Vancouver Chinese New Year Celebration
written by John Chow
Happy Chinese New Year everyone! Today is the year of the pig and I took the family down to Chinatown to take in all the festivities. Chinese New Year is a big deal in Vancouver because a large percentage of the population is Asian. Vancouver’s Chinatown is the second biggest in North America and there were many non Asian groups taking part in the celebration.
It has been many years since I took in a Chinese New Year celebration. My family belongs to one of the societies that were in the parade, which featured dancing lions and dragons, firecrackers, marching bands, non profit and for profit companies, the Vancouver Police department, and a bunch of other groups. We watched the celebration from the patio of the society’s building on Pender Street - why stand on the street when you can get VIP seating? 
I was almost tempted to join the society in the parade but decided against it. It’s been forever since I danced the lion or play that big drum. I doubt I still remember the steps. The parade lasted 90 minutes. Here are some highlight photos.
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It looks beautiful John. Thanks for the pics. We don’t see a celebration as elaborate as that here on the opposite coast.
I love the large dragons. They’re amazing.
I just love the colours that are used!
John, I heard it the year of the Golden Pig(boar) or something, is that true? If so, what makes it golden?
Though being the Chinese New Year, the company I work for has to wait at least 2 week before anything from over seas is shipped to us. I hope they remembered this year and upped the qty of goods this year.
Hi John, it looks like Vancouver has a large no. of Asian population, otherwise, it wouldn’t attract large corporation - the cathay pacific airlines.
Nice pictures. Gung hay fat choy–now do I get some lai-see?
Great pics, John. Gung Hai Fat Choi! Great city as well. I’ve been to Vancouver twice and I definitely am amazed at how clean it manages to stay. Although a bit on the cool side (I’m originally from Southern California), one cannot help but be impressed by its great combination of mountains/snow and coastline. Definitely my number 1 destination if I ever head up north.
Love those pictures, John.
Xin Nian Kuai Le, Gong Xi Fa Cai.
Aris.
Thanks for sharing John.. great pictures. Always wanted to visit Vancouver’s Chinatown.. it looks like a pretty fun place.
Gung Hay Fat Choy, John.
Wish we’d been able to head into town to see all the festivities, but we’re already coming in from Abbotsford 2 or 3 times this week for appointments and that’s too much fighting of traffic already. Thanks for the great photos.
Gonna learn the steps for next year?
DARN I’m Asian and I forgot about this one.
Well I couldn’t have made it anyhow but..
Nice pictures John, it’s a shame we don’t have too many Chinese living around here, I’ve seen it once and it’s surely impressive!
I love Chinese New Year!!!!! and nice pictures
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Nice pics!
-Nick
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Phenomenal pictures! The colours are amazing! Looks like your family had a wonderful time!
To John & to all my asian friends,
Gung Hay Fat Choy!!
P.S. I hope I spelled it right
Happy new year!
Beautiful photos - very interesting to see that, thanks for posting. It’s the year of the pig, right?
Amazing pictures! Looks like a lot of fun too. I love those dancing Dragons.
http://dinnerpics.blogspot.com
John,
You used to do the lion dance? Does that mean you learned some wushu too? Haha, nice pics, brings back some memories, haven’t visited Vancouver, Richmond area in a few years.
I read your post and found those nice photos really amzing celebration. I almost forgot that until I heared about the featival in news, but that was on th next day So itwas like I was the only one In my house to see it before it came on news. lol