We’ve rounded up some of the best things to do and places to eat during Sydney Lunar Festival. It’s happening from 10-25 February.
Featured events
Sydney Lunar Streets
Haymarket
Saturday 10 February, 5pm–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.
Lion dancing and cultural performances
Thomas Street, Haymarket
Fridays to Sundays, 6pm–6:30pm
Sunday 11 February to Sunday 25 February
Lion dancing troupes and cultural groups ring in the Lunar New Year with plenty of drumming, dance, flamboyance and skill.
Dragon boat races
Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour
Welcome ceremony: Friday 16 February
Racing day 1: Saturday 17 February
Racing day 2: Sunday 18 February
Watch the biggest dragon boat races in the southern hemisphere as more than 3,000 paddlers churn up the waters and battle it out.
Dragon on Dixon
Dixon Street, Haymarket
Every day, Saturday 10 February to Sunday 25 February
A Wood Dragon centrepiece takes over Dixon Street Mall this Lunar New Year.
Light rail dragon
City centre and surrounds
Saturday 10 February to Sunday 25 February
This dragon is happy to take you on a ride. Catch a glimpse of this colourful light rail dragon and hop on board during the festival.
Lunar Spectacular Show - Allocation Exhausted
Sydney Town Hall
Saturday 17 February
Two shows: 2pm and 5pm
Performers from Chinese, Korean, Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese communities share their culture through traditional and contemporary dance and music. Book your free tickets.
The Great Dragon Race
George Street, Haymarket
Saturday 24 February, 11am–1pm
Join the official Sydney Lunar Festival scavenger hunt. The first 20 people to successfully complete all 8 tasks will receive their very own 3D-printed dragon.
Lunar gateways
Haymarket, various locations
Saturday 10 February to Sunday 25 February
Don’t miss seeing these impressive structures beautifully illuminated at night. Each gateway is hand painted with Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, or Thai cultural designs.
Banner galleries
Haymarket, various locations
Saturday 10 February to Sunday 25 February
Four Asian-Australian artists share what the Year of the Dragon means for them. Don’t miss the colourful and vibrant banner artworks displayed on our outdoor banner galleries on Sussex Street, George Street, Alfred Street and Harbour Street.
See, make and buy art
Sydney LNY Market
1 Dixon Street, Haymarket
Saturday 17 February, 10am–3pm
Browse the stalls of over 20 local Asian Australian artists and small businesses and take home some art to bring you luck for the year. Plus, enjoy giveaways, lion dances and more!
Cosmic Neighbour
Blank Gallery
Level 2, 17 Valentine Street, Haymarket
Mondays and Thursdays to Sundays, Thursday 25 January to Monday 26 February
To welcome the Year of the Dragon, twin brothers Chris and Andrew Yee join hands once more in their graphically scintillating show, Cosmic Neighbour.
Happy Dragon4Harmonious World
China Cultural Centre, Sydney
Monday 12 to Wednesday 14 February
Learn something new at cultural lectures and take part in calligraphy, paper cutting, Peking opera mask painting, Chinese knot weaving and more at this 3-day event.
Journey through tradition: a celebration of Chinese icons
Darling Square Community Bank
Thursday 1 February to Friday 29 March
Step into a world where time-honoured Chinese traditions and cherished iconic motifs come alive in this solo exhibition by Anthony Van Lam.
Celebrate Lunar New Year with the Australian Chinese Painting Society
The Shop Gallery, 112 Glebe Point Road, Glebe
Thursday 15 February to Wednesday 21 February
This week-long exhibition features rice paper paintings by members of the Australian Chinese Painting Society. See how traditional, modern and experimental painting styles push the boundaries of this unique medium.
In our time: 4 decades of art from China and beyond
National Art School gallery
Thursday 18 January to Saturday 30 March
See a special selection of artworks by artists working in both China and Australia, from the collection of Dr Geoff Raby AO, an Australian economist and diplomat.
Soul of Chinatown’s Year of the Dragon art fundraiser
Bancho bar, 10 Thomas Lane, Haymarket
Wednesday 21 February, 5:30pm
The works of talented Asian-Australian artists go to auction at this art fundraising event in Chinatown’s premier speakeasy bar.
