Year of the Horse at the Museum — Lunar New Year 2026

Celebrate the Year of the Horse with a weekend of culture, creativity, and family fun at the Chinese Canadian Museum in the heart of Chinatown. This special Lunar New Year program blends traditional treats, hands-on crafts, live performances, and cooking workshops — perfect for visitors of all ages.

📅 Dates: Saturday, February 21 & Sunday, February 22, 2026
📍 Location: 51 E Pender St, Vancouver
🎟 Cost: Free with museum admission
🍳 Cooking Workshops: $5 + GST (advance registration required)

🧧 All-Weekend Highlights

🍬 Treat Tasting: Tray of Togetherness (新年全盒)

Saturday & Sunday | 10 AM – 5 PM
Sample classic Lunar New Year candies and sweets while learning the symbolism behind the traditional “Tray of Togetherness,” a festive staple representing harmony and good fortune.

🎭 Saturday, February 21 Programs

🎧 Audio Play: Bun Fun New Year — Five Blessings Collective

• 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM (English)

• 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM (Cantonese)

A charming family-friendly audio play about Lunar New Year traditions, food, and togetherness — told through the adventures of bunny twins preparing for a festive feast.

✏️ Drop-in Craft: Pencil Ponies

11 AM – 4 PM
Make your own lucky horse-themed pencil topper to celebrate the zodiac animal of 2026.

🖼 Dream Factory Curator’s Tours

• 1:00 PM (English)

• 3:00 PM (Mandarin)
  Explore the museum’s Dream Factory exhibition through a guided cultural lens.

🐎 Sunday, February 22 Programs

🥗 Cooking Workshop: Prosperity Salad (Yu Sheng 撈起魚生)

• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

• 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Led by Chef Christopher Leow, this hands-on workshop explores the symbolism of the Southeast Asian Lunar New Year dish Yu Sheng, where participants toss ingredients together while sharing wishes for prosperity and luck.

🖌 Drop-in Workshop: Lunar New Year Couplets (揮春 / 春聯)

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Create your own red paper Spring Couplets using hand-carved lino blocks with auspicious phrases, guided by the Bagua Artist Association.

🖼 Dream Factory Curator’s Tours

• 1:00 PM (English)

• 3:00 PM (Mandarin)

🎉 Why Visit the Chinese Canadian Museum for Lunar New Year

• Family-friendly cultural activities and crafts

• Multilingual performances (English, Cantonese, Mandarin)

• Traditional food experiences with cultural storytelling

• A meaningful way to celebrate Lunar New Year in Vancouver’s historic Chinatown

Whether you’re tasting festive sweets, crafting lucky symbols, or tossing a prosperity salad, this museum celebration offers a warm, educational, and joyful Lunar New Year experience.