Light Up Chinatown! festival returns Aug. 8-9 with 20,000 visitors and food pop-ups
The annual two-day Chinatown festival features live performances, exclusive food collaborations, a passport program with prizes including Bruno Mars tickets, and 16-block community programming.
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Light Up Chinatown! returns Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9 with two days of live performances, exclusive food collaborations, and community programming expected to draw over 20,000 visitors to Vancouver's historic neighborhood.
The festival takes place on the 500-block of Columbia Street from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Entry is free.
Highlights include food pop-ups beyond the festival perimeter: Beaucoup Bakery and Chinatown BBQ are collaborating on Roasted Pork Quiche at 130 E Pender St. starting at noon; Say Hey and Dicky's Dumps team up for Meatball Dumplings at 156 E Pender St. from 11 a.m.; DD Mau, New Town Bakery, and Keem Ice Cream are creating The Chinatown Affogato at 130 E Pender St. from 11:30 a.m.; and Foo Hung Curios and Buttermere Patisserie are offering White Rabbit Bubble Tea Roll at 168 E Pender St. from noon — all available until sold out.
Buttermere Patisserie founder Jamie Tung returns to Chinatown for a two-day pop-up baking out of Torafuku's kitchen, serving exclusive White Rabbit Bubble Tea Rolls alongside Asian-inspired cookies and tea-inspired macarons. Tung previously ran a business in the neighbourhood before closing it.
At the Odlum Brown Main Stage, performances include the Hon Hsing Athletic Club, Goh Ballet, Marie Hui, The Phonix Band, Kristina Lao, Now or Never Crew, Krystle Dos Santos, Silk Road Music, Jin Wah Sing Cantonese Opera, and CircusWest.
Visitors can participate in the free Chinatown Passport Program across 16 blocks, collecting stamps for a chance to win prizes including Bruno Mars Romantic tour tickets (two grand prizes), $250 Vessi vouchers (six winners), Cirque du Soleil tickets (six), Lululemon gift cards valued at $300 (six winners), Capilano Suspension Bridge passes valued at $312, and an Arc'teryx Alpha FL 20 Backpack valued at $320.
A Community Kids Zone supported by the Canucks for Kids Fund features mini-golf and family-friendly activities. Adults can enjoy a licensed 19+ bar sponsored by Haywire Winery, Strathcona Beer Co., and Tao Hard Seltzer, plus a Boba Run drink stall. The Vancouver Police Department will provide increased security measures.
Before you go
When and where is Light Up Chinatown! happening?
Light Up Chinatown! takes place on Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9, 2026 on the 500-block of Columbia Street in Vancouver. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Is there an admission fee?
Entry to Light Up Chinatown! is free.
What food collaborations are happening at the festival?
Four food pop-ups are featured: Beaucoup Bakery and Chinatown BBQ are collaborating on Roasted Pork Quiche at 130 E Pender St. starting at noon; Say Hey and Dicky's Dumps are serving Meatball Dumplings at 156 E Pender St. from 11 a.m.; DD Mau, New Town Bakery, and Keem Ice Cream are creating The Chinatown Affogato at 130 E Pender St. from 11:30 a.m.; and Foo Hung Curios and Buttermere Patisserie are offering White Rabbit Bubble Tea Roll at 168 E Pender St. from noon. All items are available until sold out.
What prizes can you win through the Chinatown Passport Program?
The free Chinatown Passport Program, available across 16 blocks, offers prizes including two Bruno Mars Romantic tour tickets (grand prize), $250 Vessi vouchers (six winners), Cirque du Soleil tickets (six), $300 Lululemon gift cards (six winners), Capilano Suspension Bridge passes valued at $312, and an Arc'teryx Alpha FL 20 Backpack valued at $320.
