Lunar New Year market and festivities on at Square One in Mississauga

The Year of the Dragon starts with a host of activities including a market at Square One in Mississauga.

The Lunar New Year falls on Saturday, Feb. 10 this year but celebrations are starting this week.

Starting tomorrow (Feb. 1), Square One Shopping Centre holds a series of activities including immersive art installations, a unique Lunar New Year market and cultural performances.

“Lunar New Year is a significant holiday for the Mississauga community, and it is important that the diversity of our Square One shoppers is expressed through the events and activations that we create,” says Nidhi Gaur, marketing manager, Square One Shopping Centre in a press release.

“We are pleased to be hosting the Lunar New Year art installation and market once again this year. As this is an important gifting period for our shoppers, we are happy to be connecting them with retailers that feature limited edition Lunar New Year collections, as well as local businesses offering signature foods and gifts to celebrate the occasion.”

In the Grand Rotunda across from Holt Renfrew, there will be two art installations — red and gold accented arches featuring intricate detailing and a collection of long scrolls inspired by the tradition of Fai Chun blessings for Lunar New Year.

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The Asian-owned market, also located in the Grand Rotunda, is from Feb. 1 to Sunday, Feb. 4 during shopping centre hours.

The market features gifts and treats made by local Asian-owned businesses.

Market vendors include modern Vietnamese bakery La La Bakeshop; mochi donut shop Marry Me Mochi; artist Mina Park Art; plant shop and specialty nursery NVI Garden; handmade jewelry artist Shop Cins Creations; Toronto-based jewelry company that specializes in Burmese and Chinese jade, Shop SHNDY; Toronto’s The Night Baker -known for its original flavours from the Philippines including the ‘Ooh bae’ cookie; and Yes Boutique, which sells signature dessert candles in whimsical shapes.

There will be a special lion and dragon dance performance at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3 presented by Holt Renfrew, to bring prosperity and good luck for the upcoming year.

Also coming up this weekend, is a workshop from social media star Lili Lai, a Chinese-Vietnamese stylist celebrated for her dedication to cultural and traditional arts.

Lai will demonstrate the art of traditional hairstyling where participants will learn how to create the styles and receive a complimentary hair accessory.  

The workshops will be on Feb. 3 and 4 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

And Lili Lai will also lead sessions about the Chinese Zodiac at the Lunar New Year Market on Thursday (Feb. 1) and Friday (Feb. 2) from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; and on Feb. 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information on the Lunar New Year events, see the Square One website here.

Lead photo: Marry Me Mochi