Our friends Down-Under celebrate in grand style. In fact, Chinese New Year is more than a celebration, it's a tradition that keeps getting better and better! The festivities that originally started in Chinatown have now extended to Sydney Harbour and beyond.
Sydney celebrates with over 80 events across the city as the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge dress in red for the occasion and bright colorful lanterns pop up all over the land.
Sydney's Chinese New Year Festival is one of the biggest celebrations outside of China and runs for a couple of weeks with Lunar Markets, Pop Up Food Festivals, Lion Dances, and even Dragon Boat Racing on the last weekend of the Festival.
Other signature events have in the past included Sydney's Iconic Chinese New Year Twilight Parade and of course the Fireworks over the Harbour.
Sydney Chinese New Year Highlight Events 2023
For the Lunar New Year, Sydney typically "Paints The Town Red" when famous landmarks are lit in auspicious red.
Normally included are the iconic Sydney landmarks such as the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay Station, Sydney Town Hall and many others.
Sadly, one of the most anticipated events, Sydney's iconic Chinese New Year Twilight Parade has been cancelled due to the Light Rail construction project affecting George Street, the main thoroughfare of the Parade in years past.
But, not to fret, there's still lots going on, this Lunar New Year will be as outstanding as ever.
Events to welcome the new year start in early January, here are some of the highlights:
- Lunar Lanes - Haymarket Street Party - January 21, 2023
- Chinatown Lion Dances January 21 - 22, 2023
- Lunar New Year Fireworks at Darling Harbour - January 21, 28, and February 4, 2023
- Sydney Chinese New Year Dragon Boat Races - January 28 - 29, 2023
- Chinese New Year Twilight Parade - SUSPENDED
- More Chinese New Year Fun throughout Sydney and beyond
Lunar Lanes - Haymarket Street Party
This event transforms the bustling laneways of Haymarket into an exciting street party with real community spirit in anticipation of Lunar New Year.
The streets of Chinatown will buzz with live entertainment, roving performers, face painting, kids craft activities, classic carnival games and whirling lion dancers weaving in and out of the crowds to thunderous drumming.
When: Saturday January 21, 2023 - 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Where: Chinatown, Dixon Street, Haymarket
How Much: FREE!
More Info: Lunar Lanes Haymarket Street Party
Chinatown Celebrations and Lion Dances
On a normal day, Sydney's Chinatown is a whirlwind of shops, eateries, markets and a fantastic place to walk around and soak in the atmosphere, grab a bite to eat, and get a few trinkets. Come Chinese New Year, Chinatown goes all out and a festive vibe surrounds the streets as red lanterns decorate every corner, dancing lions pop here and there and locals prepare for the most important festival in the Asian calendar.
Lunar New Year high pole performances and roaming lion shows 2023
When: January 21 - 22, 2023
Where: 9-13 Hay St, Haymarket NSW 2000
How Much: FREE!
More Info, Directions, Parking, etc.: Chinatown Lion Dances
Lion Dance Kids Workshops
When: January 14 - 15, 2023
Where: 9-13 Hay St, Haymarket NSW 2000
How Much: FREE!
More Info, Directions, Parking, etc.: Chinatown Lion Dances
Lunar New Year Fireworks at Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour is hosting an epic celebration to help you bring in the Year of the Rabbit in style. There will be colourful, interactive lion dancing, thrilling dragon boat racing, jet pack shows on Cockle Bay and of course FIREWORKS!
When: Festivities from January 21 - February 5, 2023
Fireworks on Saturdays January 21, 28, and February 4, 2023 at 9:00 pm
Where: Darling Harbour
How Much: FREE!
More Info: Lunar New Year at Darling Harbour
Sydney Chinese New Year Dragon Boat Races
Dragon Boat Races are exciting events and a Chinese tradition that dates from ancient times. Teams of paddlers race the long narrow boats to the beat of the drum down to the finish line on the final weekend of the festival in what is probably the largest dragon boat event in the southern hemisphere with over 3,000 paddlers participating. This is a full day of activities with Lion Dances, Drumming Performances and God Of Wealth appearances throughout both days.
Sydney Chinese New Year Dragon Boat Races 2023
When: Saturday and Sunday January 28 - 29, 2023
Where: Cockle Bay Wharf in Darling Harbour
How Much: FREE
More Info: City of Sydney.
Sydney Chinese New Year Twilight Parade
Important: The Sydney Chinese New Year Twilight Parade has been suspended due to the Light Rail construction project affecting George Street, the main thoroughfare of the Parade.
The Sydney Chinese New Year Twilight Parade has been one of the most anticipated events, with thousands of performers, lion dancers, drummers, marching bands, dragons, acrobats... 2016 saw the final year of the parade, which has been cancelled due to the Light Rail project now in progress affecting George Street and the CBD. Whether this is a temporary measure is not known at the moment. We are hoping they bring the parade back after completion of the project.
More Chinese New Year Fun Throughout Sydney
- Celebrate the year of the Rabbit at East Village with lion dancing, food, fun and entertainment - January 9 - 22, 2023
- Lunar New Year Lion Dances and Fireworks @ Glebe Temple - January 15 - 16, 2023
- Chatswood Year of the Rabbit Festival - January 18 - February 12, 2023
- Haymarket Chamber of Commerce Chinese New Year Banquet - February 3, 2023
- Lunar Spectacular Show at Centennial Hall - February 4, 2023
- More Chinese New Year events in Sydney
Chinese New Year Celebrations Around The World
filling each day with peak of health...
abundance of happiness...
bountiful prosperity...
and Zen like serenity...
More Chinese New Year Traditions and Celebrations
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