VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vancouver’s Chinatown welcomes everyone to come visit the historic neighbourhood for Vancouver Chinatown Foundation’s fourth annual Light Up Chinatown! festival. Presented by RBC, Light Up Chinatown! is a free two-day festival and will open Saturday, August 24, from 11 am - 9 pm and Sunday, August 25, from 11 am - 6 pm on the 500 block of Columbia Street.
New this year, get ready to savour 10 exclusive street food creations handpicked by 10 renowned Vancouver chefs with a special connection in the area. Pre-sold in sets of 5 tickets, visitors can sample these unique dishes served in Hawker’s Lane food stalls. These items are created by culinary masters like Roger Ma of Boulevard Kitchen, Brandon Grossutti and Wesley Young of Pidgin, Will Lew of Pacific Reach, Clay Yen of Juke Fried Chicken & Rib, Sharon Chan of Mama in the Kitchen, Kim Tran of DD Mau, Sean Heather of Irish Heather, Mark Singson of Mabuhay, William Liu of Kam Wai Dim Sum, and Alain Chow of Bao Bei.
With the success of last year’s food collaboration, Light Up Chinatown! will also have six food collaborations this year with Chinatown BBQ and Beaucoup Bakery, DD Mau and the Boss Bakery, Foo Hung Curios and Hype Chocolate, Kam Wai Dim Sum and Memphis Blues BBQ House, Mello and Salt, and Treasure Green Tea Company and Tall Shadow Bakery.
Also returning this year is the Passport Program, which encourages visitors to explore the neighbourhood and collect stamps from local small businesses. This year, participants have a chance to win prizes, including 2 VIP tickets to the premier opening of Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO, a signed Quinn Hughes Vancouver Canucks Jersey, monthly Transit Passes, an Aritzia Gift Certificate, a Mission Hill Lunar New Year Wine set and more.
“Light Up Chinatown! is a celebration of Chinatown, welcoming everyone to visit and support all of the remarkable businesses that are the backbone of this community,” said Carol Lee, Chair of the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation. “The excellence and culture of Chinatown is on full display during the festival. It’s an atmosphere of excitement and positivity in a Chinatown of the past, present, and future. I’m really excited for everyone to join us again this year!”
In addition to the culinary collaborations, Light Up Chinatown! features live entertainment, there will also be a dedicated kids' zone, cultural performances, and interactive activities for all ages. Visitors can enjoy traditional lion dances, martial arts demonstrations, walking tours and music performances throughout the festival. The festival is fully licensed, allowing people 19+ with valid ID to enjoy beer, wine, and spirits inside the festival grounds. Vancouver’s secret speakeasy, Laowai, is also creating a special Light Up Chinatown! signature cocktail for the first time.
Safety continues to be a top priority for the festival. The Vancouver Police Department is providing additional foot patrol officers around the neighbourhood, and there will be increased security measures in and around the festival grounds.
For more information about the Light Up Chinatown! and the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, please visit www.chinatownfoundation.org.
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About Vancouver Chinatown Foundation
The Vancouver Chinatown Foundation is a registered charity committed to the revitalization of Chinatown, one of Canada’s most iconic neighbourhoods in the historic heart of Vancouver. The Foundation builds more resilient and inclusive communities by promoting the well-being of those in need, while preserving Chinatown’s irreplaceable cultural heritage. Learn more at chinatownfoundation.org
