Get ready to roar as Darling Harbour and The Rocks kicks off the Year of the Tiger with festive fun! From 29 January – 14 February, the two precincts will light up with Lunar New Year celebrations as we ring in 2022, a year symbolising strength and bravery.

Darling Harbour

Kick off the celebrations by marvelling at the Lunar New Year Gates at Tumbalong Park and the ICC Forecourt. The two brightly-coloured gates were designed by Australian-Chinese artist Tianli Zu and feature intricate designs celebrating Lunar New Year.

Catch the Lunar Block Party at the Pier St. Underpass on Saturday 29 January between 2.30pm- 7.30pm with live dance performances, workshops, demonstrations, DJ performances and more, MCed by Australian hiphop legend Mistery. This year, you can participate in a freestyle street football showcase (for which Red Bull freestyle footballer Tommy K will be on hand to workshop), TikTok dance workshops and the Lunar Block Party Battles, where you can put your street dance skills to the test and win!

For Hello Kitty lovers and for those that just love art; experience the magic of Hello Kitty Town in the heart of Darling Square this Lunar New Year. The immersive, creative outdoor exhibition experience will be taking place from Saturday 29 January through to Friday 29 April. It will feature artworks and installations from Hello Kitty and friends, as interpreted by Australian and International artists. Be sure to grab a bite to eat from one of Darling Square’s delicious restaurants as you take in the exhibition.

To celebrate The Year of The Tiger the Chinese Garden of Friendship has curated a jam-packed line up of activities and events to take guests through the Lunar New Year. Kicking off the celebrations on Saturday, 29 January in the Garden forecourt is the boisterous, interactive and colourful Lion Dance, embracing the beauty, art, culture, traditions and history of China. With movements and gestures that closely mimic the emotion of the mystical animal, each dance is said to bring good luck and fortune.

Next, head into the Garden and be amazed by the Graphic Wall installation by Chris Yee, inspired by Asian colouring books and graphic novels with a modern twist, featuring the 12 animal zodiac. While you’re there, enjoy a range of workshops and demonstrations, including lantern making, lion dancing, live music, meditation, zodiac readings, tea ceremonies, brush painting and watercolour painting, and even dumpling making! The Garden will also be home to a music program presented by the Institute of Australian and Chinese Arts & Culture.

Take to the streets of Chinatown on Saturday 29 January as Lunar New Year kicks off! The lanes and streets will be transformed in the spirit of Lunar Lanes, creating a buzzing festival hub featuring carnival games, food trucks, kids activities, roving dancers, DJs and cultural performances. Be sure to check out the Lantern Curtain featuring over 660 Chinese nylon lanterns with unique tiger designs.

Finish your night with a bang and watch on as the Lunar inspired fireworks at Cockle Bay light up the night sky with vibrant colours of red, gold and orange. The fireworks will be on show on Saturday 29 January at 9pm.

Lunar Nights. Running on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 February between 5pm – 10pm, experience a relaxing open-air oasis featuring favourite Asian movies (including Kung Fu Panda, The Farewell, Shaolin Soccer and Crazy Rich Asians), lounge seats, mahjong tables and lunar inspired theming and lighting.

For some daytime adventures, Darling Harbour has your plans sorted. Over Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 February, Cockle Bay Harbour will be home to a series of Dragon Boat races, presented by the City of Sydney and Dragon Boats NSW. Whilst exploring the Harbour, you’ll likely bump into the Lion Dancing performances, high energy roaming dancers, bringing festive fun.

For some Lunar New Year eats, check out some of Sydney’s best dumplings at Gardens by Lotus, XOPP by Golden century, Lilong by Taste of Shanghai, Harajuku Gyoza Beer Stadium and Lok Lok Dumpling Bar, noodles at Tan Viet Noodle House, NokNok Thai Eating House, Chinta Ria Buddha Love, Kusuka, Kao Kao and Hakatamon Ramen or something sweet at Bubble Nini, Matcha-Ya, Auvers Cafe, Bengong Black  and Pancakes on The Rocks.

The Rocks 

Lunar New Year celebrations are in no short supply this year in The Rocks! Masterchef alum, writer and celebrity chef Adam Liaw will be stopping by The Rocks Square for In Conversation with Adam Liaw – a short free talk series where Adam will speak to the influence of Asian cuisine on the Australian palette and the origins of Lunar New Year. Not to be missed, the exclusive free talks will take place on Saturday 5 and Saturday 12 February at 4pm.

The popular Rocks Lunar Markets are back with a bang, taking over the streets of The Rocks on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Explore the unique shopping offering and experience dozens of food stalls serving delicious Asian delicacies; from mouthwatering skewers, delicious dumplings and tasty bao. In a perfect partnership to ring in The Year of The Tiger, Tiger Beer has come on board as sponsor of Lunar New Year in The Rocks. Enjoy an ice cold beer amongst the hustle and bustle of the markets at the Tiger Beer Lunar Bar, then venture further into the markets, drink in hand, to find hundreds of glowing red lanterns lighting the streets and illuminated maple trees, before stopping by to hang your wishes for the New Year on the Wishing Tree in The Rocks Centre. Lion dancers will be roaming and live music by local performers like DJ Mowgli May and Krystie Steve will make an experience like no other.

Welcoming you into the 2022 Lunar New Year celebrations is the two metre tall Sumatran Tiger lantern installation at First Fleet Park lighting your way up to the lunar festivities in the heart of The Rocks.

Whilst checking out the Lunar Markets on Friday nights, why not stop in to the Laneway Cinema @ The Rocks? As a special Lunar treat we’ll also be showing movies on Wednesday AND Friday evenings, so stop by to catch some Lunar-inspired favourite flicks for free, all whilst relaxing under the stars. Find the full movie lineup here.

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by jay