A series of family-friendly events held on the third Saturday of each month at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre, offering hands-on activities that celebrate Chinatown’s vibrant heritage.
Every Family Saturday, attendees can expect:
Free admission for youth aged 17 and under
Guided tours of the Chinatown Storytelling Centre
Prize draw to win family-friendly prizes
Chinatown Storytelling Centre
Join us in our cozy space where kids can slow down, get creative, and have fun while the adults shop at the Foo Hung Curios's 'Lucky 8' shopping event! Curl up with books, play board games with friends, and create cute Chinatown-themed pipe cleaner crafts. Then treat yourself to a delicious Bak'd cookie or Boba Run drink!
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Bao are more than just delicious snacks. They’re a window into tradition. These soft, steamed buns have been shared across generations, whether picked up fresh from bustling Chinatown bakeries or prepared at home for special celebrations. From savoury fillings to sweet surprises, bao bring families and communities together.
What's your favourite filling? Come and taste a variety of bao flavours, courtesy of our friends at Sun Fresh Bakery House! Plus enjoy a hands-on bao magnet craft suitable for all the family.
Saturday, October 18, 2025
In this Family Saturdays workshop, you’ll build and decorate your very own bamboo candle lantern, a gorgeous craft that’s as fun to make as it is to display.
Lanterns have long been a symbol of celebration and community in Chinatown, and now you can bring one home with your own creative touch.
Saturday, September 20, 2025
As part of June’s Family Saturdays, join us for a self-guided scavenger hunt connecting the Chinatown Storytelling Centre with our table at the Chinatown Pavilion of the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival! Start your journey at either end and uncover hidden stories and fun clues along the way. Complete the trail to earn a prize—available at both locations!
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Join us to explore the rich traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival through stories, seasonal foods, and hands-on crafts.
You'll get a chance to make an auspicious perfumed sachet— a traditional symbol of good fortune and protection— and enjoy a tasting of sticky rice dumplings (粽子, zung, zongzi) from our friends at Kam Wai Dim Sum, paired with our "Gold Mountain" tea.
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Join award-winning author Paul Yee for a lively reading of The Three Sisters, a beautifully illustrated book featuring artwork by Shaoli Wang. The story will come to life with enchanting melodies from the dizi, guzheng, and pipa - three traditional Chinese instruments featured in the book - performed live by the UBC Chinese Music Ensemble.
After the reading, explore these exquisite instruments up close, then craft your own miniature wooden pipa to take home!
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Giving red envelopes (lai see, hongbao) is a cherished Lunar New Year tradition in Chinatown, symbolizing the exchange of good luck and well wishes for the new year.
Join us for a festive workshop where we’ll repurpose red envelopes to create vibrant Lunar New Year decorations to bring prosperity and good fortune into your home!
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Join us for an interactive storytelling session with award-winning author George Chiang, featuring The Pioneer Adventures of Chen Sing. Based on oral histories shared by Isaac Sing, this captivating tale of friendship and perseverance follows Chen Sing’s adventures in the interior after his railroad-building days. We’ll learn how George turned these precious family stories into a beautifully illustrated novel for young readers. Bring some of your own family photos along to make a beautifully framed family tree to take home!
About George Chiang
George is an award-winning children’s author, director, songwriter, and producer. Known for the acclaimed musical Golden Lotus, which won over 60 international film awards, he also received recognition for his illustrated youth publications, The Railroad Adventures of Chen Sing and The Pioneer Adventures of Chen Sing, and his co-authored The Longest Shot: How Larry Kwong Changed the Face of Hockey. His theater career includes performances across Canada, notably with the Stratford Festival, and he’s appeared in film and TV roles, such as in Disney’s Eloise at the Plaza.
Saturday, November 16, 2024
11:00 - 11:30 AM Storytelling with George Chiang
11:30 - 1:00 PM Family tree drop-in craft activity
Come join artist Donna Seto for a creative journey through Vancouver’s historic Chinatown on Saturday, October 19!
Donna’s stunning watercolour illustrations capture the charm and spirit of iconic businesses like Ho Ho’s Restaurant, Cathay Importers, and Ming Wo Cookware. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll have the chance to bring Chinatown’s buildings to life through your own colourful drawings and transform them into unique magnets —a perfect keepsake to remember your artistic adventure!
Donna is a Vancouver-based writer, self-taught artist, and occasional academic, with a deep connection to Chinatown from her childhood. She’s currently working on an illustrated book about Vancouver’s Chinatown—set to release in 2025!
All materials will be provided, and whether you’re a seasoned artist or just love to doodle, this workshop is for everyone!
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Join author Evelyn Sue Wong for the launch of her latest illustrated children’s book, Ready to Fly!, based on the true story of her father Robert Shun Wong who built a single-seat airplane in the heart of Vancouver’s Chinatown in the 1930s.
Enjoy an interactive storytelling session and build a model airplane to take home!
Book illustrations by Sara Ang.
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Did you know that brightly coloured lanterns symbolize hope, prosperity, and good fortune? ????
Join us on August 17 for a colourful lantern making workshop where you’ll get a chance to make a beautiful “suncatcher” lantern and learn about the many types of lanterns seen around Chinatown on festival days!
Saturday, August 17, 2024
Did you know that firecrackers were used to ward off evil spirits in the past?
Come learn and explore the vibrant history of firecrackers in Vancouver’s Chinatown on Saturday, July 20, 2024! You’ll have a chance to make your own decorative firecrackers and see our colourful collection of vintage firecracker labels.
Saturday, July 20, 2024
Join us on Saturday, June 15 from 11am - 1pm to go on a cross-cultural adventure of songs and stories with the swirling sounds of ancient Chinese instruments like the erhu, suona, and guzheng!
The 2024 Juno-nominated singer Ginalina (@ginalinamusic) and talented musicians of the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble (@vancouverchinesemusic) will host a lively performance and demonstration where youth of all ages can hold the instruments and try their hand at playing them!
The performance will start at 11am. Following that, you can join us in playing the instruments!
Saturday, June 15, 2024
Join us for a lively celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival, a tradition rich with history, stories, and seasonal customs. Discover the legend of Qu Yuan and the festival’s cultural significance through engaging activities and tastings.
You’ll have the chance to create your own auspicious perfumed sachet, believed to bring good luck, and enjoy a tasting of sticky rice dumplings (粽子, zung, zongzi) paired with our signature “Gold Mountain” tea.
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Join us for a vibrant celebration of Cantonese Opera, one of the most colourful and deeply rooted traditions in Chinatown. Discover the rich history and cultural significance of this captivating art form that has been cherished for generations.
We’ll showcase a selection of exquisite opera artefacts from our collection, offering a closer look at the intricate costumes, delicate accessories, and timeless stories they represent. Enjoy listening to traditional Cantonese opera melodies that bring these stories to life, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the performance art.
To make the experience even more memorable, we’ll guide you through a hands-on activity where you can create your very own opera headdress, inspired by the elaborate designs worn by performers.
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Join us at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre for a special drop-in session with the multi-talented Serena Chu, who will guide you in designing your own folding fan.
Serena is a visual artist, art educator specializing in contemporary ceramic tableware, and a digital designer known for creating custom life-size colouring murals for events and festivals. You may have seen her vibrant utility boxes and murals around Downtown.
Community engagement is at the heart of Serena’s work, and she loves inspiring others through the joy of creating art.
All materials will be provided, with one fan per person. Don’t miss this chance to meet Serena and create your own unique folding fan.
Saturday, March 3, 2024