Started in 2009 and built to be a Vancouver Winter Olympics Legacy event, LunarFest is Canada’s premier presenter of contemporary expression in Asian arts and culture. It endeavours to reach new Canadians and those who have been here for many generations to share in the diversity of Canada. It also encourages and fosters the collaboration of Canadian and International cultural presenters to create new forms of artistic expressions. LunarFest is a festival that brings together Soul, Art and Life on one stage. 

Being one of the top 10 Cultural Olympiad events chosen by Georgia Straight in Vancouver, LunarFest was one of the spotlights in Vancouver Downtown Core during the Games. More than half a million people witnessed the magic of LunarFest and countless photographs were taken; it will forever be a part of the Olympic memories of many Canadians and visitors around the world. In 2012, the Festival was expanded to Ontario. 

Designed to be a festival that celebrates one of the oldest traditions for many Asian cultures – Lunar New Year – LunarFest aims to collaborate with many Asian communities and outreaches to other Canadians. Since the inception, LunarFest is also built on an important artistic element for many cultures – the lanterns. Through collaborations with professional artists and school children in Canada and around the world, LunarFest has already presented Lantern Forest for 2009-2010, Lantern Aquarium for 2011-2012, Lantern Jungle in 2013, Lantern Palaces in 2014, World’s Little Shepherds in 2015, Monkey King and His Friends in 2016, the Rooster Winter Games in 2017, It’s Just Perfect and Beautiful in 2018, Saving the Moment in 2019, Doors Open in 2020, Family Is Everything in 2021, and Together Stronger in 2022.