The Lunar New Year starts on Monday February 8. This marks the start of a fifteen day festival and holiday. Celebrations have started around the world as we say goodbye to the Year of the Sheep and hello to the year of the Fire Monkey. 

"We wish our members and their families a very happy and prosperous Lunar New Year," says BCGEU President Stephanie Smith. "We wish you luck, good health and good fortune for the year ahead." 

China, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Singapore and many other Asian countries observe Lunar New Year as a national holiday. Due to migration, festivals marking the new year now take place throughout the world. For immigrants and emigrants, this is a time every year where families can come together to share food and celebrate the coming year.  People honour the Lunar New Year in many different ways, but the common theme is family reunion and celebration.

An estimated 1.4 billion people around the world will be celebrating Lunar New Year in 2016 by spending time with family and participating in feasts, parades, dragon dances, gift exchanges, and community celebrations. 

According to Chinese astrology, those born in the year of the Monkey are said to possess such character traits as curiosity, mischievousness, and cleverness. Forever playful, Monkeys are the masters of practical jokes. They can, however, be easily frustrated by delays, tend to look down on others and have a fast-flaring temper. 

There are a number of Lunar New Year events and parades taking place around the province. Below is a sampling of what's going on – we encourage you to join in the festivities in your community.

• LunarFest 2016 – with events happening in Vancouver, Courtenay and Toronto 

Courtenay

• Lunar New Year Festival 

Prince George 

• 2016 Chinese New Year Party 

Richmond

• Richmond Chinese Community Society (RCCS) Lunar New Year Celebration 
• Free Chinese New Year Event for the Whole Family (Dharma Drum)
• More events in Richmond can be found here 

Surrey

•  2016 Chinese New Year Gala Celebration 

Vancouver

• The Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Parade will return for the 43rd year on Sunday, February 14, 2016. This signature event of Vancouver's Chinatown will feature lion dances, cultural dance troupes, marching bands, martial arts performances and much more 
• The Year of the Monkey Celebration at International Village
• UBC Centennial Lunar New Year Festival
• List of Vancouver Chinese New Year 2016 events

Victoria

• Ring in the Year of the Monkey in Canada's oldest Chinatown