Enter the Dragon! The must-do events this Lunar New Year

Family-friendly events to welcome in the Year of the Dragon

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Welcome to the Year of the Dragon. Across the world over 1.5 billion people are gearing up for Lunar New Year – a celebration of the arrival of Spring in the northern hemisphere and the beginning of the new year on the lunisolar calendar*. In fact, Sydney boasts one of the largest Lunar New Year celebrations outside of China. So whether you traditionally celebrate Lunar New Year, are looking for an excuse to indulge in Chinese cuisine, or just want to experience the colour and excitement of the lion dances, we’ve compiled a list of the best family-friendly and free activities this Lunar New Year to help you make the most of this vibrant occasion.

Sydney CBD and Surrounds

Encompassing Chinatown, the Chinese Gardens of Friendship and Haymarket, it’s no surprise that many of this year’s Lunar New Year festivities will take place around the CBD.

Sydney Lunar New Year Festival (Image courtesy of City of Sydney)

🏮 Sydney Lunar Festival – Haymarket Street Party

Kick off your Lunar New Year celebrations by joining the Sydney Lunar Festival on Saturday, February 10th, from 5-10 pm in Chinatown – arguably the epicentre of Lunar New Year festivities. This lively street party will dazzle kids and kidults alike with live entertainment, roving performers, mouth-watering food trucks, market stalls, DJs, and plenty of ‘gram-worthy moments. Keep an eye out for the 20m long traditional Chinese Dragon winding its way through the streets!

Location: Haymarket
Dates:
More info: https://theinnerwestmums.com.au/event/sydney-lunar-streets-2024-at-haymarket-street-festival/

Lion Dancing (Image courtesy of City of Sydney)

🏮 Lion Dancing and Cultural Performances

Can you really celebrate Lunar New Year without a Lion Dance? An important ritual in Chinese tradition believed to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits on auspicious occasions, you can get your fix of the beating drums and dancing lions this Lunar New Year across several locations. From performances in front of Sydney’s Town Hall to the Chinese Gardens of Friendship and Darling Square, there’s a free lion dance or cultural performance just around the corner during the Lunar New Year festival. Check out times and locations to ensure you don’t miss out.

Locations: Throughout the CBD, Haymarket and Darling Square
Dates: 10 February – 25 February
More info: https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/lion-dancing-and-cultural-performances

Dragon Boat Races (image courtesy of Darling Harbour)

🏮 Dragon Boat Races, Darling Harbour

Experience the exhilaration of Dragon Boat Races – a thrilling tradition that dates back centuries – right in the heart of Darling Harbour. This annual event has grown to become the largest dragon boat festival in the southern hemisphere with more than 3,000 paddlers competing. Watch as teams paddle their way to victory, fuelled by adrenaline and camaraderie. The races will take place at various locations throughout the Lunar New Year festival, so get the details below, pack a picnic and grab a waterside spot where you can sit back and enjoy with the kids.

Location: Darling Harbour
Dates: 16-18 February
More info: https://theinnerwestmums.com.au/event/dragon-boat-races/

Lunar Lanterns (image courtesy of City of Sydney)

🏮 12 Lunar Lanterns by Erika Zhu

Marvel at the magnificent 12 Lunar Lanterns installation created by artist Erika Zhu, a fusion of traditional and contemporary interpretations of the animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Venture into the magical world of Zhu’s imagination as you explore this stunning artwork that showcases the significance of each zodiac animal. Don’t miss the opportunity to capture some Insta-worthy moments with your little ones.

Location: Haymarket
Dates: 10-25 February
More info: https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/12-lunar-lanterns-by-erika-zhu

🏮 Lunar Gateways

Take a stroll through the enchanting Lunar Gateways, an installation that celebrates Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai architecture. Delight in the intricate designs, vibrant colors, and symbolic elements that evoke feelings of luck, prosperity, and harmony. These gateways provide the perfect backdrop for family photos and a chance to learn more about Chinese culture.

Location: Haymarket
Dates: 10-25 February
More info: https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/12-lunar-lanterns-by-erika-zhu

Bobo Dumplings (image courtesy of Sydney Place)

🏮Lunar New Year at Sydney Place

Celebrate Lunar New Year at Circular Quay’s newest cultural precinct, Sydney Place, as it rolls out a vibrant program of events including traditional lion dancing, exclusive retailer offers, and the chance to win a unique dining experience for two at MATKIM – the brand new 8-seat restaurant showcasing a Korean take on omakase. Click on the link below to find out more.

Location: Sydney Place, 180 George St, Sydney
Dates: 5-18 February
More info: https://theinnerwestmums.com.au/event/lunar-new-year-vietnamese-rice-paper-roll-workshop/

Inner West Gems

There’s no need to venture further than your own backyard to celebrate the Lunar New Year – here are some local activities to enjoy.

Vietnamese Rice Paper Roll Workshops (image courtesy of Haberfield Council)

🏮 Lunar New Year Vietnamese Rice Paper Roll Workshop

Got little ones who love rice paper rolls? Learn about the history, ingredients, and evolution of Rice Paper Rolls as a favourite food in Vietnamese culture at this hands-on workshop hosted by Line Truing, an International student at the University of Wollongong, who will bring her passion and knowledge of Vietnamese rice paper rolls to this fun workshop.

