Victoria Chinatown Museum

Lunar New Year at Mayfair Mall
2026-02-21 13:00 - 18:00 (America/Vancouver) | 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
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.
