Spending Chinese New Year in Melbourne
Chinese New Year celebrations are on this weekend. Diane Leow has the scoop on the best events to ring in the Year of the Snake.
If you’re spending your Chinese New Year here in Melbourne this year, don’t fret – there are plenty events going on in and around the city that promise to make it a memorable experience!
Chinese New Year at Federation Square
Chinese New Year’s Eve, February 9
The eve of the Lunar New Year is usually spent having dinner with family. But if you don’t have dinner plans on Saturday, don’t spend it at home! Gather a few friends, grab some dinner in takeaway boxes and enjoy a free screening of All’s Well Ends Well at 7pm.
Day 1 of Chinese New Year, February 10
There’s also a traditional lion dance performance to look forward to on Sunday at Federation Square from 1pm.
Enjoy a lion dance performance, or have some Chinese street food at the Chinese New Year Festival, happening in various locations around Melbourne. Photo: Chinese New Year Festival Australia
Chinese New Year Festival
February 9-10, and February 17
The Chinese New Year Festival comes to you this year – with festivities happening in Braybrook, Chinatown, Box Hill and Glen Waverley.
Look out for food stalls, lion dances, and even special Chinese-themed performances.
If you feel like staying up late on Saturday, countdown to Chinese New Year at Box Hill!
For more information, please click here.
Check out the world’s largest processional Chinese dragon in Chinatown this weekend. Photo: Chinese Museum
Chinese Museum
February 10
For something a little different, the Chinese Museum is offering free entry on Sunday February 10 to coincide with the Chinese New Year celebrations happening in Chinatown. Check out the exhibition titled “Celebrating the Year of the Snake”, where cultural aspects of the festive season are explained, and popular traditions among Chinese communities around the world are introduced.
Melbourne is also home to the world’s largest Chinese processional dragon – so you never know if you’ll get an additional dose of luck if you do spot it roaming around Chinatown!