Photo: Vancouver Chinatown BIA
Head to the 22nd annual Vancouver Chinatown Festival (VCF), a free, two-day community event for families and organized by the Vancouver Chinatown BIA, when it takes over Keefer and Columbia Street from July 13-14. Expect a culturally rich experience full of all-ages entertainment, Chinese artists, local vendors, delicious food, and cultural learning.
Returning to the festival are live performances on the Main Stage, a Kids Zone, Artisans Market, and food trucks. New this year are the Cultural Zone and special Children’s Theatre with performances tailored just for kids.
Festival Attractions
Photo: Vancouver Chinatown BIA
VCF is building on last year’s success while continuing to highlight Chinatown’s inclusive and resilient spirit. There will be another great lineup of diverse programming for this year’s festival-goers.
- Live Performances – cultural dances, music orchestra, Science World stage show, taiko drumming, tap dancing, marching band, and musical performances
- Artisans Market – special gifts and crafts from different cultures and 23 talented local makers and food vendors
- Children’s Theatre – lion dance demonstrations and performances, fairytale sing-alongs, superhero training sessions, and magic shows
- Kids Zone – lion dance interactive workshop, carnival games, face painting, balloon twisting, t-shirt painting, and various outdoor games
- Cultural Zone – mahjong games, paper lantern making, lucky red envelopes, hand-fan crafting, calligraphy, and Asian body massages by VanSpine Pain Treatment
- Guided Tours – A Wok Around tour led by guide Robert Sung through the historic neighbourhood, exploring unique shops, and specialty offerings from local merchants
- Extras – Translink Community Bus, special meet and greet with Chinatown mascot VanVan the Panda, social media activities, and more
Live Entertainment
VanVan the Panda, Photo: Vancouver Chinatown BIA
On the Main Stage, expect an entertaining opening ceremony on Saturday at noon, featuring a special lion dance by Shao Lin Hung Gar Kung Fu Association; dance performances by the Vancouver Academy of Dance, Sudnya Dance Academy, Paul Latta Dancers & Co., and Heart and Sole (tap dancers); Japanese drumming by Chibi Taiko; and music by the BC Chinese Chamber Ensemble, Vancouver Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, The Madison Reunion, BC Regiment Band, and marimba ensemble Muévete.
Watch Fluffy & Friends Lion Dance, a group dedicated to breaking down barriers while spreading lion joy through dance, storytelling, and interactive performances, at the Children’s Theatre. Visit the Kids Zone for magic shows by Blake Aleong.
Support Chinatown
Millennium Gate, Photo: Rick Chung/YVArcade
VCF expects to attract tens of thousands of visitors to Chinatown’s vibrant community. The event aims to celebrate the diversity of its community and showcase the area as an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient neighbourhood. It’s grown into a highly anticipated summer signature event for both locals and visitors.
Festival-goers are encouraged to support local Chinatown restaurants, cafés, and shops. For quick bites, several food trucks will be stationed by the Main Stage at the festival, including It’s All About Grill, Juicy Green Express, Kona Ice of Chilliwack, MJ’s Caribbean Cuisine, Munchu Picchu, Roasted Revolution, Slothfuls, Taco Tigre, and Taco Nori, Takenaka, and more.
Other local businesses and vendors on-site for the festival include West Coast Bannock, Japanese donuts by Mochido, artwork by Doodles by Naomi, Mosaic Motif handmade jewelry, candles from Ollie & Co., Ember Hong Kong Barbeque, dumplings by Jingle Bao, and Steve’s Smoked Meats.