Take transit to these 8 Lunar New Years events

Take transit to these 8 Lunar New Years events

A dragon at the Lunar New Year Parade in Vancouver's Chinatown

Lunar New Year officially begins on Jan. 29, celebrating the Year of the Snake in 2025. This animal represents new growth, renewal, and wisdom. 

Some celebrations last until Feb. 16, so there’s lots of time to take transit to any of the eight celebrations below. Get ready to shed your old skin and begin the year anew! 

1. Lunar New Year at Dr. Sun Yat-sen Classical Chinese Garden 

📍 Address: 578 Carrall St, Vancouver  
⌚ Date and Time: Sunday, Feb. 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 
💵 Admission: $9.85 for adults, $7.72 for children 
🚌 Closest Station: Stadium–Chinatown Station 

Visit the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Classical Chinese Garden for their Year of the Snake event on Feb. 2 for an entire afternoon of Lunar New Year celebrations. Enjoy delicious eats, including cookies and dumplings, experience a tea ceremony, and arts and crafts activities. Finish the day with a lion dance performance and a Chinese knot workshop.  

You’ll come away from this event with new learnings and experiences, and lots to take home. Be sure to buy your ticket online before you go. 

2. Lunar New Year at The MET

📍 Address: Metropolis at Metrotown, 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby 
⌚ Date and Time: Various events until Sunday, Feb. 16. 
💵 Admission: Free!  
🚌 Closest Station: Metrotown Station (Expo Line) 

Metropolis at Metrotown is hosting numerous free events to celebrate the Year of the Snake. Try lantern making and calligraphy, or stop to view a cooking show. You could even participate in the dumpling eating contest, so come hungry!  

There will also be a traditional Chinese music concert, complete with dancing, and an opportunity to try some traditional Chinese activities, such as creating a family tree, using an abacus, and cutting out lanterns.  

3. Lunar New Year at Lansdowne Centre 

📍 Address: 5300 Number 3 Rd, Richmond 
⌚ Date and Time: Saturday, Feb. 1 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.  
💵 Admission: Free!  
🚌 Closest Station: Lansdowne Station (Canada Line) 

The Lunar New Year event at Lansdowne Centre features workshops and a TON of activities! Enjoy their vibrant Year of the Snake decor. Try your luck at a ring toss challenge and play giant snakes and ladders. This event’s donations will benefit the Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital Foundation.  

4. Dumpling Games at Granville Island  

📍 Address: Ocean Artworks Pavilion at Granville Island, 1531 Johnston St, Vancouver  
💵 Admission: Free with food purchase, spend $20 or more to play for a chance to win more food. 
⌚ Date and Time: Saturday, Feb. 15 to Monday, Feb. 17, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  
🚌 Bus Route: 50 False Creek South/Waterfront Station

When you stop by Lunar Fest at Granville Island to get some good eats, including dumplings, Taiwanese popcorn, and tofu pudding. You’ll also have a chance to play in the dumpling games and try your luck at a dice game, commonly played at Lunar New Year festivities in Asia, for a chance to “supersize” your food order.  

5. Pacific Centre

📍 Address: 701 W Georgia St, Vancouver 
⌚Date and Time: Saturday, Feb. 8 from 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.   
💵 Admission: Free! 
🚌 Closest Station: Granville Station (Expo Line) 

Pacific Centre will be adorned with Year of the Snake decor throughout the Lunar New Year period. Be sure to stop by on Feb. 8 for a special celebration featuring a traditional lion dance, the God of Fortune, and more! The lion dance symbolizes good fortune and energy to start the New Year. Meet the God of Fortune as he brings wealth and luck to the community, kicking off the Year of the Snake.

6. Aberdeen Centre  

📍 Address: 4151 Hazelbridge Wy, Richmond 
⌚ Date and Time: Various events from Saturday, Feb. 1 to Sunday, Feb. 9, check their website for details.   
💵 Admission: Free!  
🚌 Closest Station: Aberdeen Station (Canada Line)  

Aberdeen Centre is celebrating Lunar New Year with a few events happening on the weekend and all the way up to Feb. 9. With lion and dragon dances, and visiting dance academies performing, visit the Central Atrium. 

7. International Village Mall 

📍 Address: 88 W Pender St, Vancouver 
⌚ Date and Time: Saturday, Feb. 1 and Sunday, Feb. 2 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
💵 Admission: Free! 
🚌 Closest Station: Stadium–Chinatown Station 

Stop by International Village Mall on Feb. 1 or Feb. 2! Enjoy snake-themed gifts and crafts, art exhibitions, free games and souvenirs, and craft booths by local artisans. Attend a workshop for Chinese heritage crafts, so you’ll be able to bring something home.  

8. Richmond Centre

📍 Address: 6551 Number 3 Rd, Richmond, BC V6Y 2B6 
⌚ Date and Time: Saturday, Feb. 1 from 2 p.m. to 3:30pm 
💵 Admission: Free!  
🚌 Closest Station: Richmond–Brighouse Station (Canada Line) 

Visit Richmond Centre to enjoy Year of the Snake decorations, specials, and celebrations — including dragon and lion dances. Visit on Feb. 1 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for a traditional lion dance, festive dance performances, God of Fortune, and more! A traditional lion dance symbolizes good fortune and energy at the beginning of the New Year. Meet the God of Fortune as he shares his wealth and luck with the community to kick off the Year of the Snake.

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Are you planning to visit any of the listed celebrations? Don’t forget to tag us in your social posts – we’d love to see them! Use #MyTransLink so we won’t miss them. You could even get a feature on our social accounts.  

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