LunarFest Community Celebrations
LunarFest Community Celebrations
Ocean Artworks, Granville Island
Programming Every Weekend (Friday to Sunday)
Celebrate the Lunar New Year like no other with LunarFest!
It’s the Year of the Rabbit, so we are following the curious creatures into a new year full of creativity and fun. Join us on Granville Island every weekend for free, family-friendly workshops from the diverse communities of Vancouver. Share stories through arts and crafts, music, food, and more.
Let’s hop forwards together into the Year to Imagine!
Check our workshops schedule for more details.
Be inspired to make art and sing while surrounded by the colours of Formosa and songs and stories inspired by new year traditions and the beauty of the land. Bring your creativity and share your story with us!
Ginalina is a singer-songwriter from Vancouver, the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples: Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, and Musqueam Nations. Masaw is an urban Indigenous singer-songwriter from the island of Taiwan.
Taking place within the Colours of Formosa exhibit at Ocean Artworks (Granville Island).
Welcome to the new year with energetic, dynamic and colorful performances of Eisa drum-dancing!
Vancouver Okinawa Taiko showcases Okinawan cultural heritage.
Vancouver Okinawa Taiko has been performing in numerous festivals, charity functions and anniversary events for just about two decades. The group’s aim is to promote and preserve Okinawan style drum-dancing Eisa, and to share Okinawan cultural heritage. The membership consists of a mixed generation to reflect the presentation of grassroots folk art. We hope to deliver the Okinawan spirit through the beat of our drums and harmonies of our dance.
Celebrate, create and share in culture.
We will be creating traditional and contemporary northwest coast form line style lanterns designed by Indigenous artist Christine Mackenzie. There will be designs with a variety of traditional animals along the north west coast to share and celebrate culture. Each animal will have an element of Mother Earth and Father sky.
Imagine with us and light up the Lunar New Year with arts and culture!
LunarFest is happy to have Vancouver International Children’s Festival’s support in bringing this program to you this year.
Jan 21 15:00 - 16:00
Jan 22 13:00 - 14:00
DIY with Persimmon Dye!
Nature is full of colours and creativity. Using persimmon dye from Xinpu Township, Taiwan—dubbed the Town of Persimmons—we’ll learn about how to make art out of the natural world around us.
Persimmons are considered lucky, and often eaten during the Lunar New Year. The bright orange is the colour of good fortune. Let’s be curious like rabbits and discover more colours around us!
**Workshop participation by donation.
Jan 21 11:00 - 16:00
Jan 22 11:00 - 16:00
Taiwan is a subtropical island country in East Asia. There are many mountains but few plains; combined with a warm and humid oceanic climate, the island is an ecological paradise for animals and plants. This means a variety of excellent materials for crafts, including rich fiber matter and plant dyes. Masters of the craft wield creativity in their hands, turning the colours of nature into beautiful handmade crafts for the public to enjoy.
The artists in this exhibition hope to convey the concept of environmental protection and reusable resources. All the colours in this exhibition come from the land of Taiwan. We hope that visitors can take a leisurely tour and feel the charming colours produced by Taiwanese artists in a long-term dialogue with nature. We wish everyone a future full of colour!
Food is an important part of Lunar New Year celebrations. Food is how we share love with family and friends!
Learn the traditional LNY dishes of different Asian cultures in this interactive live demo. Featuring Korean tteokguk, Japanese niku-dango, Vietnamese Bánh Ít Trần, and Hong Kong radish cakes.
Afterwards, treat yourself to a special ricecake bento box! Share with us stories of your favourite Lunar New Year eats.
** Bento box quantities limited; registration required.
Jan 22 11:30 - 12:00 | 14:00 - 14:30
Learn how The Lantern City highlights Vancouver as the city where diversity shines!
A free talk by the curators of the beautiful lanterns exhibit lighting up the city in three different locations. Listen to the stories behind each lantern artwork and the connections that tie them all together.
Bunny has a dream of becoming a magician.
