Whistler Multicultural Society's (WMS) vision is that newcomers, immigrants and all culturally and racially diverse people are resilient and are thriving. Our programs build inter-cultural interaction and connections, develop awareness and understanding of our local diversity, and seek to grow equity and inclusion.  We aim to build the voice and profile of newcomers, immigrants and equity-deserving members of our local communities, and to develop community inclusion initiatives. 

Welcome to 2025.... and the Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year 2025 is January 29.. a huge celebration for people in and from China, Vietnam and South Korea. It's one of the most important holidays in many Asian countries and around the world.

There are many legends linked to Chinese New Year. In one, thousands of years ago a monster named Nian (“Year”) would attack villagers at the beginning of each new year. The monster was afraid of loud noises, bright lights, and the colour red, so those things were used to chase the beast away. So celebrations to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the luck and prosperity of the new oneoften include firecrackers, fireworks, and red clothes and decorations. Young people are given money in colourful red envelopes. In addition, Chinese New Year is a time to feast and to visit family members. Many traditions of the season honour relatives who have died.

Among other Chinese New Year traditions is the thorough cleaning of one’s home to get rid of any bad luck. Some people prepare and enjoy special foods on certain days during the celebrations. The last event held during the Chinese New Year is called the Lantern Festival, during which people hang glowing lanterns in temples or carry them during a nighttime parade. Since the dragon is a Chinese symbol of good fortune, a dragon dance highlights festival celebrations in many areas.

In Korean New Year, seollal (설날) is one of the important traditional holidays in the Korean culture. The holiday takes place over several days. It is marked by the gathering of family members, performing Korean rituals, eating traditional foods, playing traditional folk games, and other traditional activities. Seollal  is more of a family-based celebration and many Koreans travel back to their family homes during this period.

세배 (sebae) is the most important of all the Korean Lunar New Year traditions. Sebae is the act of kneeling on the ground and bowing deeply so that your hands are also on the ground. Younger people must bow deeply to their elders and wish them a happy new year. This deep traditional bow signifies respect. People often wear 한복 (hanbok), traditional clothing in Korea, whilst performing sebae.

'Tet' is the Vietnamese version of the Lunar New Year. Though Tet shares the same origins as the Chinese Lunar New Year, it is celebrated with unique Vietnamese characteristics. One example is the preparation and consumption of distinctive traditional foods with their own symbolic value (glutinous rice cake, braised pork dishes, pickled vegetables, and candied fruits, among many others).

In preparation for the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, families clean and decorate their homes to celebrate the Ong Cong Ong Tao (Kitchen Guardians’ Day) ceremony, observed on the 23rd day of the last lunar month. This period is traditionally marked by family gatherings, during which a feast is prepared to honor the three kitchen guardians and pray for abundance and prosperity in the kitchen for the coming year.

Red envelopes, or ‘Li Xi’ in Vietnamese, are commonly given to children, younger colleagues, and support staff during the Lunar New Year Period. The significance of these red packets is the red envelopes themselves, which are seen to symbolize energy, happiness, and good luck. When a red envelope is given, this is seen as sending good wishes, happiness, and luck to the receiver.

Tet is a time for families to come together and honour their ancestors. Many Vietnamese people believe that the spirits of their ancestors return to earth during Tet to celebrate with their descendants. The Vietnamese worship their ancestors and gods with offerings of food, incense, and other gifts.

The giving of red envelopes is another significant tradition at the festival. On New Year's Day, it is customary for parents or older family members to give red envelopes that contain money to their children and younger relatives as a symbol of good luck.

Check the calendar for all events and join our online networks to keep updated...   Whistler - Pemberton - Squamish

Working for newcomers, immigrants, and diversity across the Sea to Sky