Victoria Chinatown Museum

Dragon Boat Festival at the Museum
2025-08-05 08:00 - 2025-09-09 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | Victoria Chinatown Museum, 10 Fan Tan Alley, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W1W3, Canada
Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival and see the original dragon head from the first Dragon Boat Race in Mexico.

Fundraiser Dinner
2025-09-29 17:30 - 20:30 | Golden City Restaurant, 721 Fisgard Street, Victoria, BC, V8W 1R8, Canada
Get ready for a fun-filled evening with delicious food and community spirit in support of the Victoria Chinatown Museum. Whether you’re purchasing a table or attending as an individual, we warmly welcome you to be part of this special event.

The Magic of Tony Eng
2025-10-14 08:00 - 17:00 | Victoria Chinatown, Fisgard Street, Victoria, BC, Canada
The Magic of Tony Eng exhibit was a favourite of visitors and volunteers. Tony Eng, magician extraordinaire, touched the lives of Victoria’s many communities. He was a mentor, teacher and role model. The Victoria Chinatown Museum Society was proud to share some of his legacy and family story.

Chinese Canadian students in Victoria boycotted public schools for one year – 1922-1923
2025-10-14 08:00 - 17:00 | Victoria Chinatown, Fisgard Street, Victoria, BC, Canada
Grace Wong Sneddon, Ph.D
Vice-Chair, VCMS

The boycott was a response to the growing Anglo pro-segregation pressure across the West Coast in the 1920s for a more complete separation of the Chinese and white races in public schools. The school protest was a vital struggle against a rising anti-Asian movement in Canada.
The Chinese community accused the school trustees of acting on racial prejudice as they segregated their children in Chinese-only schools. At this time, Indigenous children were being sent to residential schools. They were concerned that if they tolerated the proposed expansion of school segregation to their children, not only their children but all future generations would face diminished opportunities.
The first stirrings of school segregation in Victoria occurred in February 1901 when a few white parents delivered a petition to the school board demanding that the Chinese children attending Rock Bay Elementary be placed in a separate school because they were unclean, untidy, depraved, ill-mannered, and had a demoralizing influence on the white children. Their teachers refuted these allegations and praised the Chinese children for their good behaviour and diligence (The Colonist, Nov. 13, 1902). The School Board did not take action at this time; but, with additional pressure from the Trade and Labour Council, they set up an ad hoc committee to consult the provincial department of education to determine whether they had the power to establish an ungraded school exclusively for the Chinese children. The provincial department of education informed the school board that while it had the power to establish an ungraded school, the school should not be based on creed, colour or nationality (The Colonist, Oct. 09, 1902). In January 1903 the school board placed 15 junior Chinese students in a separate classroom in Rock Bay Elementary followed by 3 rulings:

No Chinese children to be admitted to public schools “until they could so understand the English language as to be amenable to the ordinary regulations and school discipline”
Only those pupils who entered Victoria before April 1, 1907, were accepted to public schools, on the pretext that they had taken private instruction in English
Permits to attend public schools would be issued only to Victoria-born Chinese children

In 1908, the school board introduced another ruling that required Victoria-born Chinese children or children of naturalized Chinese to pass an English examination before they were permitted to attend public schools. In November of that year, all the Chinese pupils from grade one to grade four were segregated from public schools. The impact of this partial segregation proved to be detrimental to the Chinese children. Lacking an opportunity to practice English with English speaking children, it slowed their progress in English which resulted in awkward and difficult communication with their white classmates when they moved to grade five.
The detrimental effect of segregation was pointed out by Principal Cunningham of the Boys’ Central School in his letter to the school board in 1914:
“…..the moment the principle of segregation is adopted, the children will continue to use Chinese as the medium of thought, and become less able to be assimilated then if they play with the white children as is now the case. Hence, it is no remedy to establish a separate graded school for the Chinese, who would thus never thoroughly learn English or western ways” (The Victoria Times, February 2, 1914).
Then in November 1921, the School Board Trustees of Greater Victoria, led by Board Chair, George Jay, voted to segregate Chinese children from public schools to the end of grade 7. The Chinese-only schools consisted of three sites: Rock Bay Elementary, King’s Road School and the Railway Street School which the Chinese called the Chicken Coop because this school was comprised of two wooden huts relocated from the closed Fernwood School where the children shared the grounds with chickens. At this time, a majority of children, including Chinese students, left school to work at age 14, thus, the new policy effectively excluded them from interacting with other Canadian children.

