What is the Lunar New Year? 

A celebration for many cultures in Sydney, including the city’s Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Malaysian and Korean communities, this year's Lunar New Year falls on 17 February, with the city hosting events and festivals from 14 February - 1 March.

Fun fact: 2026 is the Year of the Horse, the seventh character in the Chinese zodiac, which is a symbol of confidence, ambition and strength in Chinese culture. The Fire Horse, which only occurs once every 60 years, symbolises passion, vitality and brightness. 

Lunar New Year celebrations, Chinatown

Sydney Lunar Festival 

Each year the Lunar New Year celebrations in Sydney seem to get bigger - they are said to be one of the biggest outside Asia. At the centre of the celebrations is the CBD’s Sydney Lunar Festival. Think lion dancing, cultural performances, pop-up markets, lunar lanterns, a stunning Fire Horse installation and plenty of delicious food across a 16-day celebration starting 14 February. 

Start your year of good fortune and prosperity at Sydney Lunar Streets when the lanes of Haymarket come alive with food trucks, DJs, and traditional and contemporary cultural performances. Kids’ activities, including lantern-making, crosswords and giant versions of classic games, are on offer at Horsing Around.

For more music and dance performances head to the Lunar Extravaganza on 21 February at Centennial Hall. 

Lunar New Year Festival, Haymarket

More celebrations in Sydney city 

Join celebrated musicians and personalities for the Lunar New Year Concert at the Sydney Opera House on 21 February. Enjoy an evening of entertainment with Chi Yongzhi’s comedy, storytelling by Zhang Jinshan, music from Zhang Shaobo and more. 

Hand-print a Lunar New Year card, personalise a laser-cut decoration, or 3D-print a horse at Weekend makertime for families: Lunar New Year 8-12 yrs at Darling Square Library. Little ones can craft their own miniature horse at the Chinese Garden of Friendship on 21 and 28 February.  

Dragon boating crews will battle it out on a course filled with tight corners and turns at Valentine’s Day regatta, Dragons on Darling. See drag performances, live DJs, and lots of glitter with prizes awarded to the best-dressed teams. 

Of course, it wouldn't be a celebration without food, so be sure to round up your loved ones for a cosy dinner or bustling banquet. There are over 150 places to eat and drink in Darling Harbour, including authentic Asian eats in Darling Square and Darling Quarter. Feast your way through the Chinatown Night Market held each Friday. Join a food tour of Chinatown to sample a range of street foods and snacks, learning about the Chinese-Australian community along the way.

Lunar New Year, Haymarket

Lunar New Year events in the suburbs 

In the west, lion dancing, performances, workshops, craft activities and amusement rides will light up Burwood and Cabramatta’s celebrations. Chang Lai Yuan Chinese Gardens's celebration will see Nurragingy Reserve transformed by colour, dance performances and a fireworks display on 20 February. 

Amusement rides, food trucks, fireworks and market stalls make Eastwood's event popular with visitors and locals alike. In 2026, the festival will be expanding to activate Koreatown too, with lots of cultural performances to enjoy on 28 February. 

Cabramatta Lunar New Year Festival, Cabramatta - Credit: Cabramatta Lunar New Year Festival

In the north, eat your way around Asia with 130 stalls filling Chatswood with flavoursome food on 21 and 22 February. Pony rides, a fortune booth, lantern parade and performances will delight the young and young at heart. 

In the south, Hurstville will host its 23rd Lunar New Year celebration with performances, roving acts and cooking demonstrations on 21 February. 

Chinatown, Burwood