Sydney Lunar Festival is happening from 21 January to 5 February. It’s the time to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with fabulous feasts, spectacular shows and magnificent artworks.

Below is a list of events and locations.

Sydney Lunar Streets

Hay Street, Haymarket

Saturday 21 January, 5pm to 10pm

Kick off your Lunar New Year celebrations and see the laneways of Haymarket transformed into an exciting street party. Chinatown will buzz with live entertainment, roving performers, market stalls, food trucks, DJs and lion dances.

Lunar Spectacular Shows

Lunar Spectacular shows

Sydney Town Hall

Saturday 4 February from 10am

Performers share their culture through traditional and contemporary dance and music. See the official Sydney Lunar Festival site for show information and free bookings.

Banner Galleries

Various locations

Saturday 21 January to Sunday 5 February

Five Asian–Australian artists share what the Year of the Rabbit means for them in colourful, bright and engaging banner artworks displayed on our outdoor banner galleries. Visit Sydney Lunar Festival for gallery locations.

Lion dancers at Lunar Lanes

Daily lion dancing performances

Monday to Thursday, 12pm and 12.30pm at Town Hall steps Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 7.30pm and 8pm at Dixon Street Mall, Chinatown

Lion dancing troupes will ring in the Lunar New Year with plenty of drumming, flamboyance and skill.

Lunar Gateways

Corner of Campbell and George streets and corner of Thomas and Hay streets

Saturday 21 January to Sunday 5 February

Each gateway is hand painted with design and cultural references to Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese architectural features.

 

Dragon boat racing

Dragon Boat Races

Welcome Ceremony Friday 27 January

Saturday 28 January, 8am to 5pm and Sunday 29 January 8:30am to 3pm

Watch the biggest dragon boat races in the southern hemisphere as more than 3,000 paddlers churn up the waters and battle it out.

Celebrate the year of the Rabbit at South Eveleigh

Cornwallis Street, Eveleigh

Sunday 22 January from 11am to 4pm

Enjoy Lunar performances, cultural activities and specially curated dishes from Kylie Kwong’s Australian-Cantonese eatery Lucky Kwong, Eat Fuh and Pepper Seeds Boutique Thai Bites plus more.

Thai Town Lunar Fest

Metro Hotel Marlow, 431-439 Pitt St, Haymarket

Saturday 21 January to Sunday 5 February

Enjoy spectacular street decors, delicious authentic Thai food and shopping in Thai Town.

Lunar Sea

Australian Maritime Museum

Saturday 4 February to Sunday 5 February

A weekend of captivating cultural performances, creative family friendly workshops, tours and trails.

Want more?

Discover the Sydney Lunar Festival program.

by jay