Celebrating the Year of the Pig this Lunar New Year!

  • Fri Feb 01 - Sun Feb 10 2019
  • Family
  • $0.00

The Sydney Lunar Festival, which is expanding on City of Sydney’s Chinese New Year celebrations, is a vibrant and joyful celebration of Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai and Indonesian culture.

Join in the festivities with your family and enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of Asia in the heart of Sydney city from Friday 1 to Sunday 10 February 2019. And if you're hungry, check out our guide to the best places to eat this Chinese New Year

Check out some of the program highlights we think the kids will love this Sydney Lunar Festival.

Circular Quay and surrounds

Lunar Lanterns
Spectacular contemporary lanterns ranging in sizes up to 13 metres high will create the ultimate zodiac animal lantern experience at Circular Quay, from the Sydney Opera House to Overseas Passenger Terminal. Lunar Lanterns features new work by some of Australia's most exciting contemporary Asian-Australian artists including new lanterns by Qian Jian Hua (Pig at Sydney Opera House), Louise Zhang (Monkey), Pamela Lee (Sheep) and Laurens Tan (Ox).
Where:     Circular Quay
When:      1-10 February 2019
Cost:        FREE

LED lion dances
Set among the glow of the Lunar Lanterns, the illuminated LED lions and dragon come to life through slick and graceful movements that mimic the emotions of these mystical animals. Highly popular and enormously fun to watch lion dancing is thought to bring good luck and happiness while the dragon with its sweeping, wave-like patterns scares away evil spirits and promotes good fortune.
Where:     Circular Quay Foreshore
When:      8-9 February 2019; 8.15-9.30pm
Cost:        FREE

Surf Lifesaving NSW– official charity partner pop-up beach
Over the 10 day festival, the pop-up beach will be a buzzing with activity, full of volunteer surf lifesavers, games, activities, prizes, a blow up ball pit and loads of giveaways. There will also be beach chairs and umbrellas for those looking for a place to relax.
Where:     First Fleet Park, The Rocks 
When:      1-10 February, Weekdays, 1pm to 8pm and Weekends, 12pm to 8pm
Cost:        FREE

Lunar Spectacular Show
Performers from a wide range of community groups will take to the festival’s outdoor stage at the Overseas Passenger Terminal with traditional and contemporary performances including K-Pop, Japanese drumming and Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, Korean and Vietnamese dancers.
Where:     Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay
When:      1 February 2019; 7pm. 2 & 3 February 2019; 7.30pm
Cost:        FREE

The Rocks Lunar Markets
Stroll down cobblestone lanes as they come to life with the sights, scents and sounds of Asian street food. Discover unusual gifts for friends and family and see the market bursting with red lanterns, the colour for good fortune, as they line the streets.
Where:     The Rocks
When:      1-3 & 8-10 February 2019; 10am-10pm
Cost:        FREE

Chinatown and surrounds

Chinatown Celebrations
Chinatown is the historical home and the cultural heart of the Sydney Lunar Festival. It is the place to visit for an authentic traditional Lunar New Year experience. Chinatown will come alive with the sights and sounds of lion dance performances and a spectacular curtain of red, gold and pink Chinese lanterns suspended over Dixon St Mall.

Lion dances
The whole family will be amazed by the lion dance performers who will bring drumming, splendour and humour to Thomas Street, Chinatown this Lunar New Year.
Where:     Thomas Street, Chinatown, Sydney
When:      1-3 & 8-10 February 2019; 6-6.45pm
Cost:        FREE

Dragon Boat Races
Watch the biggest dragon boat races in the southern hemisphere as more than 3,000 paddlers battle it out. Before the race starts on Saturday morning, Taoist monks will bless the water with a unique eye-dotting ceremony to ensure a safe weekend of racing.
Where:     Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour
When:      9 February; 8am-5pm; 10 February; 8.30am-3pm
Cost:        FREE

Lunar Eats 

Sydney has come of the best Asian food in the world and we want to help you eat your way around Sydney this Lunar New Year. Whether you are looking for a traditional Asian banquet or something with a contemporary Asian twist there will be plenty of opportunities to savour the taste of Asia.

Sydney Fish Markets, Lunar New Year Night Market
Experience the rare opportunity of enjoying Sydney Fish Market at night. Sydney Fish Market will transform into a bright, multi-coloured Night Market, with lanterns illuminating the wharf and boardwalk, and a range of delicious seafood delights on offer. Be enthralled by traditional Lion Dancers followed by Firework display after dark.
Where:     Sydney Fish Markets
When:      8 February 2019; 4-10pm
Cost:       Costs Vary

Bodhi 1-10 February
Bodhi will be serving up special vegan set-menus that showcase contemporary Asian inspired and pan-Asian cuisine, with dishes representative of prosperity, personality and luck taking centre stage. They will celebrate with a traditional lion dance performance at the venue. Bookings essential.
Where:     Bodhi Restaurant, 2/4 College Street, Sydney
When:      1-10 February 2019 
Cost:        See menu

Old Town Hong Kong Cuisine
Celebrate the Year of the Pig with a curated special menu.
Where:     10 Dixon Street, Sydney
When:      1-10 February 2019; Special performance 8 & 9 February
Cost:        $48.80/head (4 people)

Associated Events 1 – 10 February

More than 80 associated events across Sydney will offer diverse ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year. 

Art Gallery of NSW - Year of the Pig craft activity
Celebrate the Lunar New Year and make your own playful, paper pig. All materials and instructions are provided.
Where:     Darling Harbour
When:      3 & 10 February; 11am-3.30pm
Cost:        FREE

Chinese Garden of Friendship - Chinese Brush Painting
Thanks to the Australian Chinese Brush Painting Society, enjoy an amazing talk and demonstration where they’ll demonstrated their craft. You might even be lucky enough to get your Chinese zodiac animal painted for you.
Where:     Chinese Garden of Friendship, Darling Harbour
When:      3, 10 & 17 February; 10.30am-12.30pm. 7-8 & 14-15 February; 2-3pm
Cost:        FREE

For more information, vist the website. Post and follow the conversation using #SYDLUNAR.

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