Economic Revitalization

Light Up Chinatown!

Crowd of people attending a festival with colorful paper lanterns and flags hanging overhead. There is a stage in the background with a banner that reads 'Light Up Chinatown' and tents along the sides.

Overview

Light Up Chinatown! presented by RBC is a celebration of the living heritage and diverse history of Vancouver’s Chinatown, produced by the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation.

This annual festival featuring live entertainment, limited-edition food collaborations, and special offerings from merchants takes place at 500-block Columbia Street and neighbouring streets, covering 16 blocks of Vancouver’s Chinatown. The goal of Light Up Chinatown! is to welcome visitors to Chinatown and support one of the last historically Asian neighbourhoods in our country.

lightupchinatown.ca, @lightupchinatown

25,000+

Visitors
welcomed to the festival in 2025

215

Chinatown Businesses Engaged
through the Chinatown Passport program

18

Live Performances
over two days, by renowned local artists

A group of five diverse friends smiling and chatting at an outdoor festival, with colorful lanterns hanging overhead and people in the background.
A band performing on stage at an event, with a woman singing and a man playing saxophone, surrounded by other musicians, against a pink floral backdrop.

Time Out Worldwide

Light Up Chinatown! 2026 brings epic eats to Vancouver

Vancouver Sun

Light Up Chinatown! 2026, Presented by RBC returns for its Sixth Annual celebration of Chinatown

Vancouver Is Awesome

Free Light Up Chinatown! festival spotlights best of historic Vancouver neighbourhood

Press

Back to Our Economic Initiatives →