From Dr. Tim Stanley, author of Contesting White Supremacy:
School Segregation, Anti-Racism, and the Making of Chinese Canadians
The Chinese parents had accepted the partial segregation because they believed that it was better to have the children in a segregated school than to have them barred completely from attending public schools. For the Chinese community, English language schooling was important. They felt that the children, the majority of those segregated were locally born, would not be able to integrate fully into Canadian society without access to English language schools. The Chinese community believed that as taxpayers, their children were entitled to equality of educational opportunity especially as the children were here to stay and to become Canadian citizens.
On September 05, 1922, the first day of school of a new school year, all Chinese students were called out of their schools. They were to be marched to the Kings Road School by their principals. As they walked towards the school, one of the senior boys gave a prearranged signal to the students. In response, all the students dispersed and the principals were left alone on the route. This remarkable act marked the beginning of the anti-segregation movement of 1922-23 when the Chinese in Victoria boycotted public schools to protest against the expansion of racial segregation.
Three organizations organized the boycott: The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA), the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and the Chinese Canadian Club, the latter were locally born Chinese youth. The Chinese Community in Victoria came together from families, merchants, single bachelors, rich and poor, clan and county associations. These three organizations utilized their networks and raised money throughout British Columbia and Canada to support the boycott and to fund a court challenge. They also appealed to their Anglo allies in Canada and submitted a petition to Victoria’s school board. As disenfranchised residents, they were legally powerless and could only appeal on moral and diplomatic grounds. They a developed a resistance plan that included the following:

Unite major overseas Chinese organizations (working through CCBA)
CCBA calling on the Chinese government, including the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa to intervene.
They retained a lawyer
An organized community support which included a $2.00 contribution for each affected student to pay for legal fees,
An organized letter writing campaign to challenge the school board
CCBA established a Fight School Segregation Association led by Joe Hope, President of the CCC and used tactics borrowed directly from Gandhi’s non-cooperation movement, “No purchases of Canadian goods and no patronage of educational institutions fostered by the Canadian authorities’.
An alternative community school (Chinese Public School) in Victoria’s Chinatown was established (Oct. 28, 1922) where the boycotting students received education in English and Chinese taught by three teachers

There were many allies who tried to mediate: Harry Hastings, Alexander Won Cumyow (founder of CCBA in 1884) and one of the oldest locally born non-Indigenous people in the province, W. E. Perry, a Presbyterian missionary and Neville Lascelles-Ward, head of Anglican missions in British Columbia.
After one year, the Chinese protest stopped the advance of school segregation. The school board returned to the pre-boycott segregation policy. Chinese children living in the North Ward District had to attend a separate Chinese-only school in Rock Bay for the first four years of their elementary education. After Rock Bay School was demolished in the late 1920s, all of the Chinese students were transferred to the Railway Street School or as the Chinese called it, the Chicken Coop. This is where the Chinese students attended until after the Second World War. One small concession was that Chinese children who succeeded in rapidly learning English could be promoted earlier to integrated schools at the discretion of their teachers and principals.
The Chinese fought for their children to have equal rights to educational opportunity and to be able to go to school with other children. Although the boycott did not advance their fight, they held ground. It represented a stand against British Columbia’s anti-Asian movement, they stood up to what had to be done because they believed that if they permitted school segregation to be expanded then it would affect all the generations of Chinese that followed.
On September 05, 2022, the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society invites everyone to walk the route of those earlier Chinese students. This is an opportunity to acknowledge the students who had the courage to defy their principals and who acted on their conviction. On this day, we will walk together supported by our communities and our allies to stand up for equality and the right to education as any other person. Those of us, of Chinese descent, who were born and raised in Victoria, who went to school in Greater Victoria were able to attend public schools because of those who preceded us. Their organized and multi-faceted campaign of resistance put the spotlight on the racism and their courageous actions made, at least, one step in the ongoing struggle for equal citizenship.
Walk in Commemoration of the Chinese Students School Strike 1922-1923 | September 5, 2022
Where: George Jay School 1118 Princess Avenue
Time: Gather at 10:00am
Walk Start: 10:30am
Plaque presentation at Kings Road by Ryan Painter, Chair of Greater Victoria School District Board of Education
Commemorative Luncheon | September 05, 2022
Where: Golden City Restaurant, Fisgard Street
Time: 12:15pm
For ticket information email: Alan Lowe at alanlowe@shaw.ca
Presentation by: Dr. Tim Stanley, author of Contesting White Supremacy: School Segregation, Anti-Racism, and the Making of Chinese Canadians

