This year Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year, is on February 8. Toronto has plenty of family-fun activities to celebrate, including dance performances, cultural festivals and events and lots of great food. It’s the Year of The Monkey!
Years of The Monkey: 1908 1920 1932 1944 1956 1968 1980 1992 2004 and 2016.
What does that mean? Well, if you’re born on one of the years above, according to the Chinese zodiac, you are the ninth animal from their twelve-animal cycle. Monkeys are said to be clever, sociable, gentle, and enthusiastic, but with selfish and jealous tempers.
Get out there and celebrate the Lunar New Year and the Year of The Monkey with one of the many great events below:
CNY Celebrations 2016
For an entire weekend of fun, visit Market Village in Markham for the CNY Celebrations 2016 event. Activities and entertainment include Chinese calligraphy, dancing, traditional arts and crafts, opera, a lion dance, martial arts, cultural drumming, and multi-cultural performances. It will be an unforgettable experience for the whole family. February 5–7
Toronto Library Lunar New Year Activities and Events
The Toronto Library has tons of great Chinese New Year activities for all ages. Create a special craft at the Pape/Danforth or Jones branches with the younger kids. And if you’re looking for a party, the Lillian H. Smith branch is having an all-ages Chinese New Year festival, which includes an amazing origami and puppet show, while the Wychwood location party will have music, stories and fun for the little ones. Dates vary by location
Chinatown Lunar New Year Celebration
Every year the Toronto Chinatown Business Improvement Area (Chinatown BIA) throws a big party to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Celebrate the year of the monkey with a parade with lion and dragon dancing, Chinese opera, martial arts demonstrations, origami folding, calligraphy and other traditional Chinese performances. The exact details are not available yet, so please check back on their website closer to the day.
TSO’s Chinese New Year Musical Celebration
Head over to Roy Thomson Hall with your big kids to see the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s performance The Year of the Monkey: A Chinese New Year Celebration. The third annual music celebration combines traditional Chinese music with classic western styles for a unique musical experience. February 13
ROM Big Weekend
The ROM is also hosting a Lunar New Year celebration event. Big Weekend: Lunar New Year at the ROM invites guests to participate in the lion dance and other traditions from different cultures around the world. February 13–14
Lunarfest at Harbourfront
Later this month head down to Harbourfront for Lunarfest. There are tons of great activities and ample entertainment planned for a weekend of fun, including themed crafts, fortune-telling games, exhibitions, culinary delights from Asia, and dance, drum and musical performances. February 20–21
READ MORE LIKE THIS:
- Toronto Fun With Kids February 2016
- Family Activities for Indoor Winter Days
- 9 Indoor Day Trips for Winter
Keep informed with everything going on in Toronto with our Event Listings and plan your weekends and evenings using our After School Programs and Weekend Activities in Toronto directory.
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