Things to do for Chinese New Year 2013

Looking for things to do for this year’s Chinese New Year?

Here are some ideas: 

The Annual Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown on Feb. 17. It starts at 11am and boasts more than 3,000 participants. Get the parade route here.

Granville Island is joining in the festivities with a Year of the Snake procession on Sunday, Feb. 10 from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. It winds itself through the public market and surrounding areas.

To partake in some traditional Chinese games, demos of dumpling and noodle-making along with some arts and crafts for kids – check out the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver is a family-friendly festival on Feb. 17 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m).

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The Chinatown Spring Festival Cultural Fair at the Sun Yat-Sen Plaza (50 East Pender) will feature performances, a special lion dance grand finale, martial arts demos and more. It’s free and running Feb. 16 (1-4 p.m.) & 17 (2-4 p.m.).

The International Buddhist Temple in Richmond will be hosting Chinese New Year events on Feb. 6-10 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) which will include food, a gift fair and Chinese calligraphy demos.

The CIBC LunarFest  is a three-day lighted affair, which runs Feb. 15-17 around the Vancouver Art Gallery. You’ll be treated to lanterns, dumplings, and musical and dance performances.

The Queen Elizabeth Theatre hosts the Vancouver Spring Show to celebrate Chinese New Year which will showcase performers from the Cirque du Soleil, China and Canadian Idol.

To get a taste of traditional lion dancers head to Burnaby Heights to see Hastings Street be electrified with live music and dancers as they bring good luck and prosperity to local shops. Feb. 16 from 12 to 2 p.m.

The White Rock and South Surrey Chinese Society are coming together to host the HSBC 2013 Chinese Lunar New Year Gala-Golden Snake Dancing Night on Feb. 11 (Bell Performing Arts Centre in Surrey). The concert includes Chinese music director Jin Zhang, musicians, choirs and dance performances.