International Mahjong Day
2025-10-22 00:00 | BC
International Mahjong Day is August 1st, and we’re
gearing up for a fun night of Mahjong to celebrate! In
collaboration with the Victoria Mahjong Club, we will be
hosting International Mahjong Day on Friday, August 1
from 7pm to 9pm, an evening where you can join us to
learn, play and, observe mahjong. From beginners who
have never played before to experienced players,
everyone is welcome! Space is limited, so register soon
to make sure you don’t miss this exciting event!

Peering into the Past
2025-10-22 00:00 | BC
Creating innovative ‘living museum’ spaces in Chinatown
Chinatowns, located throughout the Americas and other continents, are important sites of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Today, they face myriad changes and crises, including balancing new urban developments, gentrification, population shifts, and the preservation of historical architecture and aura.
The Peering into the Past study documented the process of creating a short-term exhibit that animated and enriched an unconventional outdoor space, and considered the long-term goal of making Canada’s oldest Chinatown in Victoria a future “living museum” site.
The opportunity arose in November 2019 when the Salient Group (a development company) offered the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society and the Royal BC Museum a 103 square foot space in a courtyard off Fan Tan Alley, a famous landmark.
The result of this collaboration was a dynamic urban pop-up exhibit that opened in July 2020 at 3 Fan Tan Alley. Visitors experienced a mix of digital media and panels displayed on the courtyard walls and windows, all designed to highlight the space’s historical location and context and a single artifact through digital animation.
This study, conducted by Dr. Tzu-I Chung in partnership with the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society, Royal BC Museum, and the Salient Group, addresses the challenges and future possibilities of working with community and development partners to create living museum sites in unconventional spaces, as a new way to revitalize and reimagine the future of Chinatowns.
Click the button below to view and download, “Peering into the Past”.

Download PDF

A Seat at the Table: Chinese Immigration and British Columbia
2025-11-13 - 2026-04-13 | Victoria Chinatown Museum, 10 Fan Tan Alley, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W1W3, Canada
This award-winning exhibition explored historical and contemporary stories of Chinese Canadians in BC and their struggles for belonging. Using food and restaurant culture as an entry point, the stories in the exhibit highlighted the great diversity of immigrant experiences and of the communities that immigrants develop.
The exhibition featured interactive story panels, videos and audio clips that provide snapshots of the lives of Chinese Canadians. These stories underscored the extent of systemic racism in British Columbia and its enduring impact, while highlighting the ability of Chinese Canadians to resist, organize and thrive.
A Seat at the Table: Chinese Immigration and British Columbia is a travelling exhibition from the Chinese Canadian Museum in partnership with the Museum of Vancouver and the University of British Columbia. Visit the Chinese Canadian Museum’s website to learn more.

Valentine's Day
2026-02-14 11:00 - 17:00 | Victoria Chinatown Museum, 10 Fan Tan Alley, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W1W3, Canada
Valentine’s Day at the museum. Bring your family and learn how to make heart-shaped fans. Test your skills in the Chopstick Challenge – can you pick up a candied heart or gummy?

