If you’re looking for ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year either at home or in-person, then why not head over to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. They have so much on offer to celebrate the year of the Tiger, just take a look for yourself!
FEBRUARY 5TH AND 6TH
PLEASE NOTE: Our ability to accommodate walk-ups will depend on space and availability as we have limited capacity. We appreciate your understanding.
Festivities will continue on Saturday February 5th and Sunday February 6th, with live storytelling(12pm and 3pm both days), calligraphy demonstrations (Saturday 10:30am-11:45am / 12:30pm – 1:45pm and Sunday 10:30am / 11:45am) as well as family-friendly activities across multiple craft tables in a safe and inviting environment.
Weather permitting we are delighted to welcome City Opera Vancouver for a performance February 5th at 4:30pm as well.
Due to public demand we are adding another Lion Dance performance by Hon Hsing Athletic Club on Saturday, February 5th at 1:30pm!
Entry by donation (suggested $5)
Garden Hours: 10am to 5pm (last entry time at 4pm)
VIRTUAL EVENTS
We have partnered with some amazing artists and instructors to offer a wide range of free experiences! The Garden encourages you to participate and celebrate Chinese New Year with us!
Songs & Rhymes to Welcome the New Year
Join us and Eveline Yu next Saturday, January 29th at 11:30am for a fun session of songs and stories to welcome the New Year. Eveline Yu will be leading classic Chinese New Year songs such as 恭喜恭喜 (Gong Xi Gong Xi) and 財神到 (coi4 san4 dou3), as well as new songs she’s written for her music classes. She will also be reading a story about the Chinese zodiac animals.
Feel free to show off your New Year’s outfit (or wear anything red) as we celebrate together online!
All families are welcome, especially children from ages 2-8.
The session will be in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English.
Poetry to Welcome the New Year
Poetry enriches the soul, it nurtures our minds and connects our spirits.
Let’s bring in the Year of the Tiger with Vancouver Poet Laureate Fiona Tinwei Lam and a roster of amazing local poets on Sunday, January 30 for an hour of engaging poems about family, feasting, culture, ancestors, and home.
There will be time for discussion and sharing at the end.
Find our more info about the poets and event here.
CELEBRATE AT HOME
CRAFT KITS
It is said that a celebration is not a celebration without decorations!
You can build your own colourful Chinese New Year decorations with our Craft Kit, specially put together by our Education Team.
This Kit, includes:
- 1 Chinese Lantern Suncatcher
- 2 Spring Couplets
- 1 Simple New Year Lantern
- 2 Paper cuttings
- 2 Greetings cards
- plus 3 stickers and 2 colouring sheets
With instructions and tips!BUY CRAFT KITS
ONLINE LEARNING
Did you know that in 104 BC, during the Han dynasty, a fixed date on the traditional Chinese calendar was decided upon to mark the start of the year and since then, festivities and celebrations have been held on this day?
Visit our Online Learning page for a chance to have fun while learning more about the unique history, traditions and delicious food that embody this joyous celebration!ONLINE LEARNING WEBPAGE
STORYTELLING
Have you ever wondered why there are so many red decorations around at New Year and why it is such a noisy time of year?
Did you know we honour a different animal at New Year according to the Chinese Zodiac?
We have asked Keann to narrate The Story of Nian and The Great Race.
One day, the Jade Emperor, ruler of all gods within Chinese mythology, announced to all the animals on the planet that he will host a race. The first 12 to finish the race will be chosen to join him in the imperial palace…
A long long time ago there was a ferocious monster named “Nian” with sharp teeth and horns…
The story is now available on Youtube! You are welcome to share it, recreate it or get inspired and be a part of our upcoming Young Artists Art S
CELEBRATE IN SCHOOL
Carefully curated by our Educational Team, we have developed Chinese New Year Lesson Kits and Chinese New Year Props Kits to help you recreate all the excitement and joy this celebration is all about!
From teaching plans to decorations and crafts, your classroom will be bustling with creativity!CHINESE NEW YEAR FOR TEACHERS
CELEBRATE AT THE GARDEN
As the first Ming Dynasty-style garden-home built outside of China and located right in the heart of Chinatown, we are the perfect setting to learn about the traditions and stories of this exciting festival.BOOK A FIELD TRIP
