Watch for red to figure prominently as Lunar New Year arrives on January 29. In Chinese culture, red is associated with prosperity, luck, and happiness.
The Year of the Snake starts January 29, but the prep starts now
On January 29, Lunar New Year arrives and the Spring Festival begins. We've rounded up a few ways to enjoy the Spring Festival and help ensure that the Year of the Snake is your year.
1. Before it all begins, clean your home (and yourself)
Too early for spring cleaning? Not if you're celebrating Lunar New Year. At the top of the feng shui list are cleaning chores you should do prior to January 29:
- Opening all windows and doors for nine minutes (just turn down your home's heat while you're doing it)
- Sweeping and cleaning the front door area, checking for squeaks in the door and, while you're at it, checking to see if your door's weather stripping needs an upgrade.
- Decluttering your bedroom. Clutter, according to feng shui guidelines, erects barriers to the flow of energy in your home and creates heaviness.
- Decorating with citrus fruits. They're believed to bring good luck and happiness.
2. At the start of Lunar New Year, don't wash your fortunes away
That means no washing clothes for the first few days, and no showers, at least for the first day. That's why the cleanup starts before the Lunar New Year.
3. Attend a parade or other New Year's event
In its 51st anniversary of the event, the Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival celebration – set for Sunday, February 2 – is expected to draw as many as 10,000. Check out these parades and events in communities across B.C.
- Vancouver – Lunarfest Vancouver is a variety of events in January and February around Vancouver, including film screenings, artist talks, performance and other activities. One highlight is The Lantern City art display outside the Vancouver Art Gallery and at four other locations around the city.
- Vancouver – Taste of Chinatown, January 2 to February 2. The Vancouver Chinatown Foundation’s annual event includes culinary pop-ups, special tasting events and interactive family fun. The celebration winds up with the big Lunar New Year event ringing in the Year of the Snake.
- Vancouver – Lunar New Year Market, UBC Botanical Garden, January 25 and 26. Local makers, artists, crafters, and food trucks showcasing a variety of goods. For a small admission fee, attendees can enjoy all activities, including a photo booth, workshops, lion dances and a kung fu performance.
- Richmond – Kwantlen Polytechnical University (KPU) Lunar New Year 2025 festival, January 29, noon to 3 p.m. Lion dance, art workshops, bubble tea and waffle giveways, games and prizes.
- Prince George – Year of the Snake traditional Chinese meal, January 29, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., University of Northern BC Agora Dining Hall. UNBC students can use their Meal Plan or drop-in fee to sample pork dumplings, vegetarian spring rolls, beef and broccoli, and crunch Mandarin orange salad.
- Richmond – Silk Road Music, February 1. Celebration at Richmond’s Gateway Theatre blends traditions of Asian and non-Asian music for the Lunar New Year.
- Vancouver – Chinatown Spring Festival Parade, February 2. Starts at the Millennium Gate on Pender Street at 11 a.m. Celebration at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Surrey – Year of the Snake celebration, February 8, at the Museum of Surrey. Free event includes include live performances, dragon dance teaching, poetry performances, traditional and modern dance, tai chi performances, and storytelling.
- Nanaimo – 2025 Lunar New Year Gala, Beban Park Social Centre, February 1. Hosted by the Chinese Cultural Society, the event features an Asian-style buffet, music and dance.
- Victoria – Lunar New Year’s Parade and Blessing of Merchants, February 9 in Victoria’s Chinatown, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Kamloops – TRU Chinese New Year banquet, Thompson Rivers University, February 9 at Sandman Centre. Chinese buffet and student performances.
4. For the red envelope, get your crisp bills now
In the days leading up to Lunar New Year, there will be lineups at some banks as gift-givers exchange old bills for new, or take new bills out of the bank. The reason? A Lunar New Year tradition is to gift money to friends, family and acquaintances in small red envelopes, known as 紅包, hóngbāo. If you're planning to partake, here are a few best practices:
- Go with the red envelope, as red carries great fortune. White envelopes, FYI, are sometimes given at funerals.
- Try not to use old bills – the newer and crisper, the better.
- Steer clear of amounts that add up to a '4' in the mix – no $4, $40, $400, etc. Why the superstition? In Mandarin, four is pronounced “si,” which sounds very similar to the word for death, “死” (si). Always give and receive envelopes with both hands.
- Never open the envelope in the presence of the gift giver.
Learn more about the lucky red envelope in this Google Arts & Culture feature
5. Cook up something tasty with a small appliance
While you don't want to interrupt the flow of good energy, it's also a good idea to use it wisely. Here are a few go-to Lunar New Year recipes you can make with the likes of an Instant Pot (a pressure cooker) or an air fryer. Small appliances cook things quickly and can save up to 75% on energy costs compared to using your stove or oven.
年糕 (Nian gao)
This sweet, glutinous rice cake is a favourite year round, but is especially popular around New Year. This delicious treat can easily be whipped up in your Instant Pot, making it a quick way to save energy.
蘿蔔糕 (Lo bak go)
This savoury turnip cake is often enjoyed as a dim sum dish, and is a fan favourite during New Year's celebrations. Luckily, the steaming step can easily be done in your Instant Pot.
Bánh chung
Banh chung, a traditional rice cake made from sticky rice stuffed with beans, pork, and other ingredients, is often made by wrapping the rice in banana leaves, and steaming, sometimes for hours. Not only will you save energy by steaming in your Instant Pot, but you can cut down your cooking time significantly.
Thịt kho tàu
Made with pork belly and boiled eggs cooked in coconut water, Thit Kho is a deliciously tender and satisfying stew that is especially popular for New Year's celebrations. Instant Pot stews are always a hit, which is why making the switch to Instant Pot Thit Kho is an easy decision.
春卷 (chūn juǎn)
Spring rolls (chūn juǎn) are one of the most well-known dishes in Chinese cuisine, and are most familiar in their crispy, deep-fried form. With limitless options for the filling, this dish is a great option for omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans alike. Put away the oil, and save on time and electricity with this air fryer 春卷 recipe.
6. Join Nisga'a Nation to celebrate Hoobiyee, February 28 and March 1
Timed with the arrival of the first crescent moon in February or March, Hoobiyee is the Nisga'a Nation New Year celebration.
Depending on the position of the moon, the new year will be read by the Nisga'a in different ways:
- If the crescent moon's edges point upward, it foretells an abundant year of salmon, oolichan, berries and other foods. It's based on the timing of the end of winter and the emergence of oolichan (eulachon), an oily fish – known as Saak – central to Nisga'a culture. It has been harvested and processed since before recorded time, mainly on the banks of Ḵ'alii-Aksim Lisims (Nass River) at Fishery Bay in northwestern B.C.
- If a star is sitting in the centre of the crescent moon ("ii luu-t'aahl bil̓ist ahl ts'im hoobix"), it's also a sign of abundance for the Nisga'a.
- A sideways Hoobiyee moon without a star sitting in it can be seen as a harbinger of a poor year for resources.
Hoobiyee is celebrated in B.C.'s Nisga'a communities and also in Vancouver, where there is a significant Nisga'a population. Check here for information about events taking place in Vancouver.