Lychee Tasting
2026-02-15 11:00 - 17:00 | Victoria Chinatown Museum, 10 Fan Tan Alley, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W1W3, Canada
Taste treats at the museum! Did you know there are 50 kinds of lychee fruits? Join us today at the Victoria Chinatown Museum for free family activities and do a lychee tasting! Open today 11-5.

Family Day
2026-02-16 11:00 - 17:00 | Victoria Chinatown Museum, 10 Fan Tan Alley, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W1W3, Canada
Join us for Family Day crafts at the museum! Learn to fold a fortune cookie or bao, or test your skills in the Chopstick Challenge!

Lunar New Year 2026
2026-02-17 11:00 - 17:00 | Victoria Chinatown Museum, 10 Fan Tan Alley, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W1W3, Canada
Gung hay fat choy! February 17, 2026 is the beginning of the Lunar New Year, the year of the fire horse. The celebration of Lunar New Year holds deep cultural significance for Victoria’s historic Chinatown. Chinese Canadian pioneers brought many traditions with them when they began their new lives in Canada – including spending family time together and enjoying delicious foods during the Lunar New Year. As the most important holiday in many East Asian cultures, the Lunar New Year provides an annual opportunity to reaffirm cultural identity, honour ancestors, and pass down cherished traditions to younger generations. Join us at the museum and pick up a lai see – a red envelope with a gold coin – symbolizing good fortune and prosperity in the year ahead, and the welcoming of spring. Today is also the 4th anniversary of the founding of the Victoria Chinatown Museum – please help us celebrate.

Victoria Royals Hockey Game
2026-02-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard St, Victoria, BC, V8T 4J2, Canada
If you’ve been thinking about getting out to a game, tonight is a great night to watch the Royals face off against the Wenatchee Wild at Save On Foods Memorial Arena (7 pm). Make sure to pick up 50/50 tickets at the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society table – the proceeds from tonight’s draw go to the museum! Get your tickets online at https://sofmc.com/event/wenatchee-wild-at-victoria-royals-february-20-2026/ or at the box office.

Lunar New Year at Mayfair Mall
2026-02-21 13:00 - 18:00 | Mayfair Mall, 3147 Douglas St, Victoria, BC, V8Z 6E3, Canada
Celebrate the Year of the Horse at Mayfair Mall! Enjoy the Lion Dance by the Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club at 1 p.m. and meet some of our board members and volunteers. Try out lantern making, Chinese calligraphy, the Chopstick Challenge, and other crafts. Don’t forget to enter the raffle, for a chance to win great prizes from Mayfair businesses. Gung hay fat choy!

Lunar New Year Celebration
2026-02-22 11:30 - 15:30 | Fisgard Street
Lunar New Year’s Parade and blessing of merchants, starting at the Gate of Harmonious Interest. Celebrate the Year of the Horse! Presented by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. Join us at the museum to pick up a Chinese zodiac sticker and fortune cookie!

International Women's Day Short Film Screening
2026-03-29 13:00 | Canadian College of Performing Arts, 1701 Elgin Rd, Victoria, BC, V8R 5L5, Canada
Join us March 29 at 1 pm for two short films in honour of International Women’s Day: Born an Immigrant – The Dressmaker and In Search of Mah Hang. Stay for a panel discussion with director Jenn Lee, producer Catherine Clement, and VCMS Board Chair Grace Wong Sneddon.
Born an Immigrant – The Dressmaker
In a time of exclusion, fashion offers an opportunity for inclusion.
Directed by Jennifer Lee. Produced by Robin Pascoe.
23 minutes.
In Search of Mah Hang
During the era of Chinese exclusion, a Canadian-born Chinese woman dared to challenge tradition and power. In 1931, Mah Hang confronted the male-dominated Wong Clan Association in a courageous attempt to free herself and her children from an arranged marriage to a much older man.
Directed by Victoria So. Produced by Catherine Clement and Dr. Henry Yu.
23 minutes.

