: Begins at 12:00pm
Event: Chinese New Year parade, downtown’s largest celebration.
Event Website