Photo credit: Pure Travel

This year Lunar New Year falls on February 10 and while sometimes called Chinese New Year it is a major holiday celebrated by many Asian families around the world including Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tibetan, Taiwanese and Japanese families.  Below is some great information  to share with the kids and family activities for the celebration in Vancouver.

According to the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project families celebrate by focusing on good and dismissing old grudges. To prepare for the new year families perform annual traditions and come together with a fresh outlook for the New Year.

• Homes are cleaned sweeping away ill fortune making way for incoming good luck. People pay debts, cut their hair, buy new clothes for the holiday.
• Doors and windows are decorated with red paper cut-outs with themes of happiness, wealth and longevity.
• Incense is burned in homes and temples paying respect to ancestors asking for good health in the new year.

In the Chinese Zodiac this is the Year of the Snake where people born this year are thought to be wise.  What sign are you? Look up your birth year is to see if your personality matches the Chinese Zodiac and find your lucky numbers.

If you’d like to wish someone Happy New Year in Cantonese say “Gong [Gung] Hei [how] Fat Choi [choy]” and in Mandarin say “Xin [sing] Nian [nee-an] Kuai [kwai] Le [ler].”

The night before the new year begins families host family dinners and end the night with firecrackers.  The next morning children wish their parents a Happy New Year and are given red envelopes with money.

Vancouver, BC is a melting pot of Asian cultures and we are very fortunate to have a selection of Lunar New Year Celebrations in town. Our school holds a great assembly celebrating the holiday and the children are given red envelopes with chocolate coins.

Our school sent a list of activities families can enjoy in Vancouver, many cities in North America will hold similar activities so check out your local area for some fun cultural activities for your family.  PragmaticMom.com has a great teacher unit on China with great resources and ideas to learn about the Chinese culture.

Vancouver Lunar New Year / Chinese New Year family friendly activities:

Jan 31 to Feb 3, 2013 Year of the Snake Asian Expo 2013 at BC Place will offer multicultural food, games, shopping, entertainment, streets of cherry blossom trees, and 20 feet tall bamboos with lanterns.

Feb 6 to Feb 11, 2013
Chinese New Year Fair at Aberdeen Centre in Richmond, BC  Includes countdown Night 8:30pm to 12:30am, Golden Dragon & Lion Dance and Cultural Spectacular.

Feb 8 – Feb 10, 2013
Year of the Snake Celebration at International Village in Vancouver featuring a kid zone, hourly performances, market booths and hourly Lucky Draws.

Feb 15 – 17, 2013
Come explore the CIBC LunarFest Lantern Jungle at Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza.  Started in 2009 this year features a jungle theme.

Feb 17, 2013  from 10am to 4pm Temple Fair at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden – Chinatown,Vancouver – Stroll through the beautiful buildings and gardens admiring the New Year decorations.  Great stopping off point after the Parade.

Feb 17, 2013 from 12pm to 4pm Chinese New Year Parade – Chinatown, Vancouver
along Pender and Keefer Streets.  Get ready for the firecrackers in the thick of the parade.  Lots of fun to see the dragons and vibrant decorations.

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