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Celebrating Lunar New Year, aka Chinese New Year, is an old Toronto tradition. Many festivals, galas, parties and feasts take place in Toronto’s Chinatown. The whole neighborhood turns red and the air is filled with drum beats and fireworks and firecracker bangs.
Lunar New Year spans many cultures. In China it’s known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival. Korea celebrates Lunar New Year as Seollal, Vietnam as Tet, Tibet as Losar and it’s Tsagaan Sar in Mongolia.
Lunar New Year is full of traditions, but every country does it a little differently. At the heart of every celebration is the bringing of good luck for the new year, spending time with family, eating delicious food and New Year decorations.
If you’d like to get Lunar New Year decorations, click here to get some with savings and many with free shipping.
2023 Toronto Chinatown New Year Celebrations
The Toronto Chinatown Business Improvement Area is having a massive Lunar New Year Celebration on January 21 and 22, 2023 at both the Chinatown Center and the Dragon City Mall. The traditional Lion Dance will kick off the celebration. This will be followed by interactive activities and performances, including
- Chinese Orchestra
- Chinese Folk Dance
- Zodiac Fortune Telling
- Lucky Draw
- Chinese New Year Cooking
- Chinese Calligraphy
- New Year Activities
- Cultural Booths
The Celebration of the Year of the Rabbit will run from 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.
There will also be a “Mahjong King” Competition with cash prizes up to $500. Lots of local vendors will be there, making for an excellent shopping experience.
UTCAA 2023 Lunar New Year Gala
The University of Toronto Chinese Alumni Association’s 2023 Lunar New Year Gala will be held on January 14, 2023, at Crown Prince Fine Dining & Banquet. Enjoy amazing food, meet new people, win prizes and celebrate the Year of the Rabbit.
Free Lunar New Year Cooking Class
Food Basics is sponsoring a free Lunar New Year Cooking Class. Learn about the history of dumplings and why they’re made and eaten during the Lunar New Year. Learn how to make pan fried dumplings from scratch.
Lindance 2023 Chinese New Year Dance Gala
Lindance 2023 Chinese New Year Dance Gala will be held on Sunday, January 15, 2023, from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Chinese Cultural Center of Greater Toronto. Enjoy seeing dance groups performing a variety of Chinese dances.
Tastes Of SEA 2023 Lunar New Year
Tastes Of South East Asia (SEA) Lunar New Year Festival will be happening on January 13, 14 and 15, 2023, at International Centre Hall in Mississauga. This is a one of a kind festival featuring the finest art, culture and cuisine of South, East and Southeast Asia. The program will include authentic cuisine, entertainment for kids, live concerts, multi-cultural parades, fashion shows, cultural decorations, community karaoke and dancing. A free Lucky Gift will be given to the first 1,000 people who purchase tickets.
2023 Lunar New Year Signature Gala
Celebrate Lunar New Year in a spectacular experience that celebrates Chinese culture and heritage through the arts. Enjoy curated festive foods, desserts and beverage stations. There will be live music and great entertainment. This is happening on January 28, 2023, at 8 pm at Shangri-La Toronto.
If you’d like to dress for some of these celebrations, remember the color red is supposed to bring you good fortune. Click here to find some great 2023 Lunar New Year of the Rabbit shirts.
Toronto Hotels
If you’d like to visit Toronto during the Lunar New Year celebrations, you should consider the following hotels. They are offering discounted rates which could save you some money.
- 1 Hotel Toronto 40% Discount
- The St. Regis Toronto 33% Discount
- Chelsea Hotel, Toronto 20% Discount
- Fairmont Royal York 20% Discount
- Sandman Signature Toronto Airport Hotel 20% Discount
- Park Hyatt Toronto 20% Discount
- King Blue Hotel Toronto 20% Discount
- Hotel X Toronto by Library Hotel Collection 20% Discount
- Downtown Toronto Luxury Condos 20% Discount
- The Drake Hotel 20% Discount
- Sandman Signature Mississauga Hotel 20% Discount
- Town Inn Suites Toronto 17% Discount
- The Broadview Hotel 15% Discount
- One King West Hotel & Residence 15% Discount
- GLOBALSTAY. Fancy Downtown Apartments 15% Discount
- The Omni King Edward Hotel 15% Discount
- St. Annes Suites 15% Discount
- Gladstone House 15% Discount
- The Broadview Hotel 15% Discount
- GLOBALSTAY. Modern NOrth York Condos 15% Discount
- Cambridge Suites Toronto 14% Discount
- Old Mill Toronto 10% Discount
- Monte Carlo Inn Vaughn Suites 10% Discount
- Madison Manor Boutique Hotel 6% Discount
- Liberty Suites Hotel 5% Discount
Toronto Asian Restaurants
And if you’d like a culinary celebration of the Lunar New Year, you should try the following restaurants. They were chosen as the Top 15 Asian restaurants in the greater Toronto area by the users of TripAdvisor.
- Pai Northern Thai Kitchen
- Miku
- DaiLo
- Khao San Road
- Banh Mi Boys
- Lee Restaurant
- Ramen Isshin
- Mother’s Dumplings
- Ki
- Salad King Restaurant
- Kimchi Korea House
- Sushi Ya Japanese
- Nami Japanese Seafood Restaurant
- Sansotei Ramen
- Golden Thai Restaurant
