Lunar New Year parade closing major Vancouver roads this weekend
Attendees can catch the 1.3 km parade at 11 a.m. at the Millennium Gate on Pender Street (between Shanghai Alley and Taylor Street). The procession, featuring a wide array of cultural groups, will wind its way east along Pender Street and then turn south onto Gore Street.
The colourful parade will turn west onto Keefer Street and then disperse at the intersection of Keefer and Carrall. The entire event is estimated to take about three hours.
Blake Elliot/Shutterstock
Road closures will be in effect on Sunday, Feb. 22, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on sections of the following streets:
- Main Street
- Pender Street (East and West)
- Beatty Street
- Abbott Street
- Taylor Street
- Shanghai Alley
- Columbia Street
- Quebec Street
- Carrall Street
- Keefer Street and Keefer Place
- East Georgia Street
- Gore Avenue
“New this year is a lane closure between West Hastings and West Pender,” added Frank Huang of the Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver. “This change will lock in several businesses and residents, preventing them from exiting their buildings during the parade, as they have been able to do in previous years via Abbott Street.
“VPD will assist as much as possible in clearing vehicles. However, once the closure is in place, vehicles will no longer be able to exit the area.”
Parking restrictions in the area of the Lunar New Year parade will begin after 6 am.
Chinatown BIA
This year’s Lunar New Year parade will showcase dozens of cultural groups from various communities. Attendees can expect to see dance troupes, marching bands, martial arts performances, and traditional lion dance and dragon dance teams.
And with the Year of the Fire Horse officially galloping in, here are five fun ways to ring in the Lunar New Year.
From meaningful traditions to snack-filled festivities, it’s a great time to usher in the transition from winter to spring with plenty of energy and joy.
Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Celebration and Parade
When: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. (parade start), 2 to 4 p.m. (fair)
Where: Various locations throughout Chinatown
Cost: Free for parade and fair