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2013 Chinese New Year Events

The 40th annual Vancouver Chinese New Year Parade on Sunday, Feb. 17, starts at the iconic Millenium Gate on Pender Street (between Shanghai Alley and Taylor Street).
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The 40th annual Vancouver Chinese New Year Parade on Sunday, Feb. 17, starts at the iconic Millenium Gate on Pender Street (between Shanghai Alley and Taylor Street).

This signature event of Vancouvers Chinatown district will feature lion dances, cultural dance troupes, marching bands, martial arts performances and much more.

As one of the three largest non-commercial annual parades in Vancouver, the parade, which draws over 50,000 spectators along the route each year plus many more via television, features the largest assembly of traditional lion dance teams in Canada, with dozens of colourful and energetic lions from the various local arts organizations.

To accommodate the longer route and the larger team entries, the parade will start an hour earlier at 11am, and will take about two and a half hours to complete. For the map and additional details, such as TV coverage, go to CBAVancouver.ca/parade.html.

Additional events:

Post-Parade Lion Dances: As a Chinese New Year tradition to promote good fortune for the year, some lions will be visiting the shops and businesses in Chinatown. The lions will perform a celebratory dance at each participating shop to bring good luck and prosperity from approximately 2 pm to 4 pm. Free.

Chinatown Spring Festival Cultural Fair: By popular demand, the Cultural Fair will be held on both February 16th and 17th. The Fair will be located at the Sun Yat-Sen Plaza (50 East Pender) featuring multicultural performances, special lion dance grand finale, martial arts demonstration and more. Saturday 1pm to 4pm and Sunday 2pm to 4pm. Free.

The Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is holding the "Year of the Snake Temple Fair", Feb. 17. (see STORY)

Chinese New Year Banquet: The annual Chinese New Year Banquet will once again be held at the Floata Seafood Restaurant (#400-180 Keefer) Feb. 17, featuring lion dances, good luck greetings by the Fortune God and a Chinese variety show with singing, cultural dances and more. Reception starts at 6 pm. Tickets are $35 each. Call the CBA at 604-681-1923 or email info@CBAVancouver.ca to purchase.