It’s always fun celebrating Chinese New Year – from delicious food to lion dances, here are all the best events…
Lunar New Year at Taronga Zoo: Year of the Snake
Celebrate Lunar New Year and the Year of the Snake at Taronga Zoo with our exciting new Reptile and Amphibian Experience. Kids can explore the special Lunar New Year trail and collect lucky prizes along the way.
FREE with your Zoo ticket or Zoo Friends annual membership.
When: From 20th January 2025
Where: Taronga Zoo, Bradley’s Head Road, Mosman
Website: https://taronga.org.au/sydney-zoo/whats-on
Chinese Calligraphy Workshop, Chatswood
“Learn the basics of Chinese calligraphy in this hands-on workshop. Guided by calligrapher Franz Cheung, former president of Australian Oriental Calligraphy Society, you’ll also learn to create your own ‘Fortunate serpent’ symbol, blending writing with art. Take home a personal masterpiece and celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Snake with a unique cultural touch!
No Chinese calligraphy and painting experience required. Ink, brushes and Chinese paper provided. Bookings essential. (This workshop is intended for adults. Accompanied children aged 8+ are also welcome – bookings for children aged 8+ are required.)
When: Saturday, 25 January 2025, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Where: Creator Space. Chatswood Library, 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood,
Website: click here
Celebrate Lunar New Year at The Mix, Chatswood
Join The Mix as they celebrate The Year of the Snake with these activities:
Watch the Lion Dance on Saturday 25 January and Saturday 8 February from 11am on Plaza Level
See Features Creatures Reptile Display where you can meet and take photos with spiders, amphibians, bugs and the star of the show, the snake, on Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 February from 10am to 1pm.
When: January 25 and February 8 11 AM and February 1 and 2, 10AM – 1PM
Where: Chatswood Place
Website: https://www.chatswoodplace.com.au/whats-on/lny/
Lunar New Year Wishing Tree
Kids Lion Dance Workshop at Warringah Mall, Brookvale
Perfectly designed for children, this Lion Dance workshop offers an unforgettable experience that combines culture, creativity, and movement.
Children will:
- Discover the Story of the Lion Dance: Learn about its rich history, cultural significance, and role in Lunar New Year celebrations through an interactive storytelling session.
- Feel the beat: Get hands-on with traditional instruments like drums and cymbals while learning a short rhythmic beat.
- Step into the Lion’s shoes: Explore the colorful lion dance costume, understand its design, and even try it on for a mini-performance!
- Learn to dance: Pick up basic lion dance movements and perform alongside peers for an exciting finale.
This workshop is a perfect combination of education, teamwork, and fun, leaving kids inspired and energised while celebrating Chinese culture.
For primary school aged children, school years 1 to 6.
When: Wednesday, 29 January 2025 – 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Where: Warringah Mall Library, Shop 650/145 Old Pittwater Rd
Interactive Cantonese Opera Performance, Chatswood
Join us this Lunar New Year to experience the captivating art form of Cantonese Opera. This event is perfect for anyone interested in the cultural significance of the Lunar New Year, as well as those curious about the art of Cantonese Opera. Whether you’re celebrating the New Year, looking to expand your knowledge, or just love discovering new traditions, this event offers something for everyone.
Learn about its rich heritage and its ties to Lunar New Year festivities, then engage directly with performers and learn about the traditions that make this art form so unique. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the phoenix coronet, the intricate headpiece worn by opera performers. You’ll also enjoy live performances of famous iconic Cantonese Opera works.”
When: Friday, 31 January 2025, 01:30 PM – 02:30 PM
Where: Chatswood Library, 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood
Website: (click here)
Lantern Parade, Chatswood
Get set for “an enchanting evening of cultural wonder at the Chatswood Year of the Snake lantern parade, where the streets of Chatswood come alive with the glow of hundreds of lanterns from handheld to large displays. There will be vibrant dancers and harmonious melodies of traditional Asian music by marching bands and performers. This celebration, set against the backdrop of our diverse local neighbourhood, promises to be a spectacle of light, color, and community spirit.
