Drums in the streets, bursts of red and gold, and the smell of incredible food in the air. Lunar New Year brings colour, movement, and good fortune to cities across Canada.
While the official date falls on February 17, the celebrations stretch all through February, giving you plenty of chances to join in.
Expect lion dances, Chinese New Year parades, lively performances, and food worth lining up for. Whether you’re celebrating with family, meeting friends, or heading out solo, there’s something for everyone as we welcome the Year of the Horse.
This guide highlights the best Lunar New Year events across the country and makes planning simple with nearby parking options for each one. Download the Indigo Neo app to book your parking in advance, or click any parking link in this post and focus on enjoying the celebration.
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About Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year 2026 begins on February 17 and welcomes the Year of the Horse, in the element Fire, a sign known for energy, confidence, and forward motion. Lunar New Year is traditionally a time of renewal; to clear out the old, and set intentions for the year ahead.
This year is all about momentum. It’s a good time to take action, try something new, and stop sitting on plans you have been thinking about for a while. The Fire Horse brings bold, social energy, but it can also be impatient, so slowing down just enough to stay focused will make a big difference.
If you were born in a Horse year, 2026 is your zodiac year, which often means bigger changes and stronger emotions. Want to know more about your Chinese New Year horoscopes? Check out the Chinese New Year site.
Lunar New Year Celebrations in Toronto
Toronto hosts some of the biggest and most exciting celebrations in Canada, making it a great place to ring in Lunar New Year 2026.
Toronto Spring Festival Fireworks Celebration
February 14-15
The Toronto Spring Festival Fireworks Celebration is one of the most talked-about Lunar New Year events in the city. Hosted at the Nathan Phillips Square, this celebration brings thousands of people together for an evening filled with culture, food, performances, and a massive fireworks show. The festival highlights Chinese New Year traditions while making the experience approachable and fun for everyone, whether you are deeply familiar with the holiday or celebrating for the first time.
Where to park:
First Canadian Place: 109 Adelaide Street West
6-minute walk to venue
This spacious underground garage is open 24/7 and features 1036 parking spaces. EV charging available on-site.
700 Bay Street
9-minute walk to venue
This spacious underground garage is open 24/7 and features 235 parking spaces.
A Lunar New Year Celebration with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
February 28
For a more refined but still festive way to celebrate, Year of the Horse: A Lunar New Year Celebration with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra offers a unique cultural experience. This special concert celebrates the Lunar New Year through music, blending classical performances with themes inspired by Chinese New Year traditions. It is a thoughtful and immersive way to welcome the Year of the Horse while enjoying a night out in the city. The concert takes place at Roy Thomson Hall, right in downtown Toronto, and is suitable for a wide audience.
Where to park:
145 King Street West
4-minute walk to venue
This underground garage is open 24/7 and features 209 parking spaces. Payment is available on-site. EV charging available on-site.
200 King Street West
2-minute walk to venue
This underground lot is open 24/7 and has 247 parking spaces. EV charging available on-site.
Lunar New Year Celebrations in Montréal
Montréal celebrates the Lunar New Year with a mix of tradition, performance, and community spirit.
Lunar New Year Celebration in Montréal’s Chinatown
February 21-22
Montréal’s Chinatown is the heart of the city’s Lunar New Year celebrations, and the main events take place on February 21 and 22, just days after the Lunar New Year officially begins. During this weekend, the neighbourhood comes alive with traditional lion dances, cultural performances, and a buzzing street atmosphere that draws locals and visitors alike. It is one of the most authentic ways to experience Chinese New Year celebrations in Montréal.
Where to park:
Place du Quartier: 1071 Rue Saint-Urbain
2-minute walk to venue
This underground garage is open from 6am-11pm and features 128 parking spaces. EV charging is available on-site.
Hilton Homewood: 985 Boulevard Saint-Laurent
2-minute walk to venue
This underground lot is open 24/7 and has 184 parking spaces. EV charging available on-site.
Chinese New Year Gala at Théâtre Wilfrid-Pelletier
February 15
For a more formal Lunar New Year celebration, the Chinese New Year Gala at Théâtre Wilfrid-Pelletier offers a polished and unforgettable experience. This gala features a large-scale stage production with music, dance, and cultural performances that celebrate Lunar New Year traditions. It is a popular event for those who want to mark the Lunar New Year with something elegant and celebratory.
