This year, the Lunar New Year celebrates the Year of the Snake.  The sixth animal in the 12-year cycle, the snake represents growth, renewal and wisdom. This year is also associated with the element wood, which is one of five elements, symbolizing growth and strength. 

This combination makes 2025 a great year to think about “shedding your skin” and growing for the better.  A wonderful way to kick off the Lunar New Year is by attending the 51st annual Chinatown Spring Festival Parade, and here’s how to get there on transit. 

Chinatown Spring Festival Parade 2025 

📅 Date: Sunday, Feb. 2
🕕 Time: 11 a.m.
📍 Location: Parade begins at the Millennium Gate on Pender St. 
🎟️ Admission: Free! 
🚇 Closest Station: Stadium–Chinatown Station

The parade covers a distance of 1.3 kilometres, taking approximately 3 hours, and will end at Keefer Street and Carrall Street. 

Expect beautiful red and gold displays, dragon dances, lion dances, and some of your favourite businesses and organizations participating in the parade.

Our special Lunar New Year bus will be on full display as part of the parade, and we’d love for you to see its grand debut. 

Participating businesses along the route are also expected to hang lettuce for lion dancers.

It’s part of a tradition called “choy cheng” (採青), which means “plucking the greens.” The lion dancers “eat” the lettuce and then “spit” it out, symbolizing the spreading of wealth and good fortune. Keep an eye out for this as you make your way to the start point. 

Take transit to the Chinatown Spring Festival Parade 2025 

Located near Stadium–Chinatown Station, this area is well served by transit! To find the best route and plan your trip, visit translink.ca/tripplanner.

Making it a family affair? Remember, kids 12 and under ride free every day!

Don’t have a Compass Card? Use contactless payment to pay for your transit fare. Simply tap your Interac Debit or contactless credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express) on our Compass Card readers to pay an adult fare. This includes Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.

Tap into special offers with your Compass Card

Don’t let the fun end at the Chinatown Spring Festival Parade. Use your Compass Card to unlock special offers and discounts with an incredible lineup of local businesses while you’re in Vancouver. Visit translink.ca/taketransit to find the offer that’s uniquely you, near transit and in Vancouver.