Qing Ming: Honouring Ancestors
2026-04-05 | Victoria Chinatown, Fisgard Street, Victoria, BC, Canada
Each spring, families in Victoria’s Chinese Canadian community and elsewhere observe Qing Ming, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day. This tradition is a time to honour ancestors and reflect on the lives of those who came before. One of the most significant places connected to this observance is the Chinese Cemetery at Harling Point, now recognized as a National Historic Site.
During Qing Ming, families visit gravesites to clean and care for them—sweeping and making offerings of food, tea, incense, and joss paper. These actions express respect, remembrance, and ongoing connection. The act of tending to a grave becomes a way of maintaining relationships across generations.
For early Chinese Canadians in Victoria, Qing Ming carried additional meaning. Many migrants lived far from their ancestral homes and could not return to visit family graves in China. Harling Point became a place where memory and tradition could continue, and where loved ones who built lives in Canada could be honoured.
Qing Ming also marks the arrival of spring, symbolizing renewal and continuity. Today, the tradition continues to connect individuals, families, and communities across time.

Asian Heritage Month
2026-05-01 - 2026-05-31 | Victoria Chinatown, Fisgard Street, Victoria, BC, Canada
In May, the Victoria Chinatown Museum celebrates Asian Heritage Month with a range of events, programs, and community activities that showcase Chinese Canadian history, culture, and contributions. Established in Canada in 2001, Asian Heritage Month provides an opportunity to recognize the experiences and achievements of Asian Canadians and their role in shaping the country.

Save the date in your calendar for the Awakening Chinatown festival, sponsored by the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society. The full-day festival features performances, music, food and public programming in Chinatown’s historic streets.

Asian Heritage Month also creates space for learning and reflection. It encourages visitors to consider both the contributions of Chinese Canadians and the challenges they faced, including exclusion and discrimination. Come and visit the museum during May, and gain a deeper understanding of Chinatown as both a historic place and an active cultural community.

Victoria in the Time of Exclusion
2026-05-02 | BC
The Victoria in the Time of Exclusion exhibit examines a period in Canadian history when Chinese immigrants and Chinese Canadians were subjected to systemic discrimination through federal immigration law. At the centre of the exhibit is the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923, commonly known as the Exclusion Act, which transformed immigration control into a daily reality for Chinese communities. As a major port of entry and home to one of the oldest Chinatowns in Canada, Victoria was a place where the effects of exclusion were enforced and deeply felt.
The Exclusion Act came into force on July 1, 1923, and almost entirely halted Chinese immigration to Canada for nearly twenty-five years. With only narrow exceptions for diplomats, students, and merchants, the law prevented family reunification and forced many Chinese Canadians to live apart from their loved ones for decades. Those already in Canada were required to register with the federal government and carry certificates of identity—documents that monitored movement rather than granting rights or belonging. The Act remained in place until 1947, leaving lasting social and emotional impacts.
The certificates displayed in the exhibit tell deeply personal stories of restriction, separation, and endurance. Issued under Canada’s Chinese Immigration Act and related regulations, these documents were required for Chinese residents to remain in, leave, or re-enter the country. What appear as administrative records were, in reality, conditions of daily life that shaped identity and regulated movement.
The wall of certificates makes the human cost of exclusion visible: each record includes a photograph, a name, and an identification number. For families, the certificates often marked years of waiting and uncertainty. Children grew up apart from parents, relationships were sustained across great distances, and reunification remained uncertain until the repeal of the Exclusion Act in 1947.
Printed across the exhibit is a stark reminder: “This certificate does not establish legal status in Canada.” Carried out of necessity rather than choice, these documents became symbols of both restriction and perseverance.