Where to park:
Complexe Desjardins: 1251 Rue Jeanne-Mance
5-minute walk to the venue
This underground garage is open 24/7 and features 1042 parking spaces. EV charging is available on-site.
Carré Saint-Laurent: 1200 Boulevard Saint-Laurent
8-minute walk to venue
This underground lot is open 24/7 and has 150 parking spaces.
Lunar New Year Celebrations in Ottawa
2026 Chinatown New Year Parade
February 21
The 2026 Chinatown New Year Parade is one of the biggest and most anticipated Lunar New Year events in Ottawa. Hosted in Ottawa’s Chinatown, this parade brings the neighbourhood to life with traditional lion and dragon dances, colourful costumes, live music, and plenty of noise meant to scare away bad luck and welcome good fortune for the year ahead.
Where to park:
770 Somerset Street West
4-minute walk to the venue
This underground garage is open 24/7 and features 89 parking spaces.
381 Kent Street
14-minute walk to venue
This surface lot is open 24/7 and has 102 parking spaces.
2026 Lunar New Year Celebration at the Ottawa Boutique
February 14
For a more relaxed and unique way to celebrate, the 2026 Lunar New Year Celebration at the Ottawa Boutique offers something a little different. Hosted by the Royal Canadian Mint, this event takes place at the Mint’s Ottawa boutique and celebrates the Lunar New Year through culture, design, and tradition. Visitors can learn about Lunar New Year symbolism and explore special themed items created to mark the occasion.
Where to park:
Tavern on the Hill: 1223 Alexandra Bridge
14-minute walk to the venue
This surface lot is open 24/7 and features 90 parking spaces.
93 George Street
15-minute walk to venue
This surface lot is open 24/7 and has 65 parking spaces.
Lunar New Year Celebrations in Vancouver
Vancouver is one of the best places in Canada to experience Lunar New Year celebrations, thanks to its vibrant cultural scene and strong ties to Asian traditions.
Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Parade
February 22
The Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Parade is one of the most iconic Lunar New Year events in the country. Taking place in historic Chinatown, this parade celebrates the Lunar New Year with colourful floats, lion and dragon dances, marching bands, and cultural groups from across the region. The parade routes are from Millennium Gate → Pender Street → Gore Avenue → Keefer Street
Where to park:
Rogers Arena – East Lot: 80 Expo Boulevard
7-minute walk to start of parade route
This surface lot is open 24/7 and features 281 parking spaces.
Golden Crown: 211 East Georgia Street
9-minute walk to start of parade route
This underground lot is open from 7am- 8pm and has 163 parking spaces. Payment is available on-site.
LunarFest Concert
February 24
For a modern and artistic take on Lunar New Year, the LunarFest Concert in Vancouver offers a fresh way to celebrate. Hosted at the Orpheum as part of the LunarFest program, this concert features live performances blending contemporary sounds with cultural influences tied to the Lunar New Year. It is a great option for those who want to celebrate the holiday in a creative and relaxed setting.
Where to park:
Robson Square: 800 Hornby Street
6-minute walk to the venue
This underground garage is open 24/7 and features 330 parking spaces.
Nelson Square: 808 Nelson Street
7-minute walk to venue
This underground lot is open from 6:30am- 9pm and has 238 parking spaces.
Lunar New Year Celebrations in Calgary
Calgary’s Lunar New Year celebrations keep growing every year, and 2026 is shaping up to be another great one.
The Year of the Horse Chinese New Year Festival 2026
February 14&15, 21&22
The Year of the Horse Chinese New Year Festival is one of Calgary’s biggest Lunar New Year celebrations. Hosted at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre, this festival brings together cultural performances, traditional music, lion and dragon dances, and family-friendly activities that welcome the New Lunar Year with energy and excitement. It is designed to be accessible to everyone, whether you are deeply familiar with the traditions or attending for the first time.
Where to park:
220 4 Avenue Southwest
3-minute walk to the venue
This underground garage is open 24/7 and features 76 parking spaces.
Fifth Avenue Place: 420 2 Street Southwest
6-minute walk to venue
This surface lot is open 24/7 and has 791 parking spaces. Payment is available only on-site.
