10 things to do to embrace Year of the Dragon in York Region, Toronto

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 5, 2024
Scarlett Liu

Feb. 10 is the first day of the Lunar New Year. Shopping malls and community organizations are celebrating one of Asia’s biggest traditional festivals with various activities.

Here’s how you can celebrate the Year of the Dragon through some fun-filled experiences in York Region and Toronto in February:

Markham

CF Markville
Feb. 10, 2 p.m.: A parade with dragons and lions, traditional eye dotting, green grabbing, dragon and lion dance performances, a visit from the God of Fortune, Chinese dance, audience mini games, and VIP guest appearances, as well as a new martial arts performance.

Feb. 11, 3 to 3:20 p.m.: Dragon dance (Centre Court)

Feb. 16, 4 to 6 p.m.: CF Music feat. Valerie Lo duo (Centre Court)

Feb. 18, noon to 12:20 p.m.: Lion dance (Centre Court)

Feb. 18, 2 to 4 p.m.: CF Music feat. Valerie Lo duo (Centre Court)

Pacific Mall
Feb. 10, noon to 4 p.m.: The grand opening ceremony

Feb. 11, 1 to 4 p.m.: Cultural heritage celebration

Feb. 17, noon to 6 p.m.: Lion dance celebration and booths

Markham Community Connect Association
Feb. 4, noon to 3 p.m.: Asian Culture Activities, including calligraphy, painting, paper cutting, tai-chi, dance, hanfu, shadow play, happy fencing.

Location: 371 Alden Rd., Markham

CEFS Centre
Feb. 17, 1 to 3 p.m.: Three Generation Lunar New Year Celebration, featuring live performance, senior calligraphy exhibition, and kids’ activities.

Location: Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School (90 Bur Oak Ave.)

Vaughan
Feb. 4, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Mayor Steven Del Duca and members of council invite residents to celebrate Lunar New Year with fun family-friendly entertainment, musical performances and a traditional lion dance.

Location: 2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.

Richmond Hill
Hillcrest Mall
Feb. 3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Eight interactive booths to learn more about Lunar New Year traditions including lantern making, balloon animals, and riddles.

Newmarket
Upper Canada Mall
Feb. 3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Children’s show with poem readings, Fai Chuen, lion dance, drum dance, hungfu exercise, a Qipao performance showcasing traditional Chinese clothes, and Lunar New Year songs.

Toronto
CF Fairview Mall
Feb. 10, 3 to 5 p.m.: CF Music feat. Calvin Chan and Melody Wang (Apple Court)

Feb. 11, 2 to 3 p.m.: Traditional lion and dragon dance, singing performances, God of Fortune

Feb. 14, 3 to 3:20 p.m.: Lion dance (Apple Court)

Feb. 16, 4 to 6 p.m.: CF Music feat. Calvin Chan duo (Apple Court)

Feb. 18, 3 to 3:20 p.m.: Dragon dance (Apple Court)

Lunar New Year at Scarborough Town Centre
Scarborough Town Centre is the heart of eastern Greater Toronto Area’s Lunar New Year celebrations, with a majestic Year of the Dragon-themed installation, its first-ever Lunar New Year market and two celebratory events featuring lively cultural performances.

Scarborough Town Centre photo
CF Toronto Eaton Centre
Feb. 10, 2 to 4 p.m.: CF Music feat. Mike Liu and Sophy Li (Albert's Way)

Feb. 11, noon to 12:20 p.m.: Dragon dance (Albert's Way)

Feb. 14, noon to 12:20 p.m.: Lion dance (Albert's Way)

Feb. 16, 4 to 6 p.m.: CF Music feat. Melody Wang (Albert's Way)

Feb. 17, 2 to 3 p.m.: Dragon and lion dances throughout the property, traditional eye dotting, green grabbing, dragon and lion dance performances, an appearance by the God of Fortune and a new martial arts performance.

Scarborough Town Centre
For the entire month of February, a majestic life size dragon standing 15-feet high and spanning 22-feet long will live in Centre Court.

Feb. 2 to 4, during regular shopping centre hours in Centre Court: STC's first-ever Lunar New Year MRKT features an array of Asian artisans.

Feb. 3 and Feb. 4, 2 to 3 p.m.: A series of live performances including traditional lion dance, martial arts performance, diverse dance performances such as folk, fan, lantern and water sleeve, and a dragon parade.