While the Snake has a generally dodgy reputation in (some) Western circles, in many Eastern cultures it’s honoured as a symbol of wisdom and renewal. In 2025, people everywhere are encouraged to shed old habits (just like the Snake sheds its skin) and embrace fresh approaches, in what translate to a year of thoughtful growth, strategic moves, and joy. From our calendar to yours comes this carefully considered agenda of cool things we are doing, wishing we could do, or conspiring to do in Vancouver for Lunar New Year 2025, the ‘Year of the Snake’.

CELEBRATE | Bao Bei is throwing a Year of the Snake bash today (Wednesday, January 29th), and by some special magic there are still a few seats available (at time of writing). If you’ve never been to a Bao Bei Lunar New Year party before, then we encourage you to take full advantage of this situation by grabbing a few pals and getting into the celebratory spirit. Chef Manny Castillo has crafted a six-course feast that blends Chinese culinary roots with farm-fresh goodness, aiming to bring abundance and luck in every bite. Expect dumplings, Prosperity Salad, spring rolls, Seafood Noodles, Crispy Pork Hock and dessert – all paired with drinks designed to keep you smiling. The night is set against a backdrop of red lanterns, classic Cantopop tunes, and plenty of good cheer. There will even be an in-house lion dance by the Chau Luen Athletic Club! Trust us: These guys do it right. Snag a seat HERE.

SNACKS! | This Sunday (February 1st) there’s a tasty little Chinese New Year-themed pop-up happening at Chinatown’s Fortune Sound Club from 11am to 4pm. Conveniently located just a hop, skip and a jump from the official parade route, the Fortune Food Fair is a gathering of seven local vendors offering everything from dumplings and dhal, to pozole and spiked boba tea. The vendor lineup includes Tatchan Noodle, Manpuku, Katz Pozole, Baby Dhal,  Elbo Patties, Rebel Rebel BBQ, and Sam & Simone’s Meat Pies – all available at reasonable prices. Even better, it’s free to attend and family friendly – so everybody is welcome! Good times. DETAILS

LEARN | In addition to their ongoing educational exhibitions (so good!), this weekend the Chinese Canadian Museum is offering a sweet line-up of Year of the Snake celebrations, including Cantonese storytime, balloon artistry, and an ice cream cart by Elephant Garden Creamery…basically, a whole bunch of festive fun rolled into two days. Meanwhile, gorgeous red envelopes by artist Kristen Qing’s will be available. Showcasing a coiled serpent emerging from a peach tree, surrounded by fireworks and copper coins, Qing’s design takes inspiration from “金蛇狂舞” (Golden Snake Dancing Wildly) – the perfect symbol of renewal and prosperity to carry everyone into a bright, abundant new year. DETAILS

SERPENTINE SPECTACLE | Get yourself to Chinatown for the 51st Chinese New Year parade on Sunday, February 2nd. This year, you can expect to be vying for viewing space with anywhere between 100,000-150,000+ other enthusiastic parade-goers – so arrive early to claim your piece of sidewalk! The parade starts at 11am at the Millennium Gate, travelling east along Pender, before turning south onto Gore, then west onto Keefer, and ending at the Abbott intersection. Also of note: there are rumours of snow this weekend, and the parade usually lasts a few hours; so be sure to wear a nice and thick red (lucky-coloured) sweater, and bring along a hot drink to keep your hands warm. DETAILS

GATHER | Make the most of the Lunar New Year festivities by extending your Chinatown romp to explore the Classical Chinese Gardens, open from 11am to 4pm. Auspicious red lanterns (symbolizing prosperity and good fortune) will be lighting up the courtyards, and attendees can expect hands-on Year of the Snake activities, as well as music, calligraphy demos, a wishing tree, fortune telling, a tea ceremony, and many, many dumplings! DETAILS.

ENGAGE | Slip into the Chinatown Storytelling Centre for Taste of Chinatown, a lively Lunar New Year weekend with packed with interactive fun. Indulge your creativity by personalizing your own lucky red envelopes, and help colour a life-size mural of Chinatown designed by Serena Chu (Chu Chu Ceramics). There will also be chances to win prizes (think swag from Lululemon, Mercato di Luigi, Foo Hung Curios, and more). And don’t leave before having your photo snapped at the Lunar New Year-themed Yucho Chow Studio photo booth, for posterity! Taste of Chinatown is $5 for one adult admission, but completely free for everyone under the age of 17. DETAILS

FEAST | On Thursday, February 6th, Dicky’s Dumps and La Mezcaleria are putting a fresh spin on Year of the Snake celebrations with a special one-night-only dinner collab. Yes, you read that correctly! The two local food favourites will be serving up handmade dumplings with zesty Mexican twists. Think: Birria Dumplings (Pork & chives dumplings served with a deeply flavourful birria broth); Black Macha Aguachile with Prawns & Scallops Dumplings (fried dumplings in a black macha sauce); Mexican Master Stock with Chicken & Ginger Dumplings (steamed dumplings glazed in a rich sauce, accompanied by ginger-infused pickles and ajillo pepper oil); and Grilled Veggies with Vegetarian Dumplings (mushrooms, eggplant, and a bright pickled salad). Alcoholic and non-alcoholic pairing options will also be available. Walk-ins are welcome; but because this celebratory feast is sure to be popular and seats might be hard to come by, if you aren’t one to push your luck then lock in your reservation HERE.