Chinese New Year is being celebrated until Sunday 12th February, so don’t miss the explosion of colour, food and music at a range of amazing events welcoming the Year of the Rooster. We’ve put together the most family-friendly thing to do and see. And by the way, babies born in 2017’s Rooster year are said to be trustworthy, with a strong sense of timekeeping and responsibility!
1. The Pentatonic Rooster
Roosters symbolise the continuation of Chinese culture, and this is one rooster you have to see! The artist Tianli Zu designed the musical bird so its body is a gong, its head is a cymbal, its wattle a bell, its beak and leg are flutes, its feet are piccolos and panpipes form its comb, and kids and adults can interact with the artwork by hitting a booming gong
- Cost: Free
- Address: Dixon St, Chinatown at Haymarket
- Dates: Friday 27 January to Sunday 12 February 2017, every day
- More info: The Pentatonic Rooster
2. Rickshaw Tales: Family Program
The Rickshaw Tales are an amazing family-friendly program that gives you and your children an up-close and personal experience with Chinese culture. You can try a customised, artist-commissioned rickshaw tour of curated local food outlets in Haymarket, or decorate your own life-sized rickshaw and go on an artist-led story walk.
- Cost: Free (garden entry is a gold coin donation)
- Address: Chinese Garden of Friendship, Pier St, Sydney
- Dates: Saturday 4th February, Sunday 5th February 12.30-3.30pm
- More info: Rickshaw Tales Family program
3. Chinatown Markets
If you want to experience an authentic taste of Asia, the markets should be first on your to-do list! In the heart of Chinatown, can sample delicious morsels from hot and spicy to gorgeous fresh vegetable dishes and succulent meats! Head over at dusk and watch the bobbing lanterns light up the evening as the sounds of traditional music travel to you on the air.
- Cost: Free
- Address: Chinatown, Dixon Street, Haymarket
- Dates: Fridays until Friday 10 February from 4pm-11pm
- More info: Chinatown Markets
4. Chinatown Lion Dances
The sight of a gorgeously intricate lion dancer costume will enthrall and amaze your kids- and you! The performances take place to the cracking of red firecrackers which scare away any bad luck from the previous year as drummers provide beat and rhythm for the shaking lions! An integral part of the Lunar New Year Festival, the Lion Dance is a Chinese tradition stretching back over 1,000 years.
- Cost: Free
- Address: Chinatown, Dixon Street, Haymarket
- Dates: Thursdays to Sundays until Sunday 12 February (at 6pm and 6.30pm)
- More info: Chinatown Markets
5. Lunar Lanterns
This amazing lantern-light trail takes families on an adventure across the city to see 12 enormous, glowing animals (one for each sign in the Zodiac), including a giant monkey, a tiger, an ox and a rabbit! The centrepiece is the EIGHT METRE Roosters, which are meant to showcase beauty and confidence, vibrant colours feature throughout their feathers.
- Cost: Free
- Address: The trail takes in landmarks like Sydney Opera House and Bennelong Point
- Dates: Until Sunday 12 February
- More info: Lunar Lanterns
6. Dragon Boat Races
Watch the thrilling spectacle as these Dragon Boats race each other to the finish, while a throbbing drumbeat amps up the drama! Families will love watching the 12-metre-long boats slice through the water to a photo finish, plus there’s entertainment, food and more on dry land for in between races.
- Cost: Free
- Address: Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney (Darling Harbour)
- Dates: Saturday 11th February – Sunday 12 February 2017
- More info: Dragon Boat Racing