So come early, find a spot on Victoria Avenue and experience the warmth of our local community… Enjoy local delicacies from the Celebration Day stalls and engage in cultural exchanges from our service stalls. Celebrate the diversity that makes Chatswood a truly unique place.”
When: Saturday, 1st February 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Chatswood, Victoria Avenue, Chatswood, 2067
Website: https://www.visitchatswood.com.au/LNY/Events/Lantern-parade-2025
Lunar New Year Celebration Day 2025, Chatswood
Welcome in the Year of the Snake at one of Sydney’s largest Lunar New Year celebrations.
“With over 130 stalls spread throughout Chatswood on Victoria Avenue from Chatswood Interchange to Archer Street, you’ll smell the aroma of steamed dumplings, fried rice, and succulent pork rolls as well as many other flavours from the globe as we all celebrate the Year of the Snake.
Head to The Concourse to enjoy a full day of outdoor entertainment. From traditional Asian music to modern pop, relax in the atmosphere while enjoying some juicy dim sum from the market.”
When: Saturday, 1st February 2025, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Where: Chatswood, Victoria Ave, Chatswood, 2067
Website: https://www.visitchatswood.com.au/LNY/Events/Lunar-New-Year-Celebration-Day-2025
Reptile Show at The Mona, Mona Vale
Celebrate the Year of the Snake by joining The Mona for an in-venue reptile show! This event is FREE ENTRY.
When: Sunday 2nd February and 13th April from 12:30pm
Where: 2 Park Street, Mona Vale
Website: https://themona.com.au/whats-on/kids-whats-on
St Ives Twilight Market – Lunar New Year Special
Celebrate The Year of the Snake with us! We have a huge Lunar New Year themed event coming for the whole family!
What can you expect?
Lantern Installation
Lion Dancers Show
Calligrapher
Asian Foods & Desserts
Street Food Stalls
Gourmet Food Trucks
Specialty Desserts Trucks
Market & Craft Stalls
Kids Rides & Jumping Castles
$30 Kids Unlimited Rides Wristbands
Carnival & Sideshow Games
FREE EVENT ENTRY TO ALL
Street Parking Available
Leashed Pets are welcome
When: Friday 7th February 2025, 5PM to 9PM
Where: St Ives Village Green, Memorial Ave St Ives
Destination NSW tells us there’s lots in store this year! “Watch the colourful Lion Dances take over the city streets from Town Hall to Darling Quarter across the festival days, and enjoy live entertainment, roving performers, market stalls and food trucks in the laneways of Haymarket at Sydney Lunar Streets on 1 February.
Visit the Chinese Garden of Friendship for tea ceremonies, fortune readings, a Twilight Garden Party and more, and continue your journey to Darling Harbour for entertainment, lion dances and the Dragon Boat Festival from 7 – 9 February.
Watch beautiful cultural dances for free from Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean community groups at Lunar Spectacular at Centennial Hall. And visit the Sydney Opera House for events like the Lunar New Year’s Eve Gala or the Lunar New Year Concert by the Hong Kong String Orchestra.
Check out Lunar New Year-themed artwork across the city: 12 beautiful four-metre-tall zodiac lanterns will be peppered through Haymarket and George Street; an installation of a family of snakes sliding along Dixon Street; a tribute to Thai, Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese culture via four traditional hand-painted Lunar Gateways that will be illuminated at night; and the Art Gallery of NSW’s new exhibition Cao Fei: My City is Yours by the acclaimed multimedia Beijing artist.
Kids can immerse themselves in the culture of the festival with free Rattle Drum Workshops, making their own traditional ‘bo’ to chase away bad spirits, or join a two-day Lion Dance Class.”
Main image credit: Destination NSW
