On the day of and in the weeks leading up to Feb. 10, communities across the North Shore will be welcoming in the Lunar New Year with vibrant festivities. From creative activities to family events and educational resources, the offerings ushering in the Year of the Dragon span all manner of celebration.
Here are our picks of the best.
Create and Connect at MONOVA
Not ones to let a large, significant celebration go under the radar, those at MONOVA will be hosting a day-long series of events on Saturday to kickstart the year’s festivities. Guests are invited to explore traditional new year customs, try their hand at writing Chinese couplets, learn about the importance of the dragon in Chinese tradition and even try a bit or two of daikon cake. Storytelling and snacks will also continue throughout much of the day.
Feb. 10, MONOVA. For more information visit the museum's website.
North Vancouver City Library
You’ve probably seen the traditional, tile-based game of Mahjong, but have you ever played it? To celebrate the new year, the City library will be hosting instructors from the UBC Mahjong Club who will lead an introductory session on how to play the ancient Chinese game.
The program is intended for beginners, and is open to anyone aged 10 years and older. While registration is required, drop-in spots may be available if there is space.
Feb. 10, NVCL. For more details and registration, visit the library’s website.
North Vancouver District Library
Meanwhile the NVDPL is hosting a drop-in Lunar New Year Craft & Watch activity, where library goers can participate in a simple, self-guided crafts while watching virtual celebrations of the Lunar New Year.
A wide variety of books delving into the history, traditions and celebrations of the Chinese New Year will also be out on display. Can’t find what you’re looking for? The full reading list can also be perused online.
Craft & Watch on Feb. 10, 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. For more information visit the NVDPL website.
West Vancouver Memorial Library
Over in West Vancouver, the library will be hosting a raft of events designed to educate and entertain, with the main events being Lunar New Year storytimes on both Feb. 9 and 10.
WVML’s Systems Librarian Wendy Zhang, who will lead one of the events, said the special Family Storytime will celebrate the Year of Dragon and will help guests learn "about this tradition through stories, songs, and fun games in both English and Mandarin."
Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
