Toronto’s best-known Lunar New Year celebration festival is back this year, welcoming in the Year of the Snake for the entire first week of February.
Dragons are out, and it’s all about the snake this year. And the Chinatown BIA is gearing up for yet another year of vibrant celebrations to welcome in a year that’s said to bring wisdom, vitality and transformation.
Celebrated annually by and in pan-Asian communities across the world, the date of Lunar New Year changes year to year, but this year it’s taking place on Wednesday, Jan. 29 — and on the following weekend, Toronto’s own Chinatown will come to life with one of the most lively celebrations of the year.
Taking place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1 and Sunday, Feb. 2, the festival takes place at Dragon City Mall and the Chinatown Centre, with two days packed to the brim with lively programming.
It goes without saying that the traditional Lion Dance is a staple at Lunar New Year celebrations around the world, and you’ll be able to see some seriously impressive displays at the festival, but that’s not all.
You’ll also get the chance to watch magic and Sichuan face changing shows, belly dancing, live music and Kung Fu performances, on top of vendor booths selling Chinese arts and crafts.
And, hey, while you’re at it, why not swing by any of Chinatown’s bounty of great restaurants to cap off your celebrations?
While the Chinatown festival tends to be the apex of Lunar New Year celebrations in Toronto, it’s far from the only thing you can do to ring in the Year of the Snake.
Brand new this year, the Toronto Spring Festival introduced a fireworks show, which takes place on Jan. 25 at Nathan Philips Square and features a vendor market, food trucks and live entertainment, stretching out the celebrations for an entire week.
On top of that, you’ll find dazzling celebrations taking place at malls like the Eaton Centre and Bayview Village as well as at cafes and restaurants such as Cafe Our Hours and Forbidden City.
The Chinatown BIA has yet to release the specific schedule of events, so stay tuned to their website and social media for more details in the days leading up.
The Chinatown Centre is located at 222 Spadina Ave., and Dragon City Mall at 280 Spadina Ave.
