Chinese New Year in Calgary 2025

Each winter, Calgary runs a bunch of Chinese New Year celebrations. Lunar New Year's theme changes slightly every year, as it depends on the zodiac cycle. But generally, one can expect lion and dragon dances, Chinese lanterns, calligraphy exhibitions, and traditional food at various locations across the city. All the festivities have a red color at their core, as it represents happiness and luck.

Chinese Lunar New Year Festival (January 25–26, February 1–2, 2025)

The Calgary Chinese Cultural Center comes alive during the two-weekend Chinese Lunar New Year Festival, attracting residents and visitors alike. The event showcases vibrant traditions and cultural heritage through calligraphy exhibitions and workshops, face painting, colorful lantern displays, and lively dragon and lion dance performances. Attendees can explore a bustling vendor market featuring souvenirs, crafts, and Chinese goods while food stalls serve a variety of authentic Chinese cuisine.

Chinatown Events (January 29, 2025)

Calgary's Chinatown will celebrate the Year of the Dragon with vibrant Lunar New Year festivities. The day begins with a captivating performance at the Chinese Cultural Centre at noon, setting the tone for the celebrations. At 1 PM, the excitement continues with a colorful parade through Calgary Chinatown, starting inside the Chinese Cultural Centre Cuisine restaurant and proceeding along 2 Avenue SE. The parade, accompanied by dragon and lion dances, will bring the streets to life with cultural performances, traditional music, and festive decorations, offering an immersive celebration of the Lunar New Year.

Chinatown Dining Options

After taking in all the cultural activities, festive folks can treat themselves to a multi-course dinner at one of the many restaurants in Calgary Chinatown and Centre Street. Chinatown restaurants like Regency Palace, Silver Dragon, and Lucky Place Restaurant offer tasty dumplings and other dim sum delights. Centre Street also has plenty of dining options, from Central Grand Restaurant and Pheonix Gate Chinese Cuisine to Golden Central Chinese Cuisine and China Palace Chinese Restaurant. It might be a good idea to make a reservation in advance as the best restaurants get crowded rather quickly.

2025 Chinese New Year Dinner Gala (January 30, 2025)

Chinatown invites attendees to celebrate the 2025 Chinese New Year Dinner Gala at the Regency Palace Seafood Restaurant. This festive event features a lavish spread of traditional Chinese dishes alongside cultural performances, creating an engaging and vibrant atmosphere. Designed as an occasion to bring together family and friends, the gala emphasizes the joyous spirit of the Chinese New Year. Tickets for the celebration are priced at CA$88, and the event starts at 5:30 pm.

HKCBA Lunar New Year Gala (February 7, 2025)

The HKCBA Gala offers a sophisticated way to celebrate Chinese New Year, attracting local corporate leaders, businesses, and Hong Kong-Canada Business Association members. This annual event kicks off at Regency Palace Seafood Restaurant with a welcome cocktail reception at 5:30 pm, followed by a Lion Dance at 6:30 pm that marks the start of the evening’s main program. A traditional 10-course Chinese dinner is served at 7 pm, complemented by cultural performances, guest speakers, and an awards ceremony honoring HKCBA Calgary Scholarship recipients.

Throughout the evening, attendees can participate in a silent auction, enjoy dazzling performances, and anticipate raffle prize announcements. Tickets are priced at $108 for members and $138 for non-members, making this gala a vibrant and engaging celebration of Asian culture and the Lunar New Year.

Big Fun Chinese New Year (January 31, 2025)

The Big Fun Chinese New Year event, hosted by the Friends of Chinatown organization, offers an evening of delicious cuisine and cultural entertainment. Guests will enjoy a family-style, 10-course meal featuring dishes such as Peking duck, Cantonese-style pineapple sweet and sour pork, and salt and pepper fish fillet. The evening also includes a lion dance performance by the Jing Wo Cultural Association and live music.