Family Saturdays

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
10% off at neighbouring restaurants Chinatown BBQ and DD Mau

Upcoming Events

Temporary Closure

The Chinatown Storytelling Centre and Foo Hung Curios will be closed for renovations until early April.

During this time, Foo Hung Curios will have a temporary pop-up at Chinatown Vintage, and their online store remains open at foohungcurios.com for all your shopping needs.

We look forward to welcoming you back soon with refreshed spaces and new experiences. Thank you for your support!

Chinatown Storytelling Centre Logo in white

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Past Family Saturdays

Crafting Lunar New Year Decorations with Red Envelopes

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!

January 18th, 2025

Storytelling with George Chiang

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

Painting Chinatown with Donna Seto

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


Ready to Fly! with Evelyn Sue Wong

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

Making a Suncatcher Lanter

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!⁠

August 17, 2024

The Art of Firecrackers

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.⁠

July 20th, 2024

Getting to Know Chinese Folk Musical Instruments

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!

June 15th, 2024

Dragonboat Festival

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.

May 18th, 2024

Make a Cantonese Opera Headdress

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.

April 20th, 2024

Fan Making with Artist Serena Chu

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.

March 3rd, 2024

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