Canada Wire | Lead Editor Dispatch
Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Galloping Into Prosperity: Canada Welcomes the Year of the Horse
Across the country, Canadian communities are currently in the midst of vibrant 15-day celebrations marking the Lunar New Year. Having officially commenced on 17 January 2026, the festivities have transitioned into a high-energy welcome for the Year of the Fire Horse, a zodiac sign associated with boundless energy, passion, and determination.
Coast-to-Coast Celebrations
- Vancouver: The historic Chinatown district recently hosted its iconic parade, while massive lantern installations continue to draw crowds at the LunarFest Vancouver festival.
- Toronto & GTA: Major hubs like the Scarborough Town Centre and venues in Markham and Richmond Hill are hosting cultural performances. On 13 February, the Peking Opera will feature masters Li Shengsu and Yu Kuizhi in a landmark performance.
- Montreal: The Vietnamese community is marking a significant milestone, celebrating 50 years of the Têt festival at the Grand Quai with traditional lion dances.
- Victoria: Despite ongoing repairs to the historic Chinatown Gate, celebrations remain in full swing, including a dedicated Lunar New Year game by the Victoria Royals on 20 February.
A Legacy of 4,000 Years
While modern celebrations in Canada feature robotics and high-fashion “Chinamaxxing” trends, the roots of the festival date back over 4,000 years to China’s Shang Dynasty. Originally an agrarian festival to honour deities and ancestors, it was formalized during the Han Dynasty (104 BCE) when Emperor Wu fixed the calendar to the first new moon of the lunar cycle.
Traditions for Good Fortune
To ensure prosperity in the Year of the Horse, observers are following time-honoured “dos and don’ts”:
- Cleaning: Homes were swept before the New Year to clear out “bad luck,” though sweeping during the first days of the festival is avoided to prevent “washing away” new wealth.
- Red Envelopes (Hongbao): The exchange of red pockets containing money remains a central tradition for families.
- Safety First: Municipalities like Mississauga have issued reminders regarding fireworks by-laws to ensure safe celebrations.
Cultural Significance & Evolution
The 2026 celebrations highlight the growing global recognition of the festival. In 2024, UNESCO officially inscribed the Spring Festival onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In Canada, this is reflected in the diverse ways the holiday is observed—from Cape Breton’s multi-national Lunar New Year Gala to the Royal Canadian Mint’s release of the “Fire Horse” collector coin, capturing the adventurous spirit of the year.
© 2026 Canada Wire. All rights reserved. | 11 February 2026 Dispatch