Celebrate Chinese New Year and the Year of the Dog with a festival of events from Friday 1 February to Sunday 4 March. From the North Shore to further afield there a lots of family friendly events including traditional lion and dragon dances, Lunar lanterns, live music and performances, dragon boat racing and fireworks displays!
North Shore
Chinese New Year Celebrations, Chatswood
This year’s entertainment program includes the traditional and very popular Lion and Dragon Dances, Chinese Kung Fu, magic show, acrobatics, folk dances and much more. The official opening will be held at 11am in Chatswood Mall.
- Where: Chatswood Mall and The Concourse
- When: Saturday 24 February
- More information
Lunar New Year at Chatswood Westfield
Celebrate the Year of the Dog with a Lion Dance performance and free kids lantern craft and face painting
- Where: Westfield Chatswood, Victoria Ave
- When: Weekends from 17 February to 4 March
- More information
Lunar New Year, Lane Cove
The event will include a host of live entertainment and activities including a Chinese lion dance, Japanese calligraphy performance, live music, creative workshops and more. Children will also receive their own lai see (lucky red envelope) for good luck.
- Where: Lane Cove Plaza
- When: Friday 23 February, 3.30pm to 6pm
- More information
Chinese New Year at Luna Park
Celebrate Chinese New Year with all your favourite rides and sideshow games, a mouth-watering dumpling station, traditional lion dancing performances and colourful firecracker displays. Plus, Unlimited Rides Pass holders all receive a fortune cookie with lucky prizes inside!
- Where: Luna Park, Olympic Drive, Milsons Point
- When: Friday 16 February to Sunday 18 February
- More information
Ryde
Lunar New Year Celebrations, Eastwood Plaza
A day long celebration including music and dance performances martial arts, dragon parade, lion dance, fire crackers and a visit from the God of Wealth.
- Where: Eastwood Plaza
- When: 3 March, 11am to 4pm
- More information
City
Chinese New Year Opening Night, Circular Quay
Celebrate the opening night of the Festival Year of the Dog with a fireworks display at 8.15pm
- Where: Circular Quay
- When: 16 February, 8.15pm
- More information
Chinese New Year Lantern Festival, Darling Harbour
A celebration with performers across 5 stage areas, food stalls and a fully integrated light display with over 300o lights
- Where: Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour
- When: 23-25 February
- More information
Dragon Boat Races, Cockle Bay
Get up close to the action and watch this heart stopping competition as the spectacular dragon boats race through the harbour to the pounding of drums and the cheering of spectators
- Where: Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour
- When: 24-25 February
- More information
Chinese New Year at the Chinese Garden of Friendship, Darling Harbour
Visit the garden for performances, demonstrations, workshops and tours.
- Where: Chinese Garden of Friendship, Darling Harbour
- When: Weekends from 17 February to 4 March
- More information
Lunar Lanters, Circular Quay
The Lunar Lanterns are a creative, contemporary interpretation of a centuries-old tradition. Exclusively designed by Australian artists, with Festival Curator Claudia Chan Shaw, the Lunar Lanterns tower up to 13 metres tall.
- Where: Circular Quay
- When:16 February – 25 February
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Lion Dances and Chinese Crackers, Chinatown
Every Friday to Sunday during the Sydney Chinese New Year festival, crackers will be set off in the heart of Chinatown. Chinese lion dancers will bring drumming, flamboyance and a flash of humour.
- Where: Chinatown, Dixon St Haymarket
- When: Friday to Sundays (16 February to 4 March), 6pm to 6.3pm
- More information
Chinese New Year Night Market, Sydney Fish Market
Experience the rare opportunity of the Sydney Fish Markets after dark. Delight your senses and dine on seafood and food stall offerings, or stock up for your own Chinese New Year feast at home from the range of fresh food retailers. Bring your friends and family and enjoy live entertainment on the boardwalk as the sun goes down.
- Where: Sydney Fish Markets Bank St, Pyrmont
- When: Friday 16 February, 4pm to 10pm
- More information