Chinatown Storytelling Centre

Chinatown Storytelling Centre Honouring Our Past. Shaping Our Future.

09/02/2026

Two sisters. Two weddings. One unforgettable day.

In 1941, Margaret and Suzanne Chang celebrated their weddings together, wearing traditional embroidered gowns with Western-style veils. More than 80 years later, their family shared the remarkable story behind these treasured heirlooms with the Chinatown Storytelling Centre.

See Margaret Chang’s wedding gown at the Learning Lab and discover how personal belongings can preserve powerful stories of family, identity and Chinese Canadian life.

Plan your visit through the link in our bio.

*Images & Margaret Chang’s wedding gown, 1941. Courtesy of the Chang Toy Family, CSC Collection.*

Make the most of summer with family activities, guided tours, and community experiences at the Chinatown Storytelling Ce...
07/02/2026

Make the most of summer with family activities, guided tours, and community experiences at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre!

🎨 Family Saturday: The Art of Firecrackers
Craft your own colourful firecracker inspired by Chinatown's rich history, then explore our collection of vintage firecracker labels.
📅 July 18 | 12PM to 3PM | Chinatown Storytelling Centre

☀️ Summer Camps: Book Your Activities
Bring your summer camp, youth group, or students for guided tours, hands-on activities, and walking tours designed to spark curiosity and connection.
📅 Available July & August

🏮 Volunteer for Light Up Chinatown!
Help bring Vancouver Chinatown's biggest summer festival to life. No experience needed. Volunteers must be 16 or older.
📅 August 8–9

🏛️ Book a Guided Tour
Experience the full Chinatown Storytelling Centre with a 40-minute guided tour through the Main Floor, Vitality Exhibit, and the new immersive Learning Lab.
📅 Tours available daily

🔗 RSVP, book, or learn more via the link in bio.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Memories of Marco Polo, where stories from the Louie family, archival photograph...
06/23/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Memories of Marco Polo, where stories from the Louie family, archival photographs, and community memories brought one of Chinatown’s most beloved gathering places back to life.

From heartfelt conversations and vintage outfits to a packed audience sharing laughter and memories, these evenings celebrated the people, stories, and spirit of the Marco Polo that continue to shape Vancouver Chinatown today.

A special thank you to Karen, Jari, and Mark Louie, Kim and Victor Brent Louie, Henry Young, and all who joined us in preserving and sharing these stories for future generations.

Thank you to the New Horizon for Seniors Program (NHSP) for making the event possible.

06/03/2026

Join us at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre in the new immersive Learning Lab for an intimate evening of stories from the Louie family, live music by legendary Chinatown guitarist Henry Young, light refreshments, and the Marco Polo’s signature cocktail, Dragon Tail Sling.

Dress in your best 1960s-inspired look for a chance to win a prize, and help us celebrate one of Chinatown’s most iconic gathering places.

Memories of Marco Polo
📍 Chinatown Storytelling Centre
📅 June 19 & 20
🎟️ $40 | Limited tickets available

June is packed with stories, music, films, family activities, and immersive experiences at the Chinatown Storytelling Ce...
05/28/2026

June is packed with stories, music, films, family activities, and immersive experiences at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre and the brand new Learning Lab!

🎤 Vitality: Iconic Images, Hidden Stories Virtual Book Launch
Join Carol Lee and Ramona Mar for a virtual conversation exploring the untold stories behind Fred Herzog’s photographs and the people who shaped Chinatown.
June 11 | 4PM to 5PM | Virtual

🎬 Music Carry Me Home
Join us for a screening of this moving documentary following artist Holly Keen Goldes as they trace their Chinese Canadian family history through stories of migration, resilience, and identity.
June 13 | 4PM to 5PM | Chinatown Storytelling Centre

🎶 Marco Polo Memories
Travel back to Chinatown’s heyday with an evening of storytelling and live music in the Learning Lab. Hear firsthand memories of the iconic Marco Polo, alongside a special performance by guitarist Henry Young.
June 19 & 20 | 5PM to 7PM | Chinatown Storytelling Centre

⚽ Family Saturday: Foosball Family Saturday
Build your own interactive foosball box and challenge your family and friends to a match right on the spot. Perfect for kids and soccer fans alike!
June 20 | 12PM to 3PM | Chinatown Storytelling Centre

🔗 RSVP and learn more via the link in bio.

We officially unveiled the Chinatown Storytelling Centre’s newest immersive expansion, bringing visitors into the vibran...
05/23/2026

We officially unveiled the Chinatown Storytelling Centre’s newest immersive expansion, bringing visitors into the vibrant heyday of Chinatown from the 1950s to the 1980s through recreated storefronts, layered storytelling, and interactive experiences.

Built with and for the community, this space is a celebration of memory, culture, resilience, and the stories that continue to shape Chinatown today.

