The Weekender: February 5 – 7
CHINESE New Year celebrations are in full swing this weekend! See Australia’s largest illuminated Dragon Head at Eureka Skydeck, visit Fed Square for its Chinese New Year celebrations or visit Docklands for The Age Lunar Markets!
2016 Chinese New Year Official Opening Ceremony
February 6 (10.30am – 11.15pm) | Federation Square (Corner Swanston St & Flinders St)
Photo: Tourism Victoria via Flickr
To properly ring in the Chinese New Year, the city of Melbourne will be hosting an official opening ceremony at Federation Square which will include sights such as lion and dragon dancing, speeches, food and more.
Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Robert Doyle will declare the opening ceremony followed by more than 100 local Chinese community leaders and representatives on the main stage at Fed Square.
Once you’re done with the speeches and cultural performances, check out the other activities happening at plaza space. Learn more about Chinese paper arts, take up some Chinese zither lessons, marvel at the history of Chinese women’s dress ‘qi pao’ and try your hand at a few lessons of calligraphy.
And what celebration is complete without food? There’ll be plenty of food available from the spicy cuisine of Sichuan to sweet and sour dishes of the Cantonese. With more than 20 varieties of Chinese food to choose from, you certainly won’t be starved for choice.
To learn more about the ceremony and other events happening throughout Melbourne’s celebration of the Chinese New Year, visit the event’s official website.
Chinese New Year at Eureka Skydeck 88
February 6 – 21 (10.00am – 10.00pm daily) | Eureka Skydeck 88 (Riverside Quay, Southbank)
Melbourne’s tallest building and observation deck will be honouring the Chinese New Year by adorning its entryway with red and giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about their Chinese zodiac and fortune.
The Skydeck’s biggest attraction will be Australia’s largest illuminated Dragon Head which will be situated in the plaza in front of Eureka Skydeck.
Lavish lanterns will be on display as well as information educating visitors about the importance of Chinese New Year, Chinese culture and more. Prizes can be won thanks to fortune cookies which will be handed out.
To learn more, visit the official website of Eureka Skydeck 88.
The Age Lunar Markets
February 4 – February 14 (Various times) | Harbour Esplanade, Docklands
Photo: Scott Edmunds via Flickr
Over the course of 11 days, the Lunar Markets will pop-up at Docklands just in time for Chinese New Year.
Hosted by The Age, the inaugural markets invites visitors to celebrate Chinese New Year by way of food, music and culture.
Confirmed food stalls include Asian eateries such as: Bangkok Street Food, Dan’s Dim Sim Kitchen, Everybody Loves Ramen, Hoy Pinoy, WONDERBAO and more.
To learn more about the event, visit Lunar Markets’ official website.
Sustainable Living Festival
February 6 – 28 (Various times) | Various locations
Photo: free range jace via Flickr
If you’re tired of all red everything, get your green thumb on instead and check out the Sustainable Living Festival!
Taking place at various venues all across Melbourne, this festival invites visitors to consider ways they can improve their living and support the environment.
This weekend, go on a free guided bike tour with The Squeaky Wheel as they take you on an eco-exploration of Melbourne’s leading Green Buildings and more; learn how you can grow your own small garden of veggies or learn how to make your own soap using natural ingredients!
To learn more about the Sustainable Living Festival, visit the festival website!