Along the way, she meets helpful friends, Frog and Mr. Bat. Will they succeed in making Bunny’s dream come true?
It’s the Year of the Rabbit, and we love how they hop, hop, hop forwards with energy! Let’s ignite our curiosity and follow Bunny on her fantastic adventure. Where will they go? Will her dream come true? You decide!
Every one of us has a Bunny in our heart. Using coloured pens and paper, let’s bring that Bunny to life!
Jan 28 14:00 - 15:00
The pussy willow is a must-have for Lunar New Year: a signal to the rest of the world and all the other flora and trees that it’s time to wake up. Pussy willow wreaths can also symbolize the celebration of motherhood, recovery, growth, receiving a blessing, and the coming of prosperity.
Create your own pussy willow wreath through this guided workshop, bringing to life your own symbol of the new year – one that will last for many years to come!
Materials: Each participant will receive a willow wreath base, a bundle of fresh pussy willows, and wire.
Cost: $30.00
Jan 29 13:30 - 15:00
Get ready to move, shake and let loose! Learn to dance like nobody’s watching as Alyssa Amarshi and Rosie Richard help you find your own groove through the influences of the dance cultures of Hip Hop, Dancehall, Waacking, and Experimental Movement!
Explore how to access your self-expression in these open level classes where all are welcome. Whether this is your first or millionth time dancing, this class is the perfect opportunity to let go, move to the rhythms and connect to your body.
LunarFest is happy to have Vancouver International Children’s Festival’s support in bringing this program to you this year.
Jan 28 11:00 - 16:00
Jan 29 11:00 - 16:00
Taiwan is a subtropical island country in East Asia. There are many mountains but few plains; combined with a warm and humid oceanic climate, the island is an ecological paradise for animals and plants. This means a variety of excellent materials for crafts, including rich fiber matter and plant dyes. Masters of the craft wield creativity in their hands, turning the colours of nature into beautiful handmade crafts for the public to enjoy.
The artists in this exhibition hope to convey the concept of environmental protection and reusable resources. All the colours in this exhibition come from the land of Taiwan. We hope that visitors can take a leisurely tour and feel the charming colours produced by Taiwanese artists in a long-term dialogue with nature. We wish everyone a future full of colour!
Jan 29 15:00 - 16:00
DIY with Persimmon Dye!
Nature is full of colours and creativity. Using persimmon dye from Xinpu Township, Taiwan—dubbed the Town of Persimmons—we’ll learn about how to make art out of the natural world around us.
Persimmons are considered lucky, and often eaten during the Lunar New Year. The bright orange is the colour of good fortune. Let’s be curious like rabbits and discover more colours around us!
**Workshop participation by donation.
Jan 29 11:30 - 12:00 | 14:00 - 14:30
Learn how The Lantern City highlights Vancouver as the city where diversity shines!
A free talk by the curators of the beautiful lanterns exhibit lighting up the city in three different locations. Listen to the stories behind each lantern artwork and the connections that tie them all together.
Feb 04 13:30 - 15:00
Before Lunar New Year, people write lucky words on red paper to decorate the house. Chinese people like to play with the sounds of words. For example, the word for luck (吉 ji) looks and sounds similar to the word for orange (桔 ju). That’s why we draw and eat oranges for good luck!
In this drop-in workshop, we will be writing lucky words using Chinese brush and ink on red paper to make Spring Festival couplets. To celebrate the Year of Rabbit, we will try to capture the essence of a rabbit with simple brush strokes and add simple paper cuttings to decorate the house for good luck.
Feb 04 11:00 - 16:00
Feb 05 11:00 - 16:00
Taiwan is a subtropical island country in East Asia. There are many mountains but few plains; combined with a warm and humid oceanic climate, the island is an ecological paradise for animals and plants. This means a variety of excellent materials for crafts, including rich fiber matter and plant dyes. Masters of the craft wield creativity in their hands, turning the colours of nature into beautiful handmade crafts for the public to enjoy.
