The Georgia Straight proudly sponsors the Vancouver Chinatown Night Market

Vancouver's Chinatown is changing—new restaurants, shops, art galleries, and condos are part of a revitalized neighbourhood that’s attracting a new generation of visitors. So it makes sense that the Vancouver Chinatown Night Market, an annual summer tradition, is getting a facelift to reflect its historic-meets-modern surroundings.

The Chinatown Night Market will officially launch its 2013 season on Saturday (June 1) with a fresh lineup of live entertainment, shopping stalls, activities for all ages, and more. Whether you’ve never picked up a ping pong racket or you consider yourself a pro, night market attendees are invited to participate in the inaugural Chinatown Night Market Ping Pong Club.

Other highlights include the Rain City Chronicles, hip-hop karaoke, a mah-jong social, dumpling festival, and a variety show. Photography buffs and cinephiles will also appreciate the photo show featuring works by Frank Herzog and the Chinatown Outdoor Cinema, which will feature weekly movies.

This year’s festival will also include local food trucks, such as Vij’s Railway, Roaming Dragon, Le Tigre, Tacofino, and Mogu. Of course, if you make it a point to go to night markets just for the Asian street food, there will be plenty of traditional food stalls on hand as well.

The Vancouver Chinatown Night Market runs along the 100 block of Keefer Street on Fridays to Sundays from 6 to 11 p.m. until September 8.