10 Ways to Celebrate the Year of the Rooster

1. LunarFest – Now until Sunday, February 5

LunarFest is considered Canada’s premier presenter of contemporary expression in Asian cultural arts. This family-friendly event will feature Chinese New Year’s festivities including musical performances, art displays, crafts, a kids’ festival, fortune-telling as well as the Rooster Winter Games.
Oakridge Centre and Queen Elizabeth Plaza

 

2. Celebration of Chinese New Year of the Rooster – Thursday, January 26 to Sunday, January 29

International Village Mall’s New Year’s celebration is a four-day event that showcases Chinese spring festival traditions. For the kickoff, local politicians and celebrities will be in attendance for an eye-dotting ritual and lion dance. Throughout the festival, the mall will feature vendor and exhibition booths on the main and upper levels with Chinese New Year goodies, culinary delights, multicultural performances and more.
International Village Mall, 88 West Pender Street, Vancouver

 

3. Countdown Night to Chinese New Year of the Rooster – Friday, January 27

Count down to the Year of the Rooster at Aberdeen Centre. The night will be filled with a variety of entertainment, food and celebration. At 8:30 p.m., Fairchild Radio will kick off the event with a pre-countdown stage show. Hoping to have a lucky year? Receive personal blessings from the Chinese God of Fortune on this special night.
Live countdown:10:30 p.m. to 12:10 a.m.
Aberdeen Centre 4151 Hazelbridge Way, Richmond

 

4. Fortune-telling by Master Sherman Tai – January 27, 28, February 3 and 4

Do you seek to know your fortune for the New Year? Receive a personal reading from well-known fortune teller and feng shui master Sherman Tai. He will be at the Richmond River Rock Casino for two weekends, on January 27 and 28, and February 3 and 4 at 9:30 p.m. All donations go to support the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Minimum donations start at $20
Casino Guest Services, 8811 River Road, Richmond

 

5. Year of the Rooster Temple Fair – Sunday, January 29

Celebrate the Year of the Rooster Temple Fair at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Enjoy arts and crafts, demonstrations of tai chi, traditional music and participate in ancient rituals such as scaring away evil spirits with a lively lion dance and receiving lucky red envelopes from elders.
578 Carrall Street, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., admission by donation

 

6. Chinese New Year Parade – Sunday, January 29

For the quintessential Chinese New Year experience, head down for the 44th annual parade in the heart of Chinatown. This signature event features lion dances, cultural dance troupes, marching bands, martial arts performances and much more.
Parade begins at 11 a.m.
The 1.3-km long route starts at the Millennium Gate on Pender Street (between Shanghai Alley and Taylor Street), proceeds east along Pender Street, turns south onto Gore Street, turns west onto Keefer Street and then disperses on Keefer at Abbott

 

7. Cheers to the Year of the Rooster!

Celebrate Chinese New Year with three signature cocktails at these local bars…

Inspired by the 10th animal in the Chinese zodiac, beverage director J-S Dupuis concocted Zh?ngchéng, a balance of traditional Chinese flavours and a rich blend of citrus and the sensual smoke of lapsang souchong tea, available at Boulevard Kitchen + Oyster Bar.

Head Bartender Katie Ingram, shows off the rooster’s vibrant colours in the Golden Rooster cocktail, available at L’Abattoir.

Finally, bar manager Dave Warren pays homage by blending multiple flavours that balance and give the ‘Cockeyed Rooster’ a bit of a kick, available at the Salted Vine Kitchen + Bar.

 

8. Dharma Drum Vancouver Centre Chinese New Year Festival – Saturday, January 28 and Sunday, January 29

Dharma Drum Vancouver Center’s Chinese New Year’s celebration features programs and performances for all ages. Activities include drumming, lion dancing, crafts (lantern making, calligraphy), and performances of Chinese instruments and traditional songs. You can also participate in the ancient Chan (Zen) tea ceremony.

1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., free
Dharma Drum Mountain Vancouver Centre, 8240 No. 5 Road, Richmond

 

9. Lunar New Year Celebration at Lansdowne – Sunday, January 29

Make it a family outing to the TD Lunar New Year Celebration, hosted by the Richmond Chinese Community Society. This annual event will include a variety of multicultural dance performances—from the lion dance to Japanese drumming—as well as booths for crafts and Chinese calligraphy.
1 to 5 p.m., free
Lansdowne Centre, 5300 No 3 Rd, Richmond

 

10. Parker Place Celebration – Sunday, February 5

Enjoy the Year of the Rooster celebration show at Parker Place. The event kicks off with the traditional lion dance through the mall. There will be prize giveaways, special scratch cards and a variety of traditional Chinese cuisine samples to taste.
2 to 4 p.m., starts at 12:30 p.m.
4380 No. 3 Road, Richmond