Presenting the Official Light Up Chinatown! Festival Guide & Taste of Chinatown 2022
Light Up Chinatown! presented by RBC, is back this weekend with a two-day, family-friendly festival. From September 10 to 11, 2022, the whole community is invited to experience a full slate of new programming, food experiences, and colourful lights and lantern decorations around Vancouver’s historic Chinatown during the Mid-Autumn Festival. This year the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation has partnered with the Vancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Area Society (VCBIA), Vancouver Chinatown Merchants Association, Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver, and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden to celebrate the city’s iconic neighbourhood.
Location: Heart of Vancouver Chinatown – 500-block Columbia Street, 100-block Pender Street and neighbouring streets; bike valet available
Dates and Times: Saturday, Sept 10th, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, Sept 11th 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM INCLUDES:
Saturday, September 10, 2022
11 a.m. – Opening Ceremony with emcees Chris Gailus of Global BC and Karen So of OMNI TV; and VIP guests; lion dance by Hon Hsing Athletic Club of Vancouver; and special performance by Goh Ballet
12:45 p.m. – Goldenpearl Ensemble, traditional Chinese music performed by World Famous Master Ruan artist Zhimin Yu and her ensemble
2 p.m. – St. James Music Academy with a performance by children living and around Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside
3:15 p.m. – Now or Never, a hip-hop/breakdancing crew, winners of Battle of the Year International
4:30 p.m. – Fistful of Kicks, Vancouver’s funniest all-Asian improv comedy group
5:45 p.m. – Nina Mendoza and Hustle at RS; join hustle dancers and groove to the tunes by Mendoza
7 p.m. – Madison Reunion Band, a well-loved local band bringing joy to audiences of all ages
8:15 p.m. – DJ Kubanito brings hot Latin music to Chinatown; come shake your hips!
Sunday, September 11, 2022
12 p.m. – Backporch Serenaders, a Vancouver-based quartet playing traditional jazz
1:15 p.m. – Lorita Leung Dance Academy with a showcase of different Chinese dance styles
2:30 p.m. – Ken and Ken, where maestro Kenneth Hsieh performs with violinist Ken Lin
12 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Join Vancouver Cantonese Opera’s Rosa Cheng as she demonstrates the art of opera make-up and costuming, in the lobby at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre, while she prepares for her special balcony performance.
3:10 p.m. – Vancouver Cantonese Opera with a rare balcony performance by the renowned Rosa Cheng at the historic heritage building Chinese Benevolent Association (108 East Pender Street)
3:45 p.m. – Herbert & Friends with pianist Herbert and his musical friends
5 p.m. – Marie Hui closes Light Up Chinatown! with her strong, soulful voice!
Food lovers can eat their way through a variety of food trucks, including Takenaka, Salty’s Lobster Shack, and Tornado Potato. Beaucoup Bakery and Chinatown BBQ’s fan-favourite Peking Duck Croissant is available on both days at 2 p.m. at 130 East Pender Street. In addition, the team behind The Chinese Restaurant Awards has updated its successful Taste of Chinatown, featuring an exciting self-guided culinary walking tour of Chinatown. Diners can explore must-try items and shop for unique, specialty offerings from local merchants and restaurants. Taste of Chinatown is part of Light Up Chinatown!’s souvenir passport, where the community can go around the neighbourhood to collect stamps and win prizes valued over $2,000, including daily prizes valued more than $50 and a grand prize valued at $450.
Other notable activities include strolling through Chinatown to see even more lights and lanterns dotted throughout the streets, and a brand-new Kids Zone with balloon twisting, tattoo station, arts and crafts.
For more information, please visit www.lightupchinatown.com.
The Chinese Restaurant Awards and Vancouver Chinatown Foundation are excited to co-announce the 5 Chinatown Legends and Critics’ Choice Top 10 Dishes, in celebration of this year’s festival and the finest of Vancouver Chinatown’s cuisine!
Make sure to get your souvenir Light Up Chinatown! festival guide to eat your way through the top 10 dishes and explore the 5 legendary Chinatown businesses recognized in the spirit of “New School Honouring the Old School”. Still hungry? The Chinese Restaurant Awards have also curated a Chinatown Pastry Walk, Chinatown Noodle Pull Self-Guided Tour, and a curation of Chinatown Charmers in the neighbourhood. Enter to win daily prizes from select Chinatown passport stamp restaurants and retailers. Details in the festival guide.
Daily prize value starts from $50
Grand prize valued at $450
Total prizes valued at $2,000
Taste of Chinatown Specials
CHINATOWN BBQ × BEAUCOUP BAKERY: Return of the Peking Duck Croissant
Chinatown BBQ (130 E Pender Street)
September 10th & 11th
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Beaucoup Bakery x Chinatown BBQ are bringing back their popular and highly-anticipated collaboration—the Original Peking Duck Croissant.
Available only at Light Up Chinatown! this year, the croissant includes shredded Chinatown BBQ roasted duck, hoisin sauce, scallions, five spice powder, and Beaucoup’s classic butter croissant.
First come, first served.
Saigon Saturday
DD MAU (145 East Pender Street)
Saturday, September 10th
9:00 PM – Late
Late night happy hour, live DJ’s, drink and food specials.
All sales from the Saigon feature cocktail will be donated to the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation.
Reservations required, book online or call 604-559-6076.
Dim Sum Event with local celebrity Fred Lee
Floata Seafood Restaurant (180 Keefer Street)
Sunday, September 11th
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
$50 tickets (tables of 8 available for $400). Each ticket includes a lunch full of dim sum delights at Chinatown’s true dim sum palace.
$16.50 of each ticket sale will be donated to the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation.
Reservations required, email Michaela.Vince@chinatownfoundation.org
About Vancouver Chinatown Foundation
The Vancouver Chinatown Foundation is a registered charity committed to the revitalization of Chinatown, one of Canada’s most iconic neighbourhoods in the historic heart of Vancouver. The Foundation is dedicated to building a more resilient and inclusive community by promoting the well-being of those in need, while preserving Chinatown’s irreplaceable cultural heritage. As a community builder, the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation mobilizes resources and acts as a catalyst by bringing together thoughtful minds with on-the-ground insight – people who care about our community – to help solve some of our city’s biggest challenges.
Instagram: @chinatownfoundation | Facebook: ChinatownFdn | Twitter: @ChinatownFdn www.chinatownfoundation.org | #LightUpChinatown
