The Fire Dragon Festival in Vancouver’s Chinatown hosts a day of cultural performances, culinary exploration, and heritage appreciation, culminating with a fiery procession through the historic neighbourhood at dusk.
Photo submitted – Fire Dragon Festival (2022)
Fire Dragon Festival in Chinatown
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024 from 11:00am to 5:00, parade at 7:00pm
Location: Chinatown Plaza Mall (180 Keefer St) and 578 Carrall for the parade start
Performance and sound garden by Burnaby North Secondary Chinese Orchestra
Evening Ceremony and Parade
The main event will see the Fire Dragon with its glowing embers snaking its way through the streets of Chinatown. Follow the dragon and the team of hardworking performers as it twists and turns to the beat of their drums.
There will be an Indigenous welcome by Coastal Wolf Pack, an eye dotting ceremony of fire dragon, and the main parade led by Chau Luen Athletics.
About the Fire Dragon Festival
The Fire Dragon Festival is produced by the Chinatown Celebration Society: “The origin of Fire Dragon Dance can be traced to over hundred years ago in Tai Hang, Hong Kong. After suffering from a storm, the people of Pok Fu Lam Village were attacked by a snake that shattered the village’s peaceful existence.
The villagers caught and killed the snake, but in the days following the snake’s death, a nasty plague broke out in the region. A village elder proclaimed that Buddha came to him in a dream, advising that to stop the misfortune, they must perform a fire dragon dance around the village for three days and three nights. The villagers obliged and miraculously, the plague went away. Thus began the tradition of the Fire Dragon.“
To this day, the Fire Dragon Dance is the main activity of the Mid-Autumn celebration in Pok Fu Lam, and is a traditional custom of the Hakka ethnic group from China.
Join the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event in Maple Ridge this year, presented by PLEA Community Services, Katzie First Nation, Fraser River Indigenous Society, BC SPOKES and the City of Maple Ridge.
This year’s theme is “Acknowledging Indigenous Resilience” and is being planned by a large group of local organizations who believe strongly in bringing this event and its important message to Maple Ridge and the surrounding communities.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Date: Sunday, September 29, 2024 from 10:00am to 3:00pm
Motivational speaker and hiphop artist K.A.S.P. will be a guest speaker around 11:00am
This day honours the children who never returned home and the survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
In 2023, the event welcomed over 4,000 people who were engaged and informed by Indigenous speakers, dancers, drummers, food, orange t-shirt painting and more.
This year, organizers expect the event to grow to welcome even more members of the community to come together in solidarity, to honour Indigenous culture, and to listen and to show respect for the survivors and families affected by the residential school system.
The event will include an opening march along with Indigenous speakers, dancers, drummers, and artists who will share their cultural artistry. There will be the creation of a community art piece throughout the day as well.
More than 30 other local non-profit organizations, community support agencies and businesses who support the local Indigenous community are also on the planning committee.
As we welcome autumn, we’ve curated a list of our current warming culinary favourites, along with notable limited edition menus in Metro Vancouver, all in one spot for our Vancouver Eats September feature. Here’s your restaurant news, menu updates, special events and more exciting tidbits for all food enthusiasts and those who love a good time:
Vancouver Eats: Autumn Harvest Tea, September Dinner Series
Pork Ramen at Kinton Ramen Surrey, photo submitted
Upcoming Themed Events
Kinton Ramen Surrey 1st Anniversary Specials
When: September 22nd from 11:00am to 10:00pm
Where: #103 – 13639 George Junction, Surrey
Details: Kinton Ramen is pleased to announce they will be celebrating their 1st year anniversary on Sunday, September 22nd by offering all signature ramen bowls for just $9.99 from 11:00am – 10:00pm at their Surrey location located at #103 – 13639 George Junction. This offer includes all of Kinton Ramen’s popular signature ramen varieties, featuring pork, chicken, beef and vegetarian options in Original, Miso, Shoyu and Spicy broths. The event is a gesture of gratitude to the Surrey community for welcoming Kinton Ramen to the neighbourhood and ongoing support.
This fall, The Improv Centre (TIC) presents The Betrayers for a limited engagement, featuring a fresh ensemble of talented performers, and you can enter to win tickets.
Inspired by the hit reality show The Traitors, this evening of deception, deceit, and laughter will take you deep into the twisted world of Betrayers—a high-stakes competition where improvisors navigate a web of lies and faux friendships, all in a bid to be the last one standing.
Fall Shows at the Improv Centre on Granville Island
When: September 26 – November 2, 2024
Where: The Improv Centre (1502 Duranleau St, Vancouver on Granville Island)
Tickets: From $28, with discounts available for students and seniors, and are available online or in person at the TIC Box Office.
In this interactive show created by longstanding TIC performer Allen Morrison, audience and performers alike try to figure out which improvisors are “betrayers” – but performers have to hurry as they could “meet their demise” at the hands of a betrayer at any time! Even the audience gets a say in who they trust and who they want gone for good. Will you discover the truth before it’s too late? Or will you be betrayed?!
After an open call audition process, TIC introduces new ensemble of performers this fall with Ambika Vas, Caitlin Maira, Carly Pokoradi, Della Haddock, Jenny Rubé, Maddy Rafter, and Mark Savoie joining the cast. Returning to The Improv Centre are Jalen Saip (Artistic Director), Alan Pavlakovic, Alex Gullason, Alex Parra, Allen Morrison, Brad Rossington, Cameron Grant, Chris Casillan, Dan Willows, Drew Clarke, Ed Witzke, Emily Schoen, Helen Camisa, Meaghan Hommy, Jacki Gunn, Jeff Cooper, John Voth, Julia Church, Mary Saunders, Rachel Kent, Raf Rogers, Riley Hardwick, Stephanie Webster, and Will Vaughan.
September is one of the busiest months for events in Vancouver and we’re ready to roll into the first full weekend of the month with a solid lineup of fun things to do around the city. From baseball and theatre, to block parties, markets, and exhibitions. Have a wonderful weekend!
