Lunar New Year Celebrations – Australia Wide
Welcome in The Year of the Ox with these event located all around Australia.
Lunar New Year (or Chinese New Year) is for many people a time to get together with friends and family to wish for good luck and a prosperous year ahead. As Asian communities celebrate the Year of the Ox, you’re invited to join in the festivities all around the country.
This year, Lunar New Year falls on Friday, February 12, but there will be plenty to see and do in the lead-up to the big day and in the days after.
For more information about Lunar New Year events in your city more information is available on the Timeout website. Below is a selection of events.
Melbourne
Chinese New Year with the MSO (February 12 to April 23 2021)
As part of Arts Centre Melbourne’s Live at the Bowl series, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is putting on a special Lunar New Year performance. The program will feature some of Melbourne’s finest Chinese-Australian musical talent including pianist Angela Li and violinist Cristian Li. They will perform pieces from Beethoven, Vivaldi, Xiaogang Ye, Zhou Tian and more. Grab your tickets here.
Sea Life At Melbourne Aquarium
Sea Life Melbourne is celebrating the Lunar New Year from February 6 to 14. There will be underwater dragon dances alongside the fish every day at 1.40pm, plus you can place your new year wish on a wishing wall next to the Penguin Playground. More information on the website.
Sydney
For latest updates on Lunar New Year in Darling Harbour, head to darlingharbour.com, Facebook or Instagram.WORKSHOPCHILDRENLUNAR NEW YEAROUTDOORPAINTING
Lunar New Year at the Chinese Gardens
Fridays to Sundays, all day Friday 12 February to Sunday 21 February
For those seeking clarity on the year ahead, a Chinese astrologer, will conduct personalised Chinese horoscope readings.
The Chinese Garden of Friendship will also host a range of interactive workshops. These include crafts for the little ones, and tea tasting where you can sample a wide range of traditional brews as well as watch a traditional tea ceremony. Lessons in Calligraphy and Chinese Brush Painting, as well as the Hopes and Dreams Bookmarks Station, will be available for the family to enjoy, with guests asked to write down their hopes and dreams for the year ahead and hang them from the garden lattice.
Brisbane
BrisAsia Festival
Sample the diversity of Asian influenced events across BrizSample a slice of Asian culture at this year’s BrisAsia Festival from 1-28 February 2021 with a rich range of extraordinary live entertainment, outdoor activity and healthy and active events to enjoy. The BrisAsia Festival is a month-long celebration of Asian culture which is embedded in diversity, creativity and inclusion.
With a range of events sure to fit everyone’s interests from food, music, business and arts and craft, this year’s festival highlights include:Bush Kindy Japanese Kamishibai storytelling and crafts.BrisAsia Bizaar, a destination of Asian culture inspired by food, art, and performance on Saturday 6 February 2021 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm on the corner of Station Road and Turton Street, Sunnybank.
Adelaide
Lunar New Year Street Party – 20th February 2021
The Lunar New Year Street Party is an annual community event featuring many exhibitors and entertainers from a wide variety of Asian cultural groups, all coming together at South Australia’s iconic cultural venue the Chinatown Adelaide Precinct, to showcase their traditions through art and flavours.
Multicultural talents from musicians to dancers will be rocking the red hot stage with their performances throughout the day and into the most spectacular summer evening.
Perth
James Street Festival February 14 2021
Being held at the Perth Cultural Centre and the new WA Museum Boola Bardip on Sunday, February 14th,from 12 PM to 9 PM, the fair is free and open to the public to share the joy of Chinese culture and customs as well as celebrate the diverse Western Australian community. It will be opened by the exciting lighting of fire crackers, followed by the blessing of our colourful lions.
The fair will feature various significant Chinese cultures such as:
- Street Food
- Performing Arts
- Arts and Crafts
- Competitions and Games
- Information Sharing
A few highlights to look out for throughout the day would include various lion and dragon dances, where you can catch a few of our colourful and exciting lions and dragons in action and the evening multicultural performances, featuring street performers, group performers, martial arts and much more.
Hobart
Tasmanians won’t be able to enjoy the festivities as much as other Australians this Lunar New Year, after celebrations were cancelled altogether.
Event volunteers said they didn’t have the capacity and resources to manage large outdoor gatherings while adhering to all COVID-19 health measures.
Darwin
The Darwin Chinese New Year Festival wrapped up this week.
It featured an indoor market filled with food stalls, live entertainment, dance troupes and cooking classes.
For more events visit our events page.