It’s time to welcome in the Year of the Snake! Lunar New Year is an annual festival of prosperity and renewal, celebrated by both East and South Asian communities around the world and, of course, throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Activities and events include concerts, lion and dragon dances, colourful lanterns, traditional crafts such as calligraphy, and tea ceremonies. Even better, many of the events are free! Celebrate with our guide to Lunar New Year Events in Toronto and the GTA…
Featured Events
Aga Khan Museum
Looking for some activities this Family Day Weekend that are educational, fun and FREE? Gather your whole family to celebrate both the long weekend and the Lunar New Year at the Aga Khan Museum! Presented in partnership with the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto (CCC), families can participate in vibrant activities and enjoy exciting demonstrations.
Get more details here!
Lunar New Year Events — Free & Cheap Events
Toronto Public Library – Performances and Crafts
Date: January 17 — February 8, 2025
Numerous TPL branches across town are hosting events and crafts this month, such as musical performances, story time and origami. (Some events require pre-registration)
Toronto Spring Festival Fireworks Celebration
Date: January 25, 2025
The Toronto Spring Festival Fireworks Celebration blasts into Toronto City Hall’s Nathan Phillips Square for the first time, with a market, food, performances, ice show, and more, and ending with nighttime fireworks.
LunarFest GTA: Lunar Lanterns
Date: January 25 — February 16, 2025
LunarFest GTA lights up Lunar Lanterns outside Unionville’s Varley Art Gallery for a bright start to the Year of the Snake. These lanterns light up the winter and soar through the imaginations of six artists of different cultural backgrounds, all with unique stories.
Markham Museum: Lunar New Year Celebration
Date: January 25-26, 2025
Markham Museum honours Lunar New Year with paper crafts and callligraphy, snake-themed crafts and games, and Mahjong games.
Bata Shoe Museum: Year of the Snake at the BSM
Date: January 26, 2025
Bata Shoe Museum kicks off the year of the Earth Snake with special performances from Lion Dance Toronto, plus crafts, tea ceremony demonstrations, and photo opportunities.
Toronto Chinatown BIA – 2025 Lunar New Year Celebrations
Date: February 1-2, 2025
In the heart of Toronto Chinatown at Spadina & Dundas West, attractions at this year’s public festivities include a live Lion Dance outdoor performance, plus free activities and attractions.
Willowdale Lunar New Year Festival 2025
Date: February 8, 2025
Willowdale City Councillor Lily Cheng hosts a family-friendly and free Lunar New Year Festival at the North York Centre Atrium, featuring diverse vendor booths, games, activities, and performances.
Lunar New Year Events — Markets
One Market Brantford: Lunar New Year
Date: January 23, 2025
Celebrate the joyous Lunar New Year at One Market in Brantford, filled with cultural festivities, delicious food, and exciting performances. Don’t miss your chance to receive a lucky red envelope, symbolizing good luck for the year ahead.
Hey Fun! Lunar New Year Market
Date: January 24-25, 2025
Held at the Toronto Marriott Markham, Hey Fun Market is a gathering celebrating Lunar New Year, full of Asian-owned businesses selling art, snacks, florals and more goodies.
Lunarfest GTA
Date: February 1-2, 2025
LunarFest GTA welcomes the Year of the Snake through arts, culture, and storytelling at the Varley Art Gallery and an artist market at nearby McKay Art Centre, both in Unionville.
Lunar New Year Events — Concerts
Oakville Chinese New Year Show
Date: January 25, 2025
The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts hosts the Oakville Chinese Network as they celebrate with this year’s theme: “I’m Right Implies I Was Wrong Lifetime”.
Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto: 2025 Chinese New Years Community Celebration
Date: January 26, 2025
Taking place at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto, the Chinese New Year Dance Gala includes performances displaying the brightness and festive spirit of the holiday.
NPT Music & Small World Music Series: Chào, Tết TO 2025
Date: January 29, 2025
Celebrate the Year of the Snake with Chào Tết TO 2025 at Toronto’s Paradise Theatre, including authentic Vietnamese traditions, including food, music, culture, photo opportunities, games and tradition.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO): Year of the Snake — A Lunar New Year Celebration
Date: February 8, 2025
Join comedian Dashan for an extraordinary evening performed by the TSO and special guests, playing both classics and favourites such as the “Butterfly Lovers Concerto” plus the ethereal sounds of the guzheng.
Lunar New Year Events — Paid Galas and Festivals
2025 Canadian Chinese and Overseas Chinese Spring Festival Gala
Date: January 11, 2025
At the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, this gala is a memorable evening filled with music, dance, and entertainment. Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of China and experience a showcase of Chinese stories, traditions, and performances by the vibrant Chinese-Canadian community.
Mississauga 2025 Lunar New Year Gala
Date: January 18, 2025
Mississauga Chinese Arts Organization (MCAO) presents the 2025 Mississauga Lunar New Year Gala. This spectacular show features a variety of traditional performances, including a rich tapestry of traditional Chinese folk dance, soul-stirring singing performances, and graceful Taichi demonstrations.
Redleaf Cultural Integration: The Year of the Dragon Celebration
Date: January 18, 2025
This afternoon gala event at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre features an array of performances. In addition, there is a free cultural exhibition in the atrium with interactive displays and live demonstrations.
Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation: Dragon Ball
Date: January 25, 2025
Held downtown at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 2025 marks the 36th anniversary of the Dragon Ball. This annual gala benefits the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care.
Friends of Waterloo Region Museums: Gung Haggis Fat Choy
Date: January 25, 2025
Friends of Waterloo Region Museums hosts a fundraising celebration as a fusion of Chinese New Year and the Scottish Robbie Burns Day! The event includes performances and food from both cultures.
Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto: Spring Festival Banquet
Date: February 1, 2025
The Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto hosts a Spring Festival Banquet the evening after their free community celebration, featuring a reception and festive dinner.
Milton Chinese Canadian Association (MCCA): Chinese New Year Gala
Date: February 1, 2025
Join the Milton Chinese Canadian Association (MCCA) for an evening filled with traditional performances, delicious snacks, and festive decorations to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Kids 5 and under are free!
Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs (ACCE): 2025 ACCE Lunar New Year Celebration
Date: February 5, 2025
Held at Zunyan Fine Dining & Banquet in Markham, guests can don traditional Chinese outfits. Then, enjoy dance and music performances, plus dinner and prizes.
Put away your wallet and discover more free and cheap events in Toronto here!