If These Walls Could Talk: Exploring Chinatown's Stories 舊牆留聲
2026-05-07 - 2027-03-31 | Victoria Chinatown Museum, 10 Fan Tan Alley, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W1W3, Canada
As we walk through Victoria’s Chinatown, we see only what exists today. However, these buildings have stood for decades and each holds multiple stories within its walls. The architecture tells us about the origins of the owners and their aspirations in Victoria, while the businesses that operated in these spaces have been vital to the region’s economic and social development.
Beyond the architecture and commercial history, the personal narratives of families provide a window into the daily lives of those who once lived in these buildings—offering a glimpse into the past and weaving together the rich tapestry of Chinatown’s legacy.
“This exhibit not only celebrates the history of Chinatown, but also highlights the dedication and collaborative spirit of our community,” says VCMS Board Chair Dr. Grace Wong Sneddon. “We are grateful for the contributions of community members who made this exhibit possible by generously sharing their family stories. We invite everyone to join us in exploring the many layers of Chinatown’s legacy.”
“If These Walls Could Talk: Exploring Chinatown’s Stories 舊牆留聲” marks a significant milestone as it is the first exhibit curated by museum staff and board members. The exhibit will run until spring 2027.

Awakening Chinatown 2026
2026-05-31 11:00 - 16:30 | Fisgard Street
The Fifth Annual Awakening Chinatown Returns

The streets of Canada’s oldest Chinatown will come alive once again as the fifth annual Awakening Chinatown Festival returns on Sunday, May 31, 2026. Presented by the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society (VCMS) in partnership with Chinatown businesses, this free, family-friendly festival invites the community to gather in the heart of Victoria’s historic Chinatown for a day of culture, celebration, and connection.
Mark your calendars and join us for one of Victoria’s most vibrant events of the year.

Date: Sunday, May 31, 2026 from 11 AM – 4:30 PMLocation: Victoria’s Chinatown District (around lower Fisgard Street)Admission: Free and open to all

Event Schedule

11:15 AM
Opening Ceremonies

11:45 AM
Alex Chen, Chinese Art Song

12:00 PM
BC Chinese Chamber Orchestra

12:30 PM
Elvin Chang, Cantopop

12:45 PM
Michelle Kwan, Guzheng

1:00 PM
Happy Drum Group & Chinese Opera

1:30 PM
Wong Sheung Kung Fu Demonstration

2:00 PM
Traditional Chinese Chamber Orchestra

2:45 PM
Elvin Chang, Cantopop

3:00 PM
Evergreen Senior’s Chinese Choir

3:15 PM
Chinese Dance Victoria

3:30 PM
Taoist Tai Chi Chuan

3:45 PM
Michelle Kwan, Guzheng

4:00 PM
Alex Chen, Chinese Art Song

4:15 PM
Wong Sheung Kung Fu Lion Dance

Celebrating Culture, Community, and History

Awakening Chinatown is a joyful celebration of the culture, heritage, and stories that have shaped Victoria’s Chinatown, the oldest Chinatown in Canada and the most architecturally intact in North America.
Launched by the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society in 2022, the festival brings together community organizations, performers, businesses, and visitors to honour the contributions of Chinese Canadians while celebrating the vibrant life of Chinatown today.
Held annually at the end of Asian Heritage Month, Awakening Chinatown transforms the district into a lively gathering place filled with music, performances, food, and cultural experiences for all ages.

Explore Chinatown

Festival-goers are invited to wander through the historic streets and alleyways of Chinatown, discover local businesses, and experience the neighbourhood’s rich architecture, culture, and cuisine.
And this year, the popular Awakening Chinatown Scavenger Hunt is back! Explore the district while searching for important landmarks, stories, and cultural touchpoints. It’s a fun and interactive way to experience the neighbourhood while learning more about the history and community that make it so special.
Visitors can also look forward to a dynamic mix of programming including:

Cultural Performances

Lion dancing, traditional drumming, and martial arts by Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club
Demonstrating harmony and balance: Taoist Tai Chi Society
Chinese opera and dance by Victoria Chinese Opera Club, Chinese Dance Victoria and Happy Drum Group
Live music performances spanning classical and contemporary styles including Alex Chen, performing opera and Chinese Art Songs in partnership and sponsored by Pacific Opera Victoria, and Michelle Kwan playing the Guzheng.
Plus, exciting NEW first time performances from the Chinese Evergreen Seniors’ Choir, the BC Chinese Music Association’s Traditional Chinese Instrument Chamber Orchestra from Vancouver, and Elvin Chang, acclaimed Canto/Mando pop artist!