Lunar New Year (image courtesy of Inner West Council)

🏮Ashfield Community Celebration

The largest Lunar New Festival in the Inner West is back at Ashfield – this year kick-off the month-long festivities with a special light projection at the forecourt of Ashfield Town Hall featuring the work of local artists. For those wanting to dive deeper into traditional Chinese arts and crafts there’s a Chinese fan watercolour painting workshop at St Peter’s Library, an artist talk on Chinese ceramics and watercolours at Dulwich Hill, and a dragon drawing workshop for kids at Ashfield Library. Then on 2 March, enjoy live performances, lion dancing and music to close off the Lunar New Year celebrations.

Location: Various
Dates: 16 February – 2 March
More info: https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/explore/whats-on/events-in-detail/lunar-new-year

Rice Pantry at Marrickville Metro (image courtesy of Marrckville Metro)

🏮 Marrickville Metro Celebrates Lunar New Year

Your fave local mall, Marrickville Metro, will be seeing in the new Lunar Year with a bunch of activities – so you can catch a lion dance and pick up some groceries at the same time. Treat the family to a special lunar banquets at Rice Pantry, Malaysian Ipoh Hawker or China Fusion. Want to know what the Year of the Dragon will bring for you? Meet the Goddess of Fortune as she graces Marrickville Metro, distributing traditional fortune cookies – each with a unique message offering a glimpse into what he Year of the Dragon has in store for you. There’ll also be lion dances and a game of fortune.

Location: Marrickville Metro, 20 Smidmore St, Marrickvile
Dates: Saturday 2 March 12:00pm to 3:00pm
More info: https://www.marrickvillemetro.com.au/campaigns/lunar-ny-2024/lunar-new-year-at-marrickville-metro

Greater Sydney Lunar New Year Festivities

Want to go further afield? Here’s our picks of the top Lunar New Year celebrations across Sydney.

Lunar New Year Lion Dance (image courtesy of City of Parramatta)

🏮Lunar New Year at Parramatta

Join in the festivities as the City of Parramatta celebrates the Year of the Dragon during Lunar New Year at Parramatta Square and Centenary Square. Expect vibrant lion dances, live entertainment, cultural performances and workshops including flower arranging, traditional Chinese and stamp printing. entertainment. Want more? There’ll be food trucks showcasing P’matta’s diverse foodie scene, ‘gram worthy lanterns and art installations and prizes and comps for the whole family.

Location: Parramatta Square and Centenary Square
Date: 10 February, 04:00pm – 10:00pm
More info: https://theinnerwestmums.com.au/event/lunar-new-year-at-parramatta-2024/

Lunar New Year festivities (image courtesy of Visit Chatswood)

🏮Chatswood Celebrates Lunar New Year

Chatswood will be alive with the Year of the Dragon Festival kicking off on 1 February and running through until the 25th. With one of the largest Chinese populations – close to 50% of Chatswood residents are of Chinese origin – the city is marking the Lunar New Year with what can only be described as a cultural extravaganza. There’s a Lunar Comedy Festival, live symphony in the park, a Soaring Dragon installation, as well as lion dancing and cultural workshops. This almost month-long festival has something for all the family. Be sure to pop into one of Chatswood’s many eateries if you’re there – many will be offering Lunar New Year banquets and dishes.

Location: Forecourt of Ashfield Civic Centre, Ashfield Town Hall
Dates: Saturday 2 March 12:00pm to 3:00pm
More info: https://theinnerwestmums.com.au/event/chatswood-celebrates-lunar-new-year-with-year-of-the-dragon-festival/

Chang Lai Yuan Chinese Gardens (image courtesy of Sydney.com)

🏮 Visit Chang Lai Yuan Chinese Gardens, Blacktown

Did you know that Blacktown’s sister city is Liaocheng – located in the Western Shangdong province in China? In fact, a stunning garden located within Nurragingy Reserve, Doonside, was designed and constructed by Blacktown City Council and Liaocheng Municipal Government in China, as a gesture of friendship between the two sister cities. Local government relations aside, this Lunar New Year why not get a first hand glimpse of traditional Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture featuring in the gardens (be sure to check out the Gateway, Seven Arch Stone Bridge, and Light Mountain Pavillion) along with your fix of Lunar New Celebrations at the Chang Lai Yuan Chinese Gardens? Blacktown City will be welcome in the Year of the Dragon with a day of activities – from 5pm onwards kids can enjoy face painting, dough sculptures and fortune telling, there’ll also be kids’ rides, fan decorating and lion dances galore.

Location: Chang Lai Yuan Chinese Gardens, Knox Rd, Doonside
Dates: 10 February, 5pm – 10pm
More info: https://theinnerwestmums.com.au/event/chatswood-celebrates-lunar-new-year-with-year-of-the-dragon-festival/

*According to Wiki, the lunisolar calendar is one that indicates both the Moon Phase and the time of the solar year – ie the position of the Sun in the Earth’s Sky. Unlike our regular (Gregorian) calendar which is based on the solar year, the time it takes the Earth to orbit the sun, the lunisolar calendar takes into account both the Moon phase and position of the Sun.

Do you celebrate Lunar New Year? Leave a comment below and share with us how you mark this event with the family 🥟

About Author

Francesca Millena

Writer, foodie and ideas-sponge, Francesca grew up in the Inner West and loves writing about all things IW related from playgrounds and podcasts, restaurants and retail, bubble tea and basketball courts. Mum to an active child, she also knows a thing or two about keeping a little one entertained on a rainy day.

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Enter the Dragon! The must-do events this Lunar New Year

Family-friendly events to welcome in the Year of the Dragon