Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year and Spring Festival, is one of the most celebrated cultural events among Asian communities in Canada. The holiday marks the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar and is celebrated with cultural traditions, delicious food, and various community events. As Canada is home to a diverse population, Lunar New Year festivities vary by culture, but together, they bring together people of all backgrounds to celebrate the cultural heritage and traditions of the Asian diaspora.

When is Lunar New Year 2025?

January 29, 2025.

Origins and significance of Lunar New Year

The Lunar New Year is deeply rooted in Chinese tradition. The festival symbolizes the end of winter and the arrival of spring, representing renewal, prosperity, and the hope for a good harvest in the coming year. Each year is associated with one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, each bringing its unique symbolism and traits. For example, 2025 is the Year of the Snake, which represents wisdom, knowledge, intelligence, intuition and creativity. 

The Lunar New Year celebration spans a total of 15 days, with key activities such as cleaning the home to sweep away bad luck, family reunions, and making offerings to ancestors. The final day marks the culmination of Lunar New Year with the Lantern Festival. Cities and villages host lantern displays, and children carry lanterns adorned with riddles.

Spread across Asia

Over time, the Lunar New Year celebrations spread beyond China, as neighbouring countries like Vietnam, South Korea and Malaysia adapted the festival into their own traditions.

For example, 

• In Vietnam, the holiday is called Tết Nguyên Đán (Tết) and incorporates unique customs, such as displaying peach blossoms and preparing square sticky rice cakes (banh chung)
• In South Korea, the celebration, known as Seollal, includes honouring ancestors throughout a ritual called charye (memorial service) and playing folk games like yutnori (traditional board game)

Traditions and symbols

Red envelopes (hongbao or lai see)

A beloved custom, red envelopes filled with money are given to children and unmarried young adults. The amount typically includes even numbers, as odd numbers are associated with funerals. Red, the colour of luck and protection, symbolizes the wish for a prosperous and successful future. 

Lion and dragon dances

You may have seen these dances on the streets, performed to loud drumbeats and clashing cymbals. The lion dance, often seen in pairs, requires skilled performers who mimic the movements of a lion to bring good luck. The dragon dance, with its long, undulating body, is said to represent strength and fertility. 

Decorations

Red dominates the colour palette of Lunar New Year decor. Homes and businesses display red paper cuttings of various symbols, door couplets with poetic blessings, and red lanterns to invite prosperity. Many families also place citrus fruits and blooming flowers on their tables to symbolize growth and wealth. 

Fireworks and firecrackers

Traditionally used to scare away evil spirits and bad luck, fireworks create a fun atmosphere. In Canada, where large-scale fireworks for private use are prohibited, sparklers and confetti poppers are popular alternatives. 

Lunar New Year celebrations in Vancouver and Toronto

Vancouver

Vancouver is home to one of Canada’s largest Chinese populations, with Chinese-Canadians enumerating 19.38% of the Metro Vancouver area’s total population, according to the 2021 Canadian census. The Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Parade is one of the most anticipated events, with this year’s celebration happening on Sunday, February 2. The parade attracts thousands of spectators each year, featuring lion dances, dragon dances, martial arts performances, and colourful cultural displays. Community organizations often join in as well, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Local temples, such as the International Buddhist Temple in Richmond, host traditional ceremonies where visitors can offer incense and participate in prayers for prosperity and happiness. Businesses in Vancouver’s Chinatown and Richmond Centre often decorate their storefronts with red lanterns and festive banners, contributing to the city-wide celebratory spirit.

Toronto

Toronto’s Lunar New Year festivities mainly take place in Chinatown, where the district comes alive with red and gold decorations symbolizing good luck and prosperity. The Yee Hong Dragon Ball, organized by the Yee Hong Foundation, stands out as a premier charitable event celebrating the new year, and guests can enjoy fine dining, traditional dances, and auctions, with proceeds supporting senior care services.

Shopping centres, such as Pacific Mall, Scarborough Town Centre, Chartwell Shopping Centre, Eaton Centre and Sherway gardens also become bustling hubs during this season. Shoppers flock to purchase Lunar New Year essentials, from red envelopes and festive couplets to specialty sweets and fresh produce. Each shopping centre will have their own individual schedules for lion and dragon dances, so be sure to check out their respective websites. 

Sources: Smithsonian – Spring Festival, Lunar New Year, Chinatown Today – Chinatown Spring Parade, Destination Toronto – How to Celebrate Lunar New Year in Toronto