Performances
Chinatown Comedy Club
the six:twelve, 6–12 Harbour Street, Haymarket
Friday 16 February, 8pm to late
See some of Australia’s best comedians perform in the first comedy club in Sydney’s Chinatown. Enjoy a Lunar New Year themed drink and prepare for a hilarious evening in a former Chinatown cinema.
Chang’an in the Fantasy World
City Recital Hall, 2 Angel Place, Sydney
Friday 23 February, 7:30pm-9:15pm
Be transported back to the ancient Chinese capital of Chang’an in this musical celebration of the Year of the Dragon. This unique concert features young performers from the Xi’an Song and Dance Theatre.
WSFM Lunar Archway
Hay Street, Haymarket
Sunday 11 February, 12pm-6:30pm
Drop by to see a magical array of acts and artists showcase their skills in front of the WSFM archway.
Australia Chinese New Year Gala
Sydney Town Hall
Sunday 11 February, 7:30pm-9:50pm
Over 300 artists will perform traditional Chinese music, classical dance, martial arts and more at this black tie event.
Legends and lanterns
Sydney Town Hall
Wednesday 14 February, from 7pm
Internationally renowned Chinese-Australian cellist Li-Wei Qin, acclaimed violinist Harmonnia Junus and the Odyssey Symphony Orchestra perform a musical fusion of east meets west at this concert.
Festival of Spring
Sydney Town Hall
Wednesday 21 February, from 7pm
The Lunar New Year also marks the arrival of spring for many Asian communities. This event features live Chinese art troupe performances of acrobatics, Peking opera, folk music and more.
Children and teens
Lunar Sea
Australian National Maritime Museum
Weekends, 10am–4pm
Saturday 10 February to Sunday 25 February
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at the Australian National Maritime Museum with tours and treasure trails, captivating cultural performances and creative family-friendly workshops.
Chinese lion and dragon dance workshops
Chinese Youth League
Level 2, 10 Dixon Street, Haymarket
Saturday 24 February, from 1pm
Learn about the history of lion and dragon dance in these workshops and get a taste of basic movements, music and performance equipment.
Talks and ideas
Screening of Shanghai Express (1932)
Sydney Mechanics School of Arts
Saturday 10 February, 12:45pm-3pm
Legendary Chinese American actress Anna May Wong stars alongside Marlene Deitrich and Clive Brook in Shanghai Express. Learn about the Lincheng Outrage of 1923, the international incident that rocked the world and inspired the 1932 film.
Book launch: The China-Australia migration corridor
Darling Square Library
Saturday 17 February, 11am-1pm
Learn about the legacy and heritage of Chinese migration to Australia from the 1840s to the present day. Three guest speakers will be in conversation with the book’s authors about the history of Chinese migration to Australia.
The Yin and Yang of the Dragon
Sydney Mechanics School of Arts
Saturday 17 February, 2:30pm
Learn about the myth, metaphor and magic of this year’s Chinese zodiac animal with the Chinese Heritage Association of Australia.
Feast
Fascinating Thaitown
Laneway corner Campbell Street and George Street, Haymarket
Saturday 17 February, 11am–8pm
Explore vibrant stalls showcasing cultural treasures and artisanal Thai crafts, relax in the Singha beer garden and indulge in authentic Thai cuisine.
Taste of Chinatown
108 Dixon Street, Haymarket
Multiple dates throughout February, from 6pm
Explore Chinatown through food, stories, history and culture. Learn more about the Lunar New Year as you sample dishes from China, Korea and Malaysia on this walking cultural food tour.
Market City Tavern celebrates the Year of the Dragon
Market City Tavern
Sunday 10 to Sunday 25 February
Toast to good fortune and prosperity with drink specials and exclusive Lunar New Year cocktails in the heart of Chinatown.
Want more?
- Food and drink events during Sydney Lunar Festival
- Family friendly events during Sydney Lunar Festival
- Free things to do during Sydney Lunar Festival
Discover the Sydney Lunar Festival program.
The City of Sydney is proud to partner with SSI during Sydney Lunar Festival.