2015 is the Year of the Sheep/Ram/Goat!

Every year, Vancouver hosts multiple Chinese New Year Events, culminating in the annual Chinese New Year Parade through historic Chinatown, a cultural extravaganza that's one of the city's biggest and best annual parades.

Organized by the Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver since 1979, the parade has grown into a must-see event in Vancouver, attracting over 50,000 spectators and 3,000 performers, including the largest assembly of lion dance teams in Canada.

With more than 50 lions, diverse multicultural dance troupes, the Vancouver Police Department Motorcycle Drill Team, marching bands and more, the Chinese New Year Parade is a celebration not to be missed.

• When: Sunday, February 22, 2015, 12pm - 2pm
  
• Where: The 1.5km Chinese New Year Parade route starts at the Millennium Gate at Pender St. and heads east, turning south onto Gore St., then west onto Keefer St.
• Map of Chinese New Year Parade Route
  
• Getting to the Chinese New Year Parade: Like any big, downtown event, driving and parking will be extremely difficult. Buses and SkyTrain are the best options. Since so many streets will be blocked off, check Translink for alternate bus routes, or take the SkyTrain to Stadium - Chinatown Station.

After the parade, festivities in Chinatown continue with the free Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival & Cultural Fair at Sun Yat-sen Plaza (50 East Pender Street), from 11am - 5pm.

End the day at the Chinese New Year Banquet at Floata Seafood Restaurant. Tickets to the banquet are $35 and include both dinner and live entertainment, lion dances, greetings by the fortune god and a variety show with singing, cultural dances and more.