This Montreal New Year's Market will feature dragon-themed gifts, snacks and treats

The Lunar New Year is upon us in Montreal and the city is gearing up to celebrate in a big way. The free market on February 10 will feature unique gifts, traditional foods and sweets that give a taste of the holidays in many Asian communities.

From taking pictures in traditional Hong Kong New Year clothes to writing wishes with brush and ink on red paper, the market offers a hands-on experience of Lunar New Year customs.

Visitors can search for clues on divination with sticks or roll the dice in the classic game of fish-crab-crab. It's a day-long immersion in the festive traditions that make Lunar New Year an event celebrated around the world.

Organized by the Hong Kong Cultural Education Society in Montreal, the event embraces the Year of the Dragon, filling the market with dragon-themed crafts and decorations, celebrating the strength and prosperity that symbolize the auspicious year.

More than 20 vendors offer a mix of food, crafts and cultural items, from two-year-old barrel-aged Japanese soy sauce to Southeast Asian coffee beans and vintage stamps from World War II Hong Kong. You can try mango pomelo sago dessert, Cantonese shrimp roe noodles and Southeast Asian coffee beans, as well as dragon-themed crafts such as crocheted amigurumi, cards and stickers.

Most vendors only accept cash, so be prepared. In the spirit of sustainability, it is recommended that you bring your own bag.

This year's vendors include:

• Teochew Foodies
• Les Desserts Suamiao
• P&K Foodie
• Délicieux Mei Mei 美国園
• Café du Triangle D'Or
• Mrs. Delhi Kitchen
• Pan Gor
• Kawaii Stitch
• Reading
• Happy shopping
• KAZCarftCo & Okimi
• Nomylamwool
• Paper and Rice Co.
• LA MAISON DE BUN BUN
• Freehkmtl
• Tokusen
• ProMask Canada
• Design by Dre Cheung
• Studio Chibi Chic
• Lily
• Fusers
• Made by Coco
• La brasserie San-Ô Saké Inc.