Celebrating 2025 Lunar Year in Downtown New West
The Lunar Year — also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival — is one of the most important festivals — if not the most important — celebrated every year across Asia, including China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, and other Asian communities worldwide. The festivities start with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and end 15 days later with the Lantern Festival, marking the year’s first full moon.
Every Lunar Year is associated with an aminal from the Chinese zodiac. This year’s festival starts on January 29th and it’s the year of the Wood Snake, which promises to bring growth, harmony, and transformation in people’s personal and professional lives.
Celebrating in Downtown New West
The Spring Festival is a time for reuniting with family and loved ones and celebrating the beginning of a new year. Many important traditions happen throughout these 15 days, such as visiting family and friends, gift-giving, watching the lion dance troupes as they expel evil spirits, and lighting the traditional paper lanterns on the first full moon to let go of the past and welcome the new year.
Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Downtown New Westminster with our curated list of local gems! From kid-friendly workshops to authentic Asian restaurants, we’ve handpicked the best spots in our community for you to welcome the Year of the Wooden Snake on in style!
Kid-friendly Activities aT kINDER bOOKS
Location: 810 Quayside Dr #101
Origami Workshop with artist Yuki Anthony
When: Saturday, January 18th
Time: 1 pm - 2 pm
Location: Kinder Books - 810 Quayside Dr #10
Join artist Yuki Anthony for an origami workshop tailored for kids 5 years and up. This one-hour workshop will teach the art of paper folding to transform them into snake-themed masterpieces in celebration of the Year of the Wooden Snake. To join the workshop, parents must register their kids in advance and pay an $8 non-refundable registration fee (materials included).
Lantern-Making Workshop with artist Lee Chin
When: Saturday, January 25th
Time: 11 am - 12 pm
Location: Kinder Books - 810 Quayside Dr #10
Learn how to make colourful lanterns to welcome the Chinese New Year with prosperity and light. This one-hour workshop, led by local artist Lee Chin, is designed for children 6 years or older and takes place at Kinder Books. The non-refundable registration fee per child is $8 (materials included) and parents must register in advance to guarantee a seat for their kid at the workshop.
MiniSo: Budget-Friendly Finds for the Lunar New Year
Location: 800 Carnarvon St #348
Hours: Mon - Sun: 11 am - 7 pm
Looking for thoughtful and budget-friendly gifts to pamper yourself and your loved ones this Spring Festival? Look no further than MiniSo!
Located on the third level of the New West Skytrain Station, this Chinese global chain store store offers something for everyone. Explore their wide selection of adorable trinkets, including keychains, snow globes, and stationery featuring beloved themes like Harry Potter, Snoopy, Disney characters, and Hello Kitty. You’ll also find self-care products, decorations, tasty snacks, cozy plushies, unique cups, and so much more. It’s the paradise for unique gift shopping!
Enjoy an Asian-inspired Gastronomic Journey
Big Way Hot Pot
Location: #344, 800 Carnarvon St,
Hours: Mon - Sun: 11 am - 2 am
Located inside the New West Skytrain Station, Big WayHot Pot is a one-of-a-kind interactive dining experience. What sets them apart from other hot pot restaurants is their build-your-own approach, where you get to pick the ingredients from their refrigerated aisles, from premium meats and seafood to various vegetables, noodles, and condiments. Once you've filled your golden pot with all your favorite ingredients, simply select a broth to cook your choices.
The staff will take care of the cooking, and when your hot pot is ready, their futuristic assistant robot will deliver it right to your table— perfectly prepared for you to enjoy every delicious bite and slurp! And don’t forget to enjoy the complimentary ice cream for dessert!
During Happy Hour — Mondays to Thursdays, from 11 am to 5 pm — you also get a complimentary iced tea. Yum! So, if you’re looking for a place to savour a traditional and flavourful Asian meal this Lunar New Year, head to Big Way Hot Pot!
Celebrate with Sweet Delights from Cake It Easy
Cake it easy
Location: 360-800 Carnarvon St
Hours: Wed - Sat: 11 am - 5 pm | Sun: 11:30 am - 5 pm
Looking to satisfy your sweet tooth? Look no further than Cake It Easy, Downtown New West's newest dessert hotspot. This Filipino-inspired bakery is famous for its ube creations that will leave you coming back for more!
From cupcakes to layered cakes, cheesecakes, and flans, their menu celebrates the rich and creamy flavor of ube—a staple in Filipino desserts. Beyond Ube, Cake It Easy also offers delicious cookies, bubble waffles, and coffee drinks. It's the perfect spot to pick up something unique to share with family and friends as you gather to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Sip and Win Big with Chatime's Promotion
Chatime
Location: 51 6th St
Hours: Mon-Sun: 11:30 am - 10 pm
If you're a fan of bubble tea, you can’t miss Chatime in Downtown New West this Lunar New Year! Known for their delicious bubble teas, milk teas, and refreshing fruit drinks, Chatime is a go-to spot for anyone craving a sweet and satisfying drink.
To make the festivities even more exciting, Chatime is celebrating with a special Purple Pocket promotion. Here’s how it works: when you purchase two large Chatime drinks, you’ll receive a Purple Pocket—your chance to win one of 200,000 food and drink prizes and even an all-inclusive 7-night vacation for two to Cancun, Mexico!
Celebrate the Year of the Snake with us!
Embrace the festivities and the rich cultural diversity of our community by exploring all that Downtown New West has to offer. From ki-friendly workshops and thoughtful gifts to delicious food and drinks, there are many incredible local businesses to support while celebrating the Year of the Snake.
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for daily tips on the best places to visit and exciting events happening in our community. Let’s make this Lunar New Year a memorable one—filled with new experiences and support for the local businesses that make our community special.
Here’s to a prosperous and joyful Year of the Snake in Downtown New West!
