Chasing Lions & Dragons! 🦁🐉 Lunar New Year 2026 | Festival Fix 🇨🇦

Gung Hay Fat Choy! 🧧🐎 Welcome to a high-energy edition of Festival Fix! If you’ve ever tried to film Lunar New Year in Richmond, you know it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Today, my husband Asif and I are literally chasing lions and dragons across the city to bring you the best of the 2026 Year of the Horse celebrations! 🏃‍♂️💨 ​We started the clock at Aberdeen Centre for the 12:00 PM "Picking the Greens" (Choi Cheng). In this video, you’ll see the sheer chaos and beauty of following the lions as they weave through three floors of crowds to bless local shops. But the chase didn't end there! As soon as the lions finished, we raced over to Parker Place to catch the legendary Dragon Dance. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of navigating the festive Richmond traffic to make sure we didn't miss a single beat of those drums! 🥁🦁🐉 ​The Magic of the Chase ✨ Filming these events is a workout! Whether it's dodging lettuce "spat" out by the lions at Aberdeen or finding the perfect angle for the 50-foot dragon at Parker Place, the energy is infectious. We even ran into our good friend Nacho in the middle of the Parker Place crowd—it’s amazing how these festivals turn the whole city into one big neighborhood block party. 🤝🎊 ​Fueling Up: Parker Place Food Tour 🥢🍖 You can’t chase dragons on an empty stomach. After the performances, we hit the Parker Place Food Court for some legendary local eats. We stopped at Tai Fook for a plate of their world-renowned BBQ Pork and Soy Chicken. The char on that pork is honestly worth the trip alone! 🍗🔥 To top it off, we grabbed a Satay Beef Bun from Macau Cafe—the perfect handheld snack for a busy festival day. 🥯🥜 ​Why This Matters to Richmond & Metro Vancouver 🇨🇦🏙️ This isn't just a vlog; it’s a snapshot of the cultural heartbeat of Metro Vancouver. Richmond is world-famous for its Lunar New Year festivities, and for good reason. Events at Aberdeen and Parker Place represent a bridge between generations. For the people of Richmond, seeing the "greens" plucked and the dragon dance is a way to ensure prosperity for the community. For the rest of BC, it’s a masterclass in vibrant, living tradition. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦❤️ ​In 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse, the energy is higher than ever. The Horse represents speed, strength, and a "gallop" toward success—which felt very appropriate as we were sprinting between malls! 🐎🔥 ​In This Video: 📍 Aberdeen Centre: The 12:00 PM "Picking the Greens" Lion Dance. 🏃‍♂️ The Hustle: Chasing the action from mall to mall. 🐉 Parker Place: The spectacular Dragon Dance performance. 👥 The Crew: Festival vibes with Asif and our friend Nacho! 🍱 Food Tour: Deep dive into Tai Fook BBQ & Macau Cafe. 🏮 2026 Traditions: Symbolism of the Year of the Horse. ​SUPPORT THE FESTIVAL FIX: Help us keep the cameras rolling on the best cultural events in the PNW! ✅ SUBSCRIBE to Jerome Forestwood for urban life, food, and culture! 🔔 HIT THE BELL so you can join our next live "chase." 💬 COMMENT: Which do you prefer: the Lion Dance or the Dragon Dance? And who has the best BBQ in Richmond? Let’s settle it in the comments! 👇 ​Thanks for joining the "chase" with us today. May the Year of the Horse bring you speed, power, and plenty of Satay Beef buns! 🧧🐎✨ What is Festival Fix? Get ready to dive headfirst into the vibrant heart of Metro Vancouver and beyond with Jerome Forestwood's Festival Fix! 🎉 Join the ever-enthusiastic Jerome as he journeys through the kaleidoscope of local festivals, from lively cultural celebrations to mouthwatering food extravaganzas. Think of it as your all-access pass to the best the region (and maybe the world!) has to offer. Jerome will be your friendly guide, navigating the bustling crowds, uncovering hidden gems from talented vendors, and, most importantly, taste-testing all the delicious eats. Craving festival vibes but can't be there? Jerome's got you covered! Tune in for live streams packed with energy, flavour, and a whole lot of fun. You might just discover your next must-visit festival or find a new favourite snack! Follow Jerome Forestwood's Festival Fix and get your dose of festival fun, live and direct!🥳 Follow along and let the good times roll! Chapters 0:00:00 Travelling to Aberdeen Centre 0:16:00 Picking the Greens Lion Dance 0:52:16 Travelling to Parker Place 0:55:52 Dragon Dance at Parker Place Part A 1:11:26 Grabbing Lunch at Parker Place Food Court 1:34:44 Dragon Dance at Parker Place Part B #LunarNewYear #richmondbc #yearofthehorse #chinesenewyear #liondance #vancouver