Interactive Experiences

Calligraphy and Chinese arts demonstrations
Hands-on games and activities for families
Opportunities to connect with community organizations

Each year, thousands of visitors gather to experience the energy and pride of Victoria’s Chinatown and the stories that continue to shape it.
More details about performances, activities, and participating vendors will be announced as they are confirmed.

We are pleased to welcome RBC as the Presenting Sponsor this year. Martin Thibodeau, Regional President, says:
“RBC has been a proud supporter of Awakening Chinatown since 2022 and we’re honoured to return this year as the Presenting Sponsor. This festival celebrates the heritage, culture and local businesses that define Victoria—home to Canada’s oldest Chinatown. When we show up for our communities, we’re not just celebrating the past; we’re strengthening the community and helping it prosper. RBC is thrilled to be at the heart of this celebration.”

Anniversary of the 1922-23 Chinese Student School Strike
2026-09-05 | Victoria Chinatown, Fisgard Street, Victoria, BC, Canada
The Chinese Student School Strike was a powerful, year-long act of organized civil resistance against institutionalized racism in Victoria. In September 1922, the Victoria School Board attempted to expand its existing segregation policy, ordering all Chinese Canadian students up to Grade 7 to be removed from public schools and placed into Chinese-only schools. On the first day of the new term, when principals marched the children to the segregated site, the students, acting on a plan organized by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) and other community groups, dispersed and went home instead of entering the segregated facility. This remarkable, coordinated boycott of over 200 students successfully halted the expansion of segregation for a year, forcing the community to establish a temporary Chinese Free School to ensure the children’s education continued. This pivotal moment demonstrated the unwavering resolve of the Chinese community to fight for equal rights and educational opportunity, laying a foundation for future battles against anti-Asian discrimination in Canada.

Annual Fundraising Dinner and Auction
2026-09-20 17:30 - 21:00 | Golden City Restaurant, 721 Fisgard Street, Victoria, BC, V8W 1R8, Canada
The Victoria Chinatown Museum Society invites you to the save the date for our biggest annual fundraising dinner.
What: Dinner, live auction and more!
Where: Golden City Restaurant, 721 Fisgard Street
When: September 20, 2026 5:30 p.m
Cost: Single ticket $180, table of 10 $1,500
Get tickets here

Remembrance Day
2026-11-11 | Victoria Chinatown, Fisgard Street, Victoria, BC, Canada
Each November, Remembrance Day invites us to reflect on and pay our respects to the people who served and sacrificed during times of war. Among them were Chinese Canadians from Victoria and across the country, whose contributions played an important role both overseas and at home. During World War I and World War II, Chinese Canadians volunteered despite facing discrimination and exclusion in their daily lives. More than 600 Chinese Canadians served in the Second World War alone. Many were not yet recognized as full citizens and were denied the right to vote. Still, they chose to serve, believing in the future of their community in Canada.
Some served in combat roles, while others worked in intelligence, engineering, logistics, and special operations. Kam Len Douglas Sam joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and flew missions in Europe. Victor Wong served overseas with the Special Operations Executive. Gordon Quan supported resistance efforts in Southeast Asia. Fred Lee fought at Vimy Ridge and disappeared at the Battle of Hill 70. Along with many others, these individuals contributed their skills, courage, and determination during critical moments in history. Families and communities in Victoria supported these efforts, and military service became closely connected to broader struggles for equality.
After the war, the contributions of Chinese Canadian veterans helped strengthen calls for equal rights. Their service is a vital part of our national story, embodying the fight for both global freedom and domestic equality. In 1947, Chinese Canadians finally gained the right to vote federally, marking an important step toward full citizenship.
