Chinese New Year 2025 in Montreal

After January 1 and an amazing New Year's party Montreal gets ready to celebrate all over again as Chinese New Year is approaching. Montreal's Chinatown hosts lots of festivities, from the traditional Lunar New Year Parade to calligraphy workshops. Restaurants across the neighborhood serve lots of traditional treats for the holiday. Pick your favorite options and celebrate the Lunar New Year in Montreal.

Chinese New Year at the Montreal's Chinatown (TBA)

Lunar New Year activities in Montreal's Chinatown offer a fascinating immersion into Asian culture. Calligraphy workshops, wishing in the wishing tree, and culinary tasting sessions mix with traditional games for young and old. Visitors can immerse themselves in the world of the Lunar New Year with a series of captivating performances, from majestic drum dancing to the grace of traditional dances.

The parade traditionally celebrates the first day of the year! The Lunar New Year Parade is a dazzling spectacle of colors, music, and dance. With its dancing dragons and leaping lions, it embodies joy and good fortune—a highlight celebrating the richness of Asian culture in the heart of Montreal.

Chinese New Year Canada Gala (February 1, 2025)

In 2025, the Chinese New Year Canada Gala at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts, promises a mesmerizing evening featuring over a hundred artists performing together on one stage.

This extraordinary event blends the richness of Eastern and Western cultures, showcasing a stunning array of classical Western ballet, traditional Chinese dance, folk performances, martial arts, acrobatics, singing, and traditional folk music. Carefully choreographed dance sequences will transport the audience into a world of enchantment, celebrating the depth and beauty of Chinese culture and traditions shaped over thousands of years. The Gala begins at 7:30 pm, with tickets priced between $48 and $158.

Chinese New Year at the Montreal Eaton Centre (TBA)

Montréal's Eaton Centre is embracing the Chinese New Year with festive celebrations throughout the month. Visitors can share their hopes for a prosperous new year at The Wishing Arch, available all month long. On New Year's Day, visitors can enjoy captivating performances and demonstrations. Be sure to catch the vibrant lion dance parade as it winds its way through the Saint Catherine Level.

Chinese New Year Dishes at Restaurants Across Montreal

Chinese New Year traditions often revolve around food, each dish carrying symbolic meaning. Dumplings, for instance, resemble gold and silver ingots, and eating them on New Year's Day is believed to bring wealth. To enjoy these tasty bites, visit places like Harbin Dumpling, Mai Xiang Yuan, or Mei Restaurant.

Fish is another essential dish, as the word for "fish" in Chinese sounds like "luck." Traditionally served with the head and tail intact to symbolize a good beginning and end, you can savor this dish at Restaurant Mon Nan or Restaurant ChinaTown Kim Fung, among other options nearby.

For a long and prosperous life, noodles are the perfect choice. They are served uncut, as their length symbolizes longevity. Fresh, flavorful options can be found at Restaurant Noodle Factory or Nouilles de Lan Zhou.