Chinese Canadian Museum Victoria Fan Tan Alley Celebrates Lunar New Year and BC Family Day in Back-to-Back Weekends
Victoria, BC (February 2, 2024) – The Chinese Canadian Museum in Victoria’s Fan Tan Alley is celebrating its second anniversary during Lunar New Year with special tastings, Chinese Zodiac interpretations, and an exclusive reading by award-winning Canadian author Julie Lawson. As well, the museum is offering family-friendly activities the following weekend on BC Family Day, and has extended hours during Victoria’s Winter Arts Festival.
Lunar New Year — also called Spring Festival in some parts of the world — falls on February 10 this year, set to commence the Year of the Wood Dragon.
On Saturday, February 10, the museum will be offering free tastings of handmade dragon's beard candy or Chinese cotton candy (until quantities last), and interpreting of the Chinese Zodiac, where visitors can find out what Chinese Zodiac animal they are and their corresponding personality traits.
On Sunday, February 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Canadian award-winning author Julie Lawson, who was born, raised and is still living in Victoria, will have an exclusive reading of her novel, White Jade Tiger, which was inspired by her trip to China and her experience in Victoria’s Chinatown visiting unique spaces, such as Fan Tan Alley. White Jade Tiger is also celebrating a milestone 30th anniversary. The museum will also offer free tastings of lychee from noon (until quantities last), and Chinese Zodiac interpretation.
According to the Chinese Zodiac, the dragon is a powerful and auspicious mythical creature in Chinese culture. Those born in the year of the dragon are said to carry its traits representing strength, passion, courage, tenacity, intelligence, creativity, and confidence.
Typically, Lunar New Year is celebrated for fifteen days where people follow various customs and traditions, adorning their homes with red decorations and visiting family members especially paying respects to their elders.
Victoria is also hosting a Lunar New Year Parade in Chinatown presented by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association on Sunday, February 18, starting at 11:30 a.m. at the Gates of Harmonious Interest. It will feature an eight lion performance by the Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club, dragon dance by the Victoria Chinese Public School, and traditional Chinese dances. The lion dance groups will be visiting many of the businesses in Chinatown, including the Chinese Canadian Museum’s Fan Tan Alley site.
In addition, the museum is celebrating its second anniversary of its Victoria location on Saturday, February 17, and will be handing out fortune cookies for the celebration (while quantities last). That weekend also coincides with Victoria's Winter Arts Festival and many shops in Fan Tan Alley, including the Museum will be open late on Friday, February 16 and Saturday, February 17 until 9 p.m.
For BC Family Day on Monday, February 19, the museum will host family-friendly activities, such as Build-Your-Own Family with Lego, a Chopsticks Challenge to test who can use chopsticks the quickest, and a Chinatown Walking Quiz.
The Chinese Canadian Museum Victoria location currently features The Magic of Tony Eng exhibition, which honours the life of legendary Canadian master magician Tony Eng.
About the Chinese Canadian Museum
The Chinese Canadian Museum Society of British Columbia was founded in March 2020 to establish and operate a public museum in British Columbia with a national scope, honouring Chinese Canadian history, contributions, and living heritage. Guided by its mission statement “Connecting to the Chinese Canadian story – addressing inclusion for all”, the Chinese Canadian Museum provides an invigorating and transformative experience for present and future generations through its exhibitions and programming throughout B.C. and Canada.
The first of its kind in Canada, the Chinese Canadian Museum is located in Vancouver Chinatown, with a second temporary location at Fan Tan Alley in Victoria.