FROM September 5 to 6, thousands of people gathered in Burnaby to celebrate the first ever Kimchi and Korean Food Festival—a vibrant, two-day showcase of Korean culture, cuisine, and heritage.

Festival-goers enjoyed a fully immersive cultural experience, featuring kimchi-making workshops, authentic Korean street food, K-beauty demonstrations, and dynamic K-pop dance performances. The event brought together families, food enthusiasts, and cultural supporters from across the region, offering something for everyone.

As part of the celebration, BC NDP MLAs Jennifer Blatherwick (Coquitlam-Maillardville), Paul Choi (Burnaby South-Metrotown), Rohini Arora (Burnaby East), and Jennifer Whiteside (New Westminster) joined the festivities to honour the Korean Canadian community’s contributions to British Columbia.

The MLAs formally presented a Proclamation from the Province of British Columbia, declaring November 22, 2025, as “Kimchi Day”—recognizing the enduring cultural significance of kimchi and the rich Korean heritage embedded within communities across B.C. Kimchi Day is not only a celebration of one of Korea’s most iconic dishes—it’s a celebration of the Korean Canadian community and its lasting impact on British Columbia.

The event underscored the growing appreciation of Korean culture throughout the province and highlighted the importance of cultural festivals in promoting diversity, inclusion, and community pride.