Now in its 24th year, the annual BMO Vancouver Chinatown Festival is making a grand comeback this July. The celebrated family-friendly tradition takes over Vancouver’s historic Chinatown with delicious food vendors, multicultural performances, and tons of activations on Keefer and Columbia Streets.
This year, the free event spans two days and will feature an expanded Children’s Theatre as well as introduce a handful of new live performances.
For one, the Sichuan Face-Changing Performances (“Bian Nian”) will take place in front of the Main Stage, celebrating an ancient art form rooted in Sichuan Opera with striking mask transformations.
“The Vancouver Chinatown Festival is a lively, vibrant cultural celebration for visitors of every generation,” shares Joey Kwan, executive director of VCBIA. “Whether you’ve been coming for years or it’s your first time, we just want you to show up and support Chinatown, have a great time, and feel the magic of our amazing community.”
The fun kicks off with a Grand Opening Ceremony and Lion Dance on Saturday, July 25, with dozens of musical and cultural performances slated for both Saturday and Sunday, July 26.
Highlighted performers this year include traditional and modern Chinese music by the B.C. Chinese Chamber Ensemble (BCCCE), Vancouver Okinawa Taiko, the George Nie Jazz Duo, the UBC Thunderbird Marching Band, the Canto Lounge Trio, and much more.
In terms of dance, visitors can look forward to Chinese cultural dances presented by Colours of Dance Academy and Crystal Arts Academy, traditional Filipino dances presented by Anahaw Filipino Canadian Performing Arts Society, and K-pop-inspired performances by Hidden Gem Dance Studio, to name just a few.
As a fun bonus, festival attendees will have the chance to win four tickets to see Cirque du Soleil by participating in Main Stage performance activities.
The expanded Children’s Theatre will have fun for all ages, including the return of the Lion Dance and Drumming with Fluffy & Friends.
There will also be free interactive workshops of all kinds, face painting, balloons, T-shirt painting, origami, and carnival games throughout both days.
The festival’s Cultural Zone will once again spotlight Vancouver Chinatown walking tours, Chinese painting and calligraphy demonstrations, paper lantern and fan-making, mini massages, and the popular giant Mahjong.
And once you’re ready to roam around, you’ll find a whole host of local makers and food vendors along Keefer Street.
If you’ve check out the festival and want to explore more of the neighbourhood, you can participate in the festival’s “Where’s Van Van the Panda?” scavenger hunt, which takes participants to secret locations (as clued by the Vancouver Chinatown BIA’s Instagram page) for the chance to earn free admission to one of three iconic Chinatown attractions: the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, the Chinese Canadian Museum, and the Chinatown Storytelling Centre.
If Chinatown has been on your list of places to spend more intentional time this summer, this is a great opportunity to engage with the community.
When: Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26, 2026
Time: TBA
Where: Keefer and Columbia Streets in Chinatown
Cost: Free admission
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