The artists in this exhibition hope to convey the concept of environmental protection and reusable resources. All the colours in this exhibition come from the land of Taiwan. We hope that visitors can take a leisurely tour and feel the charming colours produced by Taiwanese artists in a long-term dialogue with nature. We wish everyone a future full of colour!
Feb 05 11:30 - 12:00 | 14:00 - 14:30
Learn how The Lantern City highlights Vancouver as the city where diversity shines!
A free talk by the curators of the beautiful lanterns exhibit lighting up the city in three different locations. Listen to the stories behind each lantern artwork and the connections that tie them all together.
Bunny has a dream of becoming a magician.
Along the way, she meets helpful friends, Frog and Mr. Bat. Will they succeed in making Bunny’s dream come true?
It’s the Year of the Rabbit, and we love how they hop, hop, hop forwards with energy! Let’s ignite our curiosity and follow Bunny on her fantastic adventure. Where will they go? Will her dream come true? You decide!
Every one of us has a Bunny in our heart. Using coloured pens and paper, let’s bring that Bunny to life!
Feb 05 11:00 - 12:30
Feb 05 15:00 - 16:00
DIY with Persimmon Dye!
Nature is full of colours and creativity. Using persimmon dye from Xinpu Township, Taiwan—dubbed the Town of Persimmons—we’ll learn about how to make art out of the natural world around us.
Persimmons are considered lucky, and often eaten during the Lunar New Year. The bright orange is the colour of good fortune. Let’s be curious like rabbits and discover more colours around us!
**Workshop participation by donation.
This family friendly activity encourages us to use our creativity to transform everyday objects into imaginative art pieces that tell a unique story inspired by nature and its beauty. All of this without having to purchase expensive supplies from an art store, allowing us to positively impact the environment and the future of our planet…
What story will you create?
Aiko’s Family Origami and Crafts
Learn how to make beautiful Origami Models! Origami is one of the traditional Japanese folk arts. Over the centuries, it has spread from person to person and has become an important part of Japanese culture. Origami is a mentally stimulating activity for all ages.
In this Year to Imagine, let’s follow the rabbits and see where our creativity takes us.
The Mongolian Lunar New Year is the beginning of spring, a celebration of the season when everything natural earns a life. It is a time to greet relatives, learn about their past year, and share happiness with every generation.
Enjoy a performance to learn about Mongolian cultural traditions, sit down and craft your own paper yurt, and have your fortune told through ankle-bone fortune telling!
Be inspired to make art and sing while surrounded by the colours of Formosa and songs and stories inspired by new year traditions and the beauty of the land. Bring your creativity and share your story with us!
Ginalina is a singer-songwriter from Vancouver, the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples: Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, and Musqueam Nations. Masaw is an urban Indigenous singer-songwriter from the island of Taiwan.
Taking place within the Colours of Formosa exhibit at Ocean Artworks (Granville Island).
Bunny has a dream of becoming a magician.
Along the way, she meets helpful friends, Frog and Mr. Bat. Will they succeed in making Bunny’s dream come true?
It’s the Year of the Rabbit, and we love how they hop, hop, hop forwards with energy! Let’s ignite our curiosity and follow Bunny on her fantastic adventure. Where will they go? Will her dream come true? You decide!
Every one of us has a Bunny in our heart. Using coloured pens and paper, let’s bring that Bunny to life!
Greet the new year with well-wishes and a little luck! Learn how to make and take home your very own Han-ji (Korean paper) lucky pouch. LunarFest wishes you a safe and healthy new year filled with good fortune!
**By cash donation only.
Feb 12 11:30 - 12:00 | 14:00 - 14:30
Learn how The Lantern City highlights Vancouver as the city where diversity shines!
A free talk by the curators of the beautiful lanterns exhibit lighting up the city in three different locations. Listen to the stories behind each lantern artwork and the connections that tie them all together.