Big Fun Chinese New Year Dinner 2026
February 20
If your idea of celebrating Lunar New Year involves good food and great company, the Big Fun Chinese New Year Dinner 2026 is a perfect fit. This event brings people together for a festive banquet-style dinner that celebrates Chinese New Year traditions through food, conversation, and shared experience. It is a more relaxed way to mark Lunar New Year while still feeling special and meaningful.
Where to park:
TC Energy: 450 1 Street Southwest
3-minute walk to the venue
This underground garage is open 24/7 and features 560 parking spaces. Payment is available only on-site.
The Bow: 500 Centre Street South
4-minute walk to venue
This underground lot is open 24/7 and has 1358 parking spaces. Payment is available only on-site.
Lunar New Year Celebrations in Edmonton
Edmonton offers a cozy but festive way to celebrate the Lunar New Year, with events that mix tradition, culture, and a touch of elegance.
Lunar New Year Celebration at Fairmont Hotel Macdonald
February 20
The Lunar New Year Celebration at Fairmont Hotel Macdonald is one of Edmonton’s most elegant ways to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Canada. Set inside this historic riverside hotel, the event focuses on food, tradition, and atmosphere. Guests are invited to enjoy a special Lunar New Year dining experience inspired by classic Chinese dishes, each chosen for its symbolism of luck, prosperity, and abundance.
Where to park:
ECC West Underground: 10200 102 Street Northwest
10-minute walk to the venue
This underground garage is open 24/7 and features 231 parking spaces.
ECC Preferred: 10025 102A Avenue Northwest
9-minute walk to venue
This underground lot is open 24/7 and has 197 parking spaces. Payment is available only on-site. EV charging is available on-site.
Lunar New Year at the Royal Alberta Museum
February 22
For a more hands-on and family-friendly celebration, Lunar New Year at the Royal Alberta Museum is a great choice. This event brings Lunar New Year traditions into a museum setting with activities designed for all ages. Visitors can expect cultural programming, interactive learning opportunities, and themed experiences that explore the meaning behind Lunar New Year customs.
Where to park:
ECC East: 10020 102A Avenue Northwest
6-minute walk to the venue
This underground garage is open 24/7 and features 958 parking spaces. EV charging is available on-site.
ECC West: 10231 103 Street Northwest
10-minute walk to venue
This underground lot is open 24/7 and has 997 parking spaces.
Lunar New Year Celebrations in Halifax
Halifax may be smaller than some major cities, but its Lunar New Year celebrations are warm, welcoming, and centered around community and food.
Halifax: Chinese New Year Banquet
February 21
The Halifax Chinese New Year Banquet is one of the city’s most traditional Lunar New Year celebrations. Organized by the Halifax Chinese Festival at the Casino Nova Scotia – The Bruce Guthro Theatre, this banquet brings the community together to welcome the new lunar year with food, performances, and shared celebration. It is a classic way to experience Chinese New Year traditions in Halifax, especially if you value cultural connection and community spirit.
Where to park:
Purdy’s Wharf Parkade: 1977 Upper Water Street
2-minute walk to the venue
This 24/7 multi-story lot with 1,073 spaces is a convenient choice. EV charging is available on-site.
Halifax Marriott Harbourfront: 1919 Upper Water Street
3-minute walk to venue
This underground lot is open 24/7 and has 177 parking spaces. Payment is available only on-site. EV charging is available on-site.
Taste Asia 2026 Lunar Edition
February 15
Taste Asia 2026 Lunar Edition is a food-focused Lunar New Year celebration that brings together flavours, culture, and storytelling. Hosted by Off the Eaten Path, this event highlights Asian cuisine while tying in Lunar New Year traditions and symbolism. Guests can expect a curated food experience that celebrates dishes associated with luck, prosperity, and new beginnings.
Where to park:
Bishops Landing: 1475 Lower Water Street
3-minute walk to the venue
This 24/7 surface lot with 44 spaces is a convenient choice.
Salter Lot: 5057 Salter Street
3-minute walk to venue
This surface lot is open 24/7 and has 320 parking spaces.
Conclusion
Lunar New Year celebrations across Canada offer so many ways to welcome the Year of the Horse, whether you are watching a parade, enjoying live performances, or gathering around a table for a festive meal.
Planning ahead helps you enjoy every part of the celebration without the extra stress, especially when it comes to getting there. Before heading out, download the Indigo Neo app to book your parking in advance or use any of the parking links in this guide.
With parking sorted, you can focus on celebrating, connecting, and starting the Lunar New Year on a great note.
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