Huge thank you to all of our partners, supporters, collaborators, and community members who helped bring this vision to life

🎟️ Book a guided tour through the link in bio.

05/15/2026

You are invited to travel through time on Saturday, May 23rd, at the Storytelling Centre. Sign up for a Guided Tour via the link in bio and be the first to explore the LEARNING LAB.

Step into the sights, sounds, and stories of Chinatown from the 1950s to 1970s, when neon signs glowed, nightclubs buzzed, and a vibrant community shaped one of Vancouver’s most storied neighbourhoods. Explore immersive storefront recreations, wall-to-wall digital displays, community
artifacts, and interactive storytelling designed to make history feel alive around you, where the past speaks, and the future listens.

📅 Saturday, May 23 | 10AM–5PM
Guided tours all day | Entrance by donation
📍 168 East Pender Street, Vancouver

🔗 Reserve your spot — link in bio.

05/14/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us at We Care Wednesday with the at Nat Bailey Stadium. From cheering in the stands to sharing stories about Chinatown, we had such a fun evening connecting with the community.

A special highlight was seeing our Chair, Carol Lee, throw the ceremonial first pitch, and celebrating our amazing volunteer Eileen Wong, who was featured and recognized as the Hero of the Night by ⭐

Huge thank you to .cafe, , , and for generously sponsoring our giveaway prizes.

See you at the next one! ⚾🏮

We were happy to welcome Global News anchor Sophie Lui (), and community leaders Andy Yan (), Henry Tsang (), and Doris ...
05/06/2026

We were happy to welcome Global News anchor Sophie Lui (), and community leaders Andy Yan (), Henry Tsang (), and Doris Chow () to the Chinatown Storytelling Centre for the screening of Chinatown: Stories of Perseverance and Pride, followed by a candid and thoughtful conversation. Their insights and lived experiences grounded a meaningful discussion on Chinatown’s past and future.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, asked questions, and stayed to connect. Together, we reflected on where Chinatown has been and what comes next.

The Chinatown Storytelling Centre is proud to be a place where these conversations happen, bringing together culture, community, and lived experience.

To keep the momentum going, this May, the Foundation will open a new space at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre called the Learning Lab. This new 4,000 square foot immersive space takes you back in time to Chinatown during the 1950’s - 70’s through interactive storytelling, historic façades, and hands-on experiences.

Be among the first to experience at our Grand Opening.

The Learning Lab Grand Opening
📍 Chinatown Storytelling Centre (168 E Pender St.)
🗓 Saturday, May 23
⏰ 10 AM to 5 PM

Sign up for guided tours via the link in bio.

For Asian Heritage Month, come down to the Chinatown Storytelling Centre for film screenings, our Learning Lab Grand Ope...
05/02/2026

For Asian Heritage Month, come down to the Chinatown Storytelling Centre for film screenings, our Learning Lab Grand Opening, or meet us at Net Bailey Stadium for the Vancouver Canadians! 🎉

🎥 Chinatown Stories of Perseverance and Pride
Join Sophie Lui () for a screening of her film exploring the history and future of Vancouver's Chinatown, followed by a moderated conversation with Andy Yan, Doris Chow, and Henry Tsang.
May 3 | 4PM to 5PM | Chinatown Storytelling Centre
$15 general | $10 Members

⚾ RBC We Care Wednesday
Catch the Vancouver Canadians () at Nat Bailey Stadium — $5 from every ticket supports Chinatown revitalization efforts.
May 13 | 7:05PM | Nat Bailey Stadium

🐉 Family Saturday: Little Boats and Big Bites!
Celebrate Dragon Boat Festival by crafting your own mini dragon boat and enjoying sticky rice dumplings 粽子 with our signature Gold Mountain tea. Free for kids!
May 16 | 12PM to 3PM | Chinatown Storytelling Centre

🏮 Learning Lab Grand Opening
Five years ago, we opened the Chinatown Storytelling Centre. Now, the vision expands. Step inside the Learning Lab — a new 4,000 sq ft immersive space bringing Chinatown's 1950s–70s heyday to life through recreated streetscapes, artifacts, and interactive displays. Guided tours every 30 minutes. Light refreshments included.
May 23 | 10AM to 5PM | Chinatown Storytelling Centre

👀 Coming up:

📖 Vitality: Iconic Images, Hidden Stories — Virtual Book Talk
Carol Lee and Ramona Mar discuss the untold stories behind Fred Herzog's iconic photographs of Chinatown's people and places.
June 11 | 4PM to 5PM | Virtual — Free
Link in bio! 🎟️

Address

168 East Pender Street
Vancouver, BC
V6A1T3

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5am
Tuesday 10am - 5am
Wednesday 10am - 5am
Thursday 10am - 5am
Friday 10am - 5am
Saturday 10am - 5am
Sunday 10am - 5am

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Chinatown Storytelling Centre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to Chinatown Storytelling Centre:

Shortcuts

Share

Category