Free family festival Awakening Chinatown returns to Victoria

Lower Fisgard Street will once again be transformed into a pedestrian hub this weekend as thousands of visitors are expected to gather for the return of the Awakening Chinatown festival in Victoria.

The free, family-friendly event takes place May 31, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., featuring live performances, cultural programming, food vendors, family activities and local businesses throughout Canada’s oldest Chinatown.

Organizers will officially launch the festival Wednesday at the Victoria Chinatown Museum, previewing the museum’s newest exhibition, If These Walls Could Talk: Exploring Chinatown’s Stories.

The exhibition explores stories and experiences from Victoria’s Chinese Canadian community spanning more than 160 years.

The idea for the festival was created during the COVID-19 pandemic to encourage residents and visitors to return to the neighbourhood and support small and family-run businesses affected by declining tourism and foot traffic.

Organizers say what began as a community initiative has since grown into one of Victoria’s largest annual cultural celebrations, drawing thousands of visitors each spring and serving as a capstone event for Asian Heritage Month in the capital region.

Wednesday’s launch will also feature a performance by the Happy Drum Group, one of several performers scheduled to appear during the festival.