Toronto is set to make history this Lunar New Year with the debut of the Toronto Spring Festival at Nathan Phillips Square. The event will feature the city’s first-ever Lunar New Year fireworks show, lighting up the night sky above Toronto City Hall in a dazzling display of cultural pride, tradition, and joy to welcome the Year of the Snake.
The festival will take place on Saturday, January 25, from noon to 11:00 p.m. EST, offering a full day of cultural festivities designed to engage and inspire visitors of all ages.
A day of culture and celebration
The Toronto Spring Festival will offer a variety of activities and performances celebrating the richness of Chinese heritage. Visitors can step back in time at the Hanfu Experience Booth, where they can try on traditional Chinese clothing. The festival will also feature vibrant lion dance performances, a traditional art form where performers dressed in colourful costumes mimic the movements of a lion to bring good fortune.
“We aim for a fresh and engaging experience, involving young people and creating a shared sense of fun and cultural immersion,” says Blur Wu, founder of Spark Media and the initiator and master director/planner of the Toronto Spring Festival.
Adding to the excitement is an enchanting ice-skating performance on the outdoor rink at Nathan Philips Square, infused with Chinese-themed elements for a unique festive touch.
Visitors can also explore the Echo Market, a marketplace filled with traditional handmade items inspired by Chinese New Year traditions, along with cultural demonstrations like writing Spring Festival couplets and crafting festive decorations.
A historic fireworks show to welcome the Year of the Snake
While the day is filled with exciting activities, the evening fireworks show will be the highlight of the celebration. In Chinese culture, fireworks symbolize happiness, renewal, and good fortune, making this a meaningful moment for Toronto’s Chinese Canadian community.
“This celebration isn’t just about fireworks – it’s about bringing people together to share in the beauty of Chinese culture and create unforgettable memories,” says Wu, who worked with the City of Toronto for over a decade to make this dream a reality.
“Fireworks are a deeply ingrained part of Lunar New Year traditions – it creates a sense of ritual. This time, we want to bring this ceremonial feeling not only to the Chinese community but also to kids growing up in North America who may not know the significance of fireworks for the Lunar New Year,” Wu explains.
The five-minute fireworks show will begin at 10:00 p.m. EST, accompanied by the traditional Chinese melody “Golden Snake Dance,” symbolizing prosperity as Toronto welcomes the Year of the Snake. After the show, visitors can enjoy a traditional “God of Wealth” performance. In Chinese culture, the God of Wealth brings blessings and good fortune, and red envelopes symbolizing luck and prosperity will be handed out during the performance.
“We hope this will become an annual tradition, providing more cultural and entertainment opportunities during Toronto’s otherwise quiet winter months. We aim to grow this event into a major multi-day or week-long celebration, offering a rich Lunar New Year experience for Toronto residents of all backgrounds,” Wu says.
The festival also embodies Toronto’s spirit of multiculturalism. Shan Tao, strategic outreach lead at the Toronto Spring Festival, emphasizes the event is about more than just celebration:
“This marks a historic moment for us. Our goal is to create a joyful celebration that highlights not only the unique charm of Chinese culture but also Canada’s inclusivity and diversity. By sharing these traditions, we foster appreciation and understanding of Chinese heritage while creating lasting memories for everyone.”
Celebrate Lunar New Year with OMNI TV
The Lunar New Year celebrations extend to the screen with OMNI TV’s special program, “Celebrating the Year of the Snake – OMNI 2025 CNY Special.” This exciting program, hosted by Wei Lee, Kenneth Li, Jie Yang, and Ellen Ma in both Cantonese and Mandarin, will feature traditional dances, festive cooking, lucky draws, and musical performances.
The program airs on Wednesday, January 29 at 5:30 p.m. ET / PT / MT with two replays airing on Sunday, February 2 at 6 p.m. and Friday, February 7 at 5:30 p.m.