Light Up Chinatown! returns August 8 and 9 with Hawkers Lane, chef collaborations, live entertainment, cultural experiences and limited-edition treats throughout Vancouver’s historic Chinatown.
Vancouver’s Chinatown will come alive with food, music, art and community celebrations when Light Up Chinatown!, presented by RBC, returns on Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9, 2026.
We recently attended a media preview for an early taste of what is planned for this year’s festival, including dishes from the restaurants and chefs participating in Hawkers Lane.
The free, family-friendly festival will feature live performances, cultural programming, exclusive food collaborations, shopping launches and activities throughout the Chinatown neighbourhood.
Saturday, August 8: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, August 9: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hawkers Lane Brings Vancouver Chefs Together
Food will once again be a major part of Light Up Chinatown!, with Hawkers Lane bringing together local restaurants and chefs for a weekend of Asian street-food-inspired dishes.
Participating vendors include DD Mau, Ember HK BBQ, Holy Duck Chili Oil, EatFish, Chef Dez Lo, Street Hawker, Mama in the Kitchen and Chef William Lew.
At the media preview, we sampled a selection of the dishes festivalgoers can expect to find throughout the weekend.
DD Mau
DD Mau will serve a Saigon Snack Set for $14, featuring grilled beef and pork wrapped in fragrant betel leaf, saté-glazed prawns and fresh pomelo salad with lemongrass vinaigrette.
Ember HK BBQ x Holy Duck Chili Oil
Ember HK BBQ and Holy Duck Chili Oil will offer build-your-own noodle bowls with a choice of toppings.
Options include Hong Kong barbecue pork, Indonesian satay skewers, Ember braised pork, Hong Kong-style Bolognese, garlic roast pork belly and garlic pork stir-fry.
Bowls are priced from $12 to $16, depending on the number of toppings selected.
Chef Dez Lo x EatFish x Holy Duck Chili Oil
Chef Dez Lo and EatFish are teaming up with Holy Duck Chili Oil for a menu that includes fish and chips, chili lava salted egg takoyaki and smoked BC fish cakes.
Dishes will be priced from $10 to $15.
Street Hawker
Street Hawker will bring its bold burger flavours to the festival with the Seoul Crusher and the All-Canadian Burger, priced from $13 to $16.
Mama in the Kitchen x Chef William Lew
Mama in the Kitchen and Chef William Lew will serve a selection of snacks, including chili chicken wontons, chicken wings, spring rolls and Hong Kong curry fish balls.
Items will range from $7 to $15.
Exclusive Chinatown Food Collaborations
The festival’s food programming extends beyond Hawkers Lane, with several Chinatown businesses hosting special collaborations available only during Light Up Chinatown!
Beaucoup Bakery x Chinatown BBQ: roasted pork quiche at Chinatown BBQ
Say Hey Cafe x Dicky’s Dumps: meatball dumplings at Say Hey Cafe
DD Mau x New Town Bakery x Keem Ice Cream: The Chinatown Affogato, made with brown butter pineapple bun ice cream and Vietnamese coffee
Foo Hung Curios x Buttermere Patisserie: White Rabbit Bubble Tea Roll
Quantities are limited, and many of the items will be available only while supplies last.
Special Launches at Foo Hung Curios
Foo Hung Curios, located inside the Chinatown Storytelling Centre, will host several exclusive food, fashion and art launches during the festival.
Visitors can look for the White Rabbit Bubble Tea Roll created with Buttermere Patisserie, available daily beginning at noon until sold out.
Other festival exclusives include:
- Triple Chocolate Claypot Rice from Hype Chocolate Co.
- A new collection from Fai Kee Studio
- A Chinatown ICONS T-shirt created with Chairman Ting
Make Your Own Chinatown Button
The Chinatown Storytelling Centre will also invite visitors into its Learning Lab for a pay-what-you-can cultural experience.
After exploring the space with one of the centre’s cultural interpreters, visitors can take part in a free button-making activity featuring designs from the Foo Hung Curios x Artbedo: Bao in Chinatown collection.
The activity is open to all ages.
Saturday, August 8: 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, August 9: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Volunteer at Light Up Chinatown!
The Vancouver Chinatown Foundation is also seeking volunteers aged 16 and older to assist throughout the weekend.
Volunteer roles offer an opportunity to experience the festival from behind the scenes, welcome visitors, earn volunteer hours and meet other members of the community. Flexible shifts are available, and no previous experience is required.
Light Up Chinatown! 2026 Details
When:
Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, August 9, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where:
Vancouver’s Chinatown neighbourhood
Chinatown Storytelling Centre:
168 East Pender Street, Vancouver
The Chinatown Storytelling Centre is approximately a 10-minute walk from both Stadium–Chinatown and Main Street–Science World SkyTrain stations.
Whether you come for the food, live entertainment, shopping or the chance to learn more about the neighbourhood’s history, Light Up Chinatown! offers two full days to explore and celebrate one of Vancouver’s most important cultural communities.