Feb 11 11:00 - 16:00
Feb 12 11:00 - 16:00
Taiwan is a subtropical island country in East Asia. There are many mountains but few plains; combined with a warm and humid oceanic climate, the island is an ecological paradise for animals and plants. This means a variety of excellent materials for crafts, including rich fiber matter and plant dyes. Masters of the craft wield creativity in their hands, turning the colours of nature into beautiful handmade crafts for the public to enjoy.
The artists in this exhibition hope to convey the concept of environmental protection and reusable resources. All the colours in this exhibition come from the land of Taiwan. We hope that visitors can take a leisurely tour and feel the charming colours produced by Taiwanese artists in a long-term dialogue with nature. We wish everyone a future full of colour!
Feb 18 13:00 - 13:0
Welcome to the new year with energetic, dynamic and colorful performances of Eisa drum-dancing!
Vancouver Okinawa Taiko showcases Okinawan cultural heritage.
Vancouver Okinawa Taiko has been performing in numerous festivals, charity functions and anniversary events for just about two decades. The group’s aim is to promote and preserve Okinawan style drum-dancing Eisa, and to share Okinawan cultural heritage. The membership consists of a mixed generation to reflect the presentation of grassroots folk art. We hope to deliver the Okinawan spirit through the beat of our drums and harmonies of our dance.
Feb 18 11:00 - 16:00
Feb 19 11:00 - 16:00
Feb 20 11:00 - 16:00
Taiwan is a subtropical island country in East Asia. There are many mountains but few plains; combined with a warm and humid oceanic climate, the island is an ecological paradise for animals and plants. This means a variety of excellent materials for crafts, including rich fiber matter and plant dyes. Masters of the craft wield creativity in their hands, turning the colours of nature into beautiful handmade crafts for the public to enjoy.
The artists in this exhibition hope to convey the concept of environmental protection and reusable resources. All the colours in this exhibition come from the land of Taiwan. We hope that visitors can take a leisurely tour and feel the charming colours produced by Taiwanese artists in a long-term dialogue with nature. We wish everyone a future full of colour!
Food is an important part of Lunar New Year celebrations. Food is how we share love with family and friends!
Learn the traditional LNY dishes of different Asian cultures in this interactive live demo. Featuring Korean tteokguk, Japanese niku-dango, Vietnamese Bánh Ít Trần, and Hong Kong radish cakes.
Afterwards, treat yourself to a special ricecake bento box! Share with us stories of your favourite Lunar New Year eats.
** Bento box quantities limited; registration required.
DIY with Persimmon Dye!
Nature is full of colours and creativity. Using persimmon dye from Xinpu Township, Taiwan—dubbed the Town of Persimmons—we’ll learn about how to make art out of the natural world around us.
Persimmons are considered lucky, and often eaten during the Lunar New Year. The bright orange is the colour of good fortune. Let’s be curious like rabbits and discover more colours around us!
**Workshop participation by donation.
Feb 19 11:00 - 11:30 | 14:00 - 14:30
Feb 20 11:00 - 11:30 | 14:00 - 14:30
Learn how The Lantern City highlights Vancouver as the city where diversity shines!
A free talk by the curators of the beautiful lanterns exhibit lighting up the city in three different locations. Listen to the stories behind each lantern artwork and the connections that tie them all together.
This family friendly activity encourages us to use our creativity to transform everyday objects into imaginative art pieces that tell a unique story inspired by nature and its beauty. All of this without having to purchase expensive supplies from an art store, allowing us to positively impact the environment and the future of our planet…
What story will you create?
Éy St’élmexw St’elt’ílém – Good Medicine Songs (GMS) is a collaborative project that involves Stó:lō singers, cultural and language carriers Xotwxes Jonny Williams and Sulisulwut Bibiana Norris, with Wilds singer/songwriter/musicians Holly Arntzen and Kevin Wright. The GMS team creates bilingual songs that are about resilience, unity and giving thanks to the Shxwelí (life spirit) around and in all of us.
The Good Medicine Songs workshop will feature Stó:lō stories and teachings that weave together cultural and ecological connections to the moon. Let’s sing together and gather together in the name of the moon, whatever our heritage may be.
