Events
 Current events in Chinatown
 Chinatown sounds like it would be the place where most Vancouver residents of Chinese descent live. That is certainly not true today, but it was in the 1880s when the swampy fringe of False Creek around the intersection of Carrall and Pender Streets became known as Chinatown. Chinatown is one of the city's earliest commercial and residential districts, containing a remarkable collection of buildings from Vancouver's boom years at the turn of the last century. This tour will introduce you to the architecture and history of the neighbourhood.
Chinatown hosts four main annual community events. There are many other performances, demonstrations, parades and festivals throughout the year. Bookmark this page and check it frequently for current dates and times.
Chinatown Night Market (May 18 - Sept 9, 2007)
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 6:30 - 11:00 p.m.
100 & 200 block of Keefer Street (between Gore, Main & Columbia Street
Info (incl. if you want to sell): 604.682.8998,
Styled after Asian marketplaces where shopping is personal, local and bartering is the name of the game, the Chinatown Night Market is one of Vancouver’s summer highlights. Stalls and tables set up on Keefer Street are loaded with bargain-priced merchandise, including CDs, garments, novelties, watches, food and accessories. Enjoy horse-carriage rides on Fridays, entertainment shows on Saturdays, and family fun and games on Sundays.
The Family
Fun Web site shares a story with photos about a family visiting the Chinatown esponds to the Chinese Lunar Calendar.
Event Schedule
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Chinatown Arts & Cultural Festival: Bringing the World to the Heart of Chinatown (July 7, 14, 21, & 28)
Sun Yat-Sen Park Courtyard (50 East Pender Street)
Info: 604.658.8850
Diverse cultural showcases on the open stage from China, South Asia (India & Middle East), First Nations, Japan. Live performances, music & dance, artisan marketplace, food tastings, kids' crafts.
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Chinatown Festival (August 11-12, 2007)
500-block Columbia Street (between Pender and Keefer)
Info: 604.632.3808
Chinatown's largest day-time summer event. Last year, over 38,000 people including local residents and tourists basked in the series of mesmerizing performances and fascinating activities. Highlights include a Chinatown heritage and cuisine walking tour, traditional Chinese folk art, live demonstrations by artists from China, the popular Chinatown Youth Talent Showdown, stage performances, children's games and activities. Everyone is invited to the food tasting zone, arts and crafts sidewalk sale, community open houses, and the Chinatown Night Market. Free admission. Highlights include the Youth Talent Showdown.
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Mid-Autumn Moon Festival (Sunday, September/October, 2007)
Featuring music, demonstrations, exhibitions, tea ceremony, and mooncake sampling to celebrate the harvest and family togetherness. Everyone welcome. Donations appreciated.
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Winter Solstice Lantern Procession (Wednesday, December, 2007)
Marking the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Celebrate "dong zhi," the arrival of winter with hundreds of handmade lanterns, lights, dragons, and music from 7:00 - 9:00pm. Free event, but donations appreciated. An event partnership with the Secret Lantern Society.
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Chinese New Year Parade (Sunday, January - February , 2008)
Held on the first Sunday of the Chinese (Lunar) New Year. Celebrating the arrival of spring and the Year of the Rooster with thousands at the biggest parade through Chinatown, lions, storytelling and crafts, lucky red packets and much more for the whole family from 10:00am - 4:30pm. Everyone welcome. Donations appreciated.
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Asian Heritage Month (May, 2008)
A wide variety of entertainment, demonstrations and exhibitions occur throughout Chinatown in celebration of Asian Heritage Month. For more information http://www.explorasian.org/
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Alcan Dragon Boat Festival (June 21-22, 2008)
False Creek comes alive as international paddler teams come to Vancouver for the annual competition.
Special events by the City of Vancouver and Chinatown Next (formerly VCRC Youth):
Dodgeball Tournament (December 10, 2006)
Chinese Cultural Centre Gym
Chinatown DodgeBall Tournament (Saturday, May 20, 2006)
Come and enjoy a friendly game of dodgeball at the Chinese Cultural Centre. Meet at 12pm (50 East Pender Street) inside the Multi-Purpose Hall. After the game, relax at the Chinatown Night Market's opening weekend.
 
Download VCRC Youth press release (PDF, 289 KB) Streetfest 2004
Saturday, September 3, 2004, starts at dusk:
Flick Down in Chinatown 2: outdoor screening
Download photo of first Flick Down in Chinatown, July 30 (JPG, 119 KB), Photo of audience (JPG, 164 KB)
Download photo of August 2004 Streetfest (JPG, 133 KB)
Flick Down in Chinatown 3: September 1st, 2006 dusk
Chinatown Next is partnering with the Vancouver Asian Film Festival to host a free movie night. Movie submission from the Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon will be shown right in the heart of Chinatown. It's a marathon because these movies were made in just 7 days!! This is a must see with your friends and family so come on down to Chinatown. Free air and free movies! What can be better than that!!!
2004 photo of first Flick Down in Chinatown, Photo of audience
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Bike to Chinatown Day (June)
Download photos from 2004 Bike to Chinatown Day (JPG, 1.41 MB)
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Upcoming Chinatown Next Meetings
- August, 2007 (tentative) 8pm Congee House/Kirin Sushi
Chinatown Next newsletter....
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