Chinese Canadian Museum Celebrates Winter Solstice Festival with Family-Fun Activities

The Goods from the Chinese Canadian Museum

Vancouver, BC | In celebration of the upcoming Winter Solstice Festival, also known as Dongzhi 冬至, the longest night of the year, the Chinese Canadian Museum is hosting a special day of activities on Saturday, December 20, 2025. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., guests of all ages are invited to visit for snow globe making, trilingual storytime featuring the book Weiwei’s Winter Solstice: A Dongzhì Story by Michelle Jing Chan, and tastings of tangyuan — a comforting treat of sweet glutinous rice balls that symbolizes reunion and togetherness. Registration is now open online.

This year, the Winter Solstice Festival will officially be observed on December 21, 2025, which marks the arrival of winter. The event is traditionally a time for families to gather, share hearty meals like hot pot, and enjoy tangyuan and dumplings together, and pay tribute to their ancestors.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, December 20, 2025
Snow Globes and Tangyuan Tasting
Guests will have the chance to create snow globes, complete with tiny snowmen and charming miniatures like boba tea, dim sum, or a mahjong tile.
Education Centre (1st Floor)
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Winter Solstice Storytime
Featuring Weiwei’s Winter Solstice: A Dongzhì Story by Michelle Jing Chan
School Room (3rd Floor)
1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.

About Weiwei’s Winter Solstice: A Dongzhì Story by Michelle Jing Chan: A young girl named Weiwei celebrates the winter solstice, or Dongzhì, in her new snow-covered home. Though she misses the warmth and familiarity of her old home where she used to celebrate with her family, she soon realizes — through shared traditions like making tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) and spending time with loved ones — that home isn’t defined by a place, but by family and the customs they cherish together. In time, Weiwei learns to embrace both the cold season and the warmth of togetherness.

This event is free with admission. Tickets to the Chinese Canadian Museum are available online or in-person at 51 E Pender Street.

For information about Chinese Canadian Museum’s current exhibitions and events, please visit chinesecanadianmuseum.ca.