Fifth Annual Light Up Chinatown! Festival Wraps up the Summer in Chinatown, Celebrating Small Businesses

Presented by RBC, the two-day festival returns to reignite Chinatown with live music, prizes, celebrity chefs & artists, and tasty street food.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vancouver Chinatown Foundation’s Light Up Chinatown! Festival, presented by RBC, is back for its fifth year and promises to be the biggest one yet! Vancouver’s Chinatown welcomes everyone to the historic neighbourhood on Saturday, August 16, from 11 am - 9 pm, and Sunday, August 17, from 11 am - 6 pm.

Light Up Chinatown! is Chinatown at its finest, as the 500 block of Columbia Street transforms into a lively hub of culture, food, and entertainment, with locals and visitors alike exploring and celebrating this iconic neighbourhood.

Calling all Foodies

This year, the festival brings an even more exciting lineup of experiences celebrating the chefs and restaurants around Chinatown. Attendees can indulge in mouthwatering dishes and food collaborations with the return of Hawkers Lane food stalls on the festival grounds. New vendors include Torafuku, Street Hawker, Potluck Hawker, Golden Smell Mee, and a collaboration with Holy Duck Chili and Ember HK BBQ. Also returning will be DD Mau and a collaboration between William Lew and Mama in the Kitchen. Festival-goers can also enjoy onsite treats from Lee’s Donuts, Hype Chocolate, and the Light Up Chinatown! Bar and Slushie Station, alongside exclusive neighbourhood food collaborations, like the Golden Rooster croissant from Chinatown BBQ and Beaucoup Bakery and Kam Wai’s special Light Up Chinatown! Bao.

Live Music, Moves, and More

Light Up Chinatown! will feature a lively and exciting lineup of performances by up-and-coming artists. Vancouver talents like Marie Hui, DJ May Q, and The Phonix Band will light up the stage with electric contemporary sets that are not to miss.

New this year, Light Up Chinatown!: After Glow features a new Saturday evening experience with an R&B performance by FARA, a DJ set, happy hour festivities, and an official after party at Fortune Sound Club.

Beyond the music, the event also celebrates tradition with Chinese opera, folk music, and dance performances. Families can enjoy the dedicated Kids Zone, featuring interactive stations like our selfie station, craftmaking, face painting, plus prize giveaways.

Pick up Your Passport and Win Prizes

The return of the Passport Program will encourage visitors to explore the neighbourhood and collect stamps from local small businesses, which will be offering special discounts during Light Up Chinatown!, highlighting all that Chinatown has to offer. Participants have a chance to win prizes, including a selection of concert and pro sport event tickets, experiences from Grouse Mountain to Science World plus gift certificates and apparel from brands including Arcteryx, Lululemon and Patagonia.

Beat the Heat with Cool Events Inside the Chinatown Storytelling Centre

The festival will also introduce unique programming inside the Chinatown Storytelling Centre, including a watercolour workshop on Chinatown’s neon signs led by artist Donna Seto, and a remarkable HK Milk Tea "pulling" demonstration by Master Chef Canada winner Christopher Siu. For those seeking hands-on creativity, craft stations in the Chinatown Storytelling Centre will be open both days for colouring and button-making activities.

A Fun Way to Support Local Small Businesses

Carol Lee, Chair of the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, emphasizes the importance of this annual event to the community.“Small business is everything; it is the backbone of Chinatown. Our first Light Up Chinatown! festival in 2021 to bring visitors and tourism back to Chinatown during the pandemic. That initial spark has developed into a landmark summer festival in Vancouver, where we expect upwards of 20,000 visitors over the two days. We’re so excited for everyone to join us this year to experience the culture and colour of Chinatown.”

Our Commitment to a Safe Festival for All

Safety continues to be a top priority for the festival. Organizers are taking extra precautions to ensure the well-being of all attendees, staff, and volunteers. The Vancouver Police Department is providing additional foot patrol officers around the neighbourhood, and there will be increased security measures in and around the festival grounds, emphasizing a shared commitment to creating a safe, inclusive environment for everyone.

To learn more about Light Up Chinatown!, visit lightupchinatown.ca.

Media Assets

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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 builds more resilient and inclusive communities by promoting the well-being of those in need, while preserving Chinatown’s irreplaceable cultural heritage. Learn more at chinatownfoundation.org