Royal Roads University in Colwood, British Columbia, will host an eight-day Lunar New Year celebration from February 9 to February 16, 2026. The festival marks the lead-up to the Year of the Fire Horse (Lunar New Year begins Feb. 17, 2026) and includes public activities designed to bring the local community and international students together.
Most of the festivities will be centered in the Dogwood Auditorium, a 500‑seat multi‑purpose venue on the west campus. Smaller workshops and some programming will also take place in the Sequoia Building (Centre for Dialogue) and at other campus locations, including Hatley Castle. The schedule features a variety of cultural workshops, a dim sum food festival, and traditional performances such as a lion dance and a talent show.
This is the largest version of the event the university has hosted, reflecting increased international engagement and programming at Royal Roads over the last two years. While the events are free to the public, attendees are asked to register in advance through the university’s online events portal to attend public showcases.
To help with travel, a free shuttle bus will run between the main gate on Sooke Road and the Dogwood Auditorium for those attending the celebrations. The City of Colwood is supporting the initiative as part of efforts to make the historic Hatley Park campus a year‑round cultural gathering place for the West Shore community.
