Lunar New Year is celebrated by those in countries including (but not limited to) China, Vietnam, Korea and Japan – as well as Australia, thanks to the diaspora of those countries. It begins on the first new moon and ends on the first full moon of the lunar calendar, lasting about two weeks. This year, it runs from February 1 to 15. Every year is assigned one of the 12 animals that make up the Chinese zodiac; 2022 is the Year of the Tiger.
Lunar New Year is a time for families to gather for feasts and to exchange red pockets stuffed with money for good fortune. At those feasts, expect auspicious dishes, with restaurants across Sydney following suit with special Lunar New Year menus: Taste of Shanghai’s fortune fish dumplings, Din Tai Fung’s tiger bao or Ho Jiak’s yee sang (prosperity toss salad). Beyond Chinatown, suburbs across Sydney will also host events to celebrate the occasion and spread good fortune.
Here’s where to ring in the Year of the Tiger in Sydney.
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SIGN UPSydney CBD and Chinatown
The heart of Sydney will transform into a brightly lit canvas with art installations layered across the CBD and Chinatown. A series of illuminated lanterns representing the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac line George Street and Chinatown, while the city streets will transform into open-air galleries displaying the works of five local Asian-Australian artists, sharing what the Year of the Tiger means to them. Cheer on the epic dragon boat races on February 5 and 6 at Cockle Bay.
On February 12 head to Welcome to Koreatown, a one-night street festival on Wilmot Street celebrating the style and culture of Korea. The Lunar Spectacular Show, featuring an array of community performers in Town Hall, will close out the fortnight of celebrations on February 12. And throughout the celebrations, keep an eye out for street performers and dragon dancers roaming the streets of the CBD and Chinatown.
Chatswood
It’s a weeks-long party at Chatswood, where the Lunar New Year festival is running until February 20. Headlining the program is the Comedy Festival, featuring a line-up of ace Asian-Australian comedians including Alex Lee, Lawrence Leung, Annie Louey, Michael Hing and more. Attend a free outdoor concert series in The Concourse, with performances by Rainbow Chan, Anso, Maggie Tra and Yeo, or an enchanting performance of Mozart’s The Magic Flute by Pacific Opera and the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra.
If you’re feeling hungry, follow a food trail curated by food writer Lee Tran Lam, highlighting Lunar New Year delicacies across Chatswood, from Red Chilli Sichuan Restaurant to Eat Fuh, Xin Jiang Handmade Noodle and Khao Pla.
Every Thursday and Friday during the celebrations, as well as on Saturday February 5, markets will pop up in Chatswood Mall selling flowers, decorations and festive treats. And don’t forget to snap a selfie with the large inflatable tiger installation by Amigo & Amigo at The Concourse reflection pool.
Cabramatta
Lock February 19 and 20 into your calendars for Cabramatta’s Lunar New Year celebrations. At 10.30am and 2pm on the Saturday, beloved character Bluey and her sister Bingo will entertain kids with an interactive show. A "Mekong Activation Zone" will be set up in Freedom Plaza, and will feature a visit from the God of Wealth, caricature drawings, lion dancing, free face painting and more. In the evening a DJ will entertain revellers under the lanterns, topped off by a 9pm fireworks display.
Eastwood and Ryde
Does a lion dance, food trucks and an outdoor cinema showing Kung Fu Panda 3 sound like a recipe for excitement? If so, then pop by Eastwood’s Lunar New Year celebration on February 12. The City of Ryde will also host a series of events over the new year period, including workshops to learn how to cook dumplings and scallion pancakes, drawing classes and poetry readings. Plus, Eastwood Plaza will be lit with 800 paper lanterns until February 15.
Hurstville
Hurstville will be cooking up a storm for this year’s celebrations. Every Friday night (February 4, 11 and 18) parts of Macmahon Street and Forest Road will be pedestrianised for night markets serving delicacies from an array of Asian cuisines. Roving acrobats and entertainers will keep punters entertained as they feast. And, until February 20, Taste Cultural Food Tours, a not-for-profit that invests its proceeds into training migrants and helping them find employment, will run food tours of the area, swinging past a range of eateries serving dumplings, bubble tea, Mongolian pancakes and more. Plus, a three-metre-tall tiger, lanterns and light projections will be installed in Hurstville Plaza, and roaming jugglers, cultural dancers and handouts of red pockets will take over streets around Hurstville.
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