Ways to Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Markham
With the scent of fresh dumplings filling the air and lion dance performances taking place across the city, one of the best times to visit Markham is during the Lunar New Year. Thanks to the city’s large Asian population, it’s one of the best places in Ontario to celebrate. For those looking for unique things to do in the winter I highly recommend planning a day trip to take in the celebrations for Lunar New Year in Markham.
You’ll find countless events taking place, that include family friendly activities where kids can learn about the Chinese culture as well as incredible performances. There’s plenty of restaurants serving up specials for the Chinese New Year as well as performances, like at Dragon Legend. One of my favourite things to do is visit the cute cafes to indulge in some tasty treats, like Lunar New Year macarons at Patisserie Fleur.
After checking out a number of events and places, I’ve rounded up the best things to do for the Chinese New Year in Markham.
6 Best Places to Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Markham
Dine at Dragon Legend
Be transport to the East when you dine out at Dragon Legend. This stunning restaurant is elaborately decorated with high ceilings, red lanterns, and exceptional attention to detail.
Dragon Legend offers lunch and dinner buffet service. The menu includes a wide array of authentic Chinese fare, with everything from seafood to sushi. Their most popular is the Peking duck station! And don’t forget the dessert station!
With the sheer volume of food, especially seafood, it’s a great value for your money, especially when visiting for lunch during the week.
It’s also a great place to visit during the Lunar New Year celebrations! Enjoy dining on authentic Chinese food while being entertained by weekly performances.
Insider Tip: Reservations are a must, especially for weekends.
LunarFest at the Varley Art Gallery
One of the top things to do in Unionville is visit the Varley Art Gallery! I go every time I’m in the area and I love their special events. And one of the best events in Markham for the Lunar New Year is the gallery’s LunarFest.
This two-day festival celebrates art and culture. And it all starts in front of the gallery with the display of Lunar Lanterns. I love seeing these every year, it’s the perfect pop of colour in the winter.
Along with various exhibits, the gallery hosts workshops where you can make crafts. For 2025, since it’s the Year of the Snake, all of the workshops involve the snake. Kids will love the crafting room!
There are also live performances and film screenings. I was blown away when I got to see En Cello play!
I love the small artisan market that features local artists selling a mix of items. You’ll find things like plushies, art and of course, Lunar New Year-themed accessories. It’s located in the McKay Art Centre that’s a few doors down from the gallery. Fans of the Group of Seven will know it as where FH Varley once lived.
The best part is that it’s free to visit!
Event Dates: February 1 & 2, 2025
Pacific Mall
One of the best places to visit in Markham is the Pacific Mall. As Canada’s largest indoor Asian shopping mall, it’s also a great place to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
In addition to its over 360 stores, that include everything from clothing to food, the Pacific Mall boasts a number of events and decorations. Events typically take place over the weekend.
I highly recommend making a day of it! Come for lunch at one of the many food stalls. A popular one is QQ Noodle King. Then take in the celebrations.
Event highlights include Lion Dance performances, which are my favourite. Interestingly, they are said to ward off evil spirits and bring prosperity. If you’ve never seen it, it’s incredible! I was blown away by the aerobatic dance and the agility of the the performers.
There are also lucky bag giveaways, each filled with goodies, and red envelope giveaways. But get a spot near the stage early as the crowds start within an hour of the show. Or head to the third floor for fewer crowds and look down.
Another popular Markham event for the Lunar New Year that takes place at the Pacific Mall is the New Year Marketplace. It features a wide array of items that include festive décor and food.
Event Dates: February 1, 2 & 8, 2025
Patisserie Fleur
With so many amazing cafes in Markham, the options are nearly endless. But if you’re looking for a great café to go to for Lunar New Year desserts then I recommend Patisserie Fleur.
Best known for their stunning cakes, this French inspired pastry shop has plenty of New Year treats. When it comes to a great treat for the whole family, order one of their Prosperity Blossom cakes. This orange pound cake is topped with chocolate decorations that are New Year themed.
Patisserie Fleur also a large box set that has a wide variety of treats that include tarts, cookies and more. I couldn’t resist grabbing one of their Lucky Kitty grab bags, which has a similar selection to the large box set but on a smaller scale. I also tried the Lunar New Year macarons, which were so delicious.
It’s a great place to grab some New Year goodies to go as well as to sit and enjoy a drink with treat inside. I love that they use local coffee roaster Hatch. You’ll find a small selection of drinks, including things like lattes and Americanos.
Insider Tip: There’s a small parking lot to the east of the shop where you can park for up to 3 hours while you visit.
First Markham Place
Definitely overshadowed by the famous Pacific Mall, I think the First Markham Place is a gem! This large mall also is filled with over 180 Asian stores, restaurants and other food shops.
As soon as you enter the mall, you’ll find plenty of Lunar New Year decorations, from hanging red lanterns to twinkling trees. The main draw for this mall is the food court!
The food court at the First Markham Place mall is lined with over 20 take-out shops that sell everything from authentic Chinese food to treats like cakes and baked goods.
For the best food check out KS BBQ & Noodles House or Excellent BBQ House. But be warned, you’ll have to wait in line, but it’ll be worth it for their epic portion sizes and mouth-watering dishes. If you’re looking for a treat, head to the Markham Bakery Café. For the Lunar New Year they have an array of items, like the lucky kitty box that comes with a delicious lotus flower and sesame seed bites.
First Markham Place also hosts a number of must-visit Lunar New Year events in Markham. Head to the mall the night before the new year to celebrate with a countdown. Other events include a visit from the God of Fortune and a Lion Dance performance.
Don’t forget to check out their Chinese New Year Sidewalk Sale that runs for over 2 weeks, from mid-January through the first week of February. It’s the perfect spot to get some festive décor and goodies like red envelopes and more.
Event Dates: January 28 & 30 and February 9, 2025
Markham Museum
A great place to enjoy Markham Lunar New Year celebrations with the whole family is at the museum. The Markham Museum hosts a number of fun family-friendly events throughout the year.
The museum’s Lunar New Year Celebrations events is another weekend event. And the best part is that it’s free!
It’s the perfect spot for kids (and adults) to learn about the Chinese cultures through a series of activities. Visitors can enjoy a game of Mahjong, try their hand at calligraphy and Chinese paper cutting.
My favourite is paper folding, known as Zhezhi. I still remember when I was a kid and first learning the art of paper folding from my mom’s best friend. This 2000 year old art form is fun for everyone.
Insider tip: As soon as tickets are available, I highly recommend grabbing some. They sell out fast, since it’s a free event.
Event Dates: January 25 & 26, 2025
A little about the Lunar New Year
One the most important celebrations in the Chinese culture is the Lunar New Year. Also known as the Spring Festival and the Chinese New Year, it typically takes place in late January through the middle of February. In 2025, it’s on January 29 and it’s the year of the snake.
The calendar cycles through the 12 animals of the zodiac. Each one represents something different. The full list includes snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, pig, rat, ox, tiger, rabbit and dragon.
Unlike the traditional New Year festivities that take place the night of December 31. The Lunar New Year often has multiple celebrations taking place over the course of 2 weeks.
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Celebrating the Lunar New Year is a great way to beat the winter blues, explore new places, and most importantly learn more about the Chinese culture. And the best place to do that, is in Markham!
This post was created in partnership with Central Counties Tourism. But all opinions expressed and experiences are my own.
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