Garden Tea Festival 2025 at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver

📍 Location: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, 578 Carrall Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K2
📅 Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
🎟 Admission: $12 (or $15 including a small teacup)
🌐 Tickets: Get tickets on Eventbrite
💰 Refund Policy: Refunds available up to 7 days before the event

Sip, Learn, and Connect at Vancouver’s Most Cultural Tea Celebration

Join fellow tea lovers at the 2025 Garden Tea Festival: Tea for All, hosted at the beautiful Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden on Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. This immersive event invites you to explore the world of tea in a serene, heritage setting in the heart of Vancouver's Chinatown.

Following the success of the 2024 festival, this year's theme "Tea for All" reinforces the Garden’s mission to foster cross-cultural understanding and inclusivity through the universal language of tea.

Whether you're a seasoned tea connoisseur or just starting to explore, this one-day festival offers a welcoming space to discover traditional and modern tea cultures from around the world.

🍵 Highlights of the Festival

• All-Day Chinese Tea Ceremony – Experience the grace and tranquillity of traditional tea preparation

• Teas from Local Vendors – Sample artisan teas and purchase tea-related products from small businesses

• Tea Snacks – Enjoy Chinese tea pastries, Japanese matcha delights, and gourmet cookies

• Incense Ceremony – Discover agarwood appreciation in a relaxing, sensory journey

• Calligraphy Demonstration – Watch artists at work and interact with traditional Chinese writing

• Asian Music Performances – Enjoy Guzheng and other instruments played by BC Chinese Music Association’s young talents

• Hanfu Try-On Experience – Step into history with traditional Chinese clothing from SiruPlum Culture Studio

• Photo Booth – Capture the elegance of a ceremonial tea setup

🎓 Workshops Included with Admission

All festival workshops are free with your ticket. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from world-renowned tea experts:

🗝 Keynote: Kevin Gascoyne (Camellia Sinensis, Montreal)

A leading figure in the global tea scene, Kevin has over 30 years of experience sourcing tea in Asia and co-authored the award-winning book TEA: History, Terroir, Varieties. His session will explore global tea terroirs and industry trends.

🍵 Japanese Foam Tea

Presented by a Japanese tea expert from O5 Tea, this workshop uncovers the nearly forgotten technique of Japanese foam tea – a ritualistic and rare form of matcha preparation.

☕ Tea vs. Coffee: A Yunnan Perspective

Tea artist Jeff leads a unique comparative tasting of Yunnan tea vs. Yunnan coffee, highlighting the emerging coffee culture in one of China’s oldest tea-producing regions.

🇯🇵 Japanese Tea 101

Perfect for beginners, this session explores the basics of Japanese tea, including sencha, matcha, and brewing techniques.

🇨🇳 Traditional Chinese Tea

An introduction to the fundamentals of Chinese tea brewing and etiquette, suitable for all levels.

🫖 Tickets & Teacup Policy

• Standard Admission: $12

• Tea Lover’s Deal: $15 (includes a small teacup)
  To enjoy tastings, guests must bring or purchase a small teacup (under 40ml).

🎟 Tickets available now at:
👉 Eventbrite – Tea for All 2025

🌿 A Cultural Celebration in a Living Museum

Located in Vancouver’s historic Chinatown, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a cultural landmark and sanctuary designed in the classical Ming Dynasty style. This festival aligns with the Garden’s mission to create opportunities for meaningful cross-cultural dialogue through arts, education, and community events.