COMMUNITIES across Vancouver will welcome the Lunar New Year with vibrant celebrations, cultural traditions and festive gatherings to usher in the Year of the Horse. Residents and visitors alike are invited to take part in one of the city’s most anticipated events — the 52nd Annual Chinatown Spring Festival Parade — taking place on February 22 in Vancouver’s historic Chinatown.
“As our city comes together to celebrate the Lunar New Year and welcome the Year of the Horse, we honour the traditions and communities that make this season so meaningful across Vancouver,” said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim. “The Chinatown Spring Festival Parade is a cherished tradition that reflects the neighbourhood’s history, cultural leadership and community spirit, and I encourage everyone to experience the joy and connection it brings.”
The Chinatown Spring Festival Parade is one of many annual events that contribute to the neighbourhood’s cultural vibrancy and economic vitality. In June 2024, Vancouver City Council approved the Chinatown Cultural District Framework, which guides the City’s ongoing efforts to support revitalization, economic growth and community development in Chinatown.
To help ensure the parade operates as smoothly as possible, attendees are encouraged to:
- Walk, bike, roll or take transit whenever possible.
- Stay informed of road closures.
- Put waste in its place: dispose of waste in the nearest garbage, recycling or organics bin. Additional waste bins will be added for the events.
- Be considerate of the neighbourhood and keep noise to a minimum when leaving.
Public safety continues to be the City’s top priority. To support an enjoyable experience for everyone, the City is working closely with its partners, including the Vancouver Police Department and Vancouver Fire Rescue Services.
The parade begins at 11 a.m. on Sunday, February 22 and will last approximately three hours. It will start at the Millennium Gate (West Pender Street and Taylor Street), proceeding along East Pender Street, Gore Street, and concluding at the intersection of Keefer Street and Carrall Street. The parade covers a distance of 1.3 kilometres.
View a map of the parade route.
To accommodate the parade, road closures will be in effect on Sunday, February 22 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on sections of the following streets:
- Main Street
- Pender Street (East and West)
- Beatty Street
- Abbott Street
- Taylor Street
- Shanghai Alley
- Columbia Street
- Quebec Street
- Carrall Street
- Keefer Street
- Keefer Place
- Gore Avenue
- East Georgia Street
If you are travelling in and around the event areas:
- Plan ahead and expect delays.
- Follow all detours and abide by no parking signs.
- Learn more about road closures across the city.
- Follow #VanTraffic or use the City’s traffic cameras to check traffic conditions along your commute.
- Visit TransLink alerts for changes or disruptions to your bus service.
For more information on the Chinatown Spring Festival Parade, visit the event organizer’s website.
