Vancouver’s Lunar New Year parade and other events to check out this weekend

A dragon dance is performed as people watch from above during the 50th annual Spring Festival Parade through Chinatown for the Lunar New Year in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. (Ethan Cairns / The Canadian Press)

The Year of the Horse officially began Tuesday, and celebrations will be in full swing in Vancouver this weekend. Whether you’re headed to Chinatown for the parade or staying away from the crowds, here are some events to check out.

Chinatown Spring Festival Parade

Dozens of marching groups—including dignitaries, community organizations, marching bands, lion and dragon dance teams, and more—will ring in the Lunar New Year with the annual Chinatown Spring Festival Parade Sunday.

The parade begins at the Millennium Gate on Pender Street at 11 a.m., winding its way along Pender Street to Gore Avenue before concluding at the intersection of Keefer and Carrall streets.

As many as 200,000 spectators are expected to line the streets for the 52nd annual event.

• Related: How three sisters honour mother’s legacy at Vancouver’s Lunar New Year parade

Lunar New Year at the Chinese Canadian Museum

Special Lunar New Year programming will be on at the Chinese Canadian Museum this Saturday and Sunday, with a variety of drop-in crafts, treats and cooking workshops planned.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Lunar New Year events are included in the price of admission, though there is an extra charge for cooking workshops.

A full schedule of events for both days can be found on the museum’s website.

Lunar New Year at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden

Vancouver’s classical Chinese garden is also celebrating the Year of the Horse this weekend, with arts and crafts, calligraphy, tea ceremonies and a variety of other programming on offer Saturday and Sunday.

Lunar New Year events are included with admission to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Festivities run from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Visit the garden’s website for a full schedule of events.

At the theatre

A dance festival, a Black History Month concert series and a classic opera are among the live performances happening around Metro Vancouver this weekend. More information about each performance can be found at the link provided.

• Matriarchs Uprising Festival: Through Sunday at the Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St. in Vancouver
• Ebony Roots concert: Touring various venues across B.C. through Feb. 27
• The Barber of Seville: Saturday through Feb. 28 at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Ave. in Burnaby
• Arts Club Theatre presents: The Golden Anniversaries: Touring various theatres around the Lower Mainland through March 27

Japan Market

Japan Market returns to UBC Robson Square this weekend, bringing with it more than 60 vendors featuring Japanese food, crafts and merchandise, as well as cultural performances and workshops.

Admission is $4 in advance and $5 at the door, and the market is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Got Craft Bits and Bobs Sale

Got Craft is holding a one-day market at the Heritage Hall on Main Street in Vancouver with the aim of helping vendors clear out their studios and closets while offering deep discounts to market-goers.

The Got Craft Bits and Bobs Sale runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and admission is $3.

Whitecaps home opener and more sports

The Vancouver Whitecaps will kick off their 2026 Major League Soccer season at B.C. Place this weekend with a visit from Real Salt Lake.

The ‘Caps will be looking to get back to MLS Cup after falling to Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in the 2025 final back in December. The season kicks off at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Elsewhere, the Vancouver Warriors host the Buffalo Bandits at Rogers Arena on Friday at 7 p.m., and the Vancouver Giants will host the Portland Winterhawks at the Langley Events Centre on Saturday, also at 7 p.m.