Feeling Lucky: 6 Ways to Celebrate the 2026 Lunar New Year in Greater Vancouver

The Lunar New Year begins on February 17, marking the start of the Year of the Horse. Whether you’re carrying on traditions or curious to learn more about the celebration, there are plenty of festivities happening in Metro Vancouver to commemorate the occasion.

Metropolis at Metrotown, known as the Met, has hung its red lanterns ahead of hosting Lunar New Year festivities all month long that the whole family will enjoy. Starting on February 2, B.C.’s biggest shopping centre (home to more than 330 stores) will have a lineup of immersive cultural exhibitions, exciting performances, hands-on creative activities and much more. With free parking and access to the Skytrain, the Met is accessible for Vancouverites and beyond to come celebrate the season.

The Met is also giving back this Lunar New Year. Shoppers who spend $200 after February 18 can receive a $20 gift card to the shopping centre, plus a commemorative horse plush (while supplies last). The Met will donate $5 to the Chinatown Storytelling Centre in downtown Vancouver for every redemption.

Here are six lucky ways to join the Lunar New Year festivities at the Met.

1. Build Your Luck at the Lunar New Year LEGO® Play Pop-Up Activation

New to the Met for 2026, find luck with your imagination at the Lunar New Year with LEGO® Play Pop-up. For five days, wander through colourful displays and marvel at the life-sized LEGO® lion. Build your own good luck creation to take home with the free-build activities for all ages.

Saturday, February 7 – Wednesday, February 11
Shopping centre hours

2. Vitality: An Exhibition by the Chinatown Storytelling Centre

Vitality, an immersive exhibition presented by the Chinatown Storytelling Centre, is also new to the Met this year. This installation brings Lunar New Year celebrations to life through imagery and stories exploring the holiday’s history and cultural significance. Visitors can also watch live calligraphy demonstrations on select dates.

Monday, February 2 – Tuesday, March 3
Shopping centre hours

3. Lunar New Year Arts and Crafts

Get creative with hands-on arts and crafts inspired by the season. Activities for all ages include drawing, colouring, and fortune cookie making.

Saturday, February 14 – Sunday, February 15
12 – 4 p.m.

4. Share a Moment with the God of Fortune

The God of Fortune will be roaming the Met, spreading prosperity for the new year. Lucky guests who receive a red pocket might just get a special food offer from participating retailers in the shopping centre.

Tuesday, February 17 & Saturday, February 21
12 – 4 p.m.

5. Lion Dance Performance and Storytelling

The vibrant lion dance tradition springs to life in a performance on Saturday, February 21. Watch the lion leap to the beat of the pounding drums, and after the performance, learn the basics in a lesson led by Bak Mei Vancouver Kung Fu & Lion Dance.

Saturday, February 21
Performance at 10 a.m.
Lion dance lessons at 10:30 a.m.

6. Dumpling Eating Contest and Live Performances

The celebrations culminate on Sunday, February 22, with an afternoon of movement, music and flavour. Catch the Chaoyin Kids Dragon Dance walk from noon until 1 p.m., learn Shaolin Kung Fu in one of the two 30-minute sessions at 1 or 4 p.m., and witness a showcase of traditional Asian dance styles in the Colours of Dance at 2:30 p.m. Hungry for more? Challenge yourself in the dumpling eating contest at 1:45 p.m., ending the festivities in a true feast for the senses.

Sunday, February 22
Various times from 12 – 3:30 p.m.

Learn more at metropolisatmetrotown.com/lunar-new-year-at-the-met.

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