The Best Lunar New Year Events in Sydney 2023

Lunar New Year in Sydney is one of the city's largest cultural celebrations, and the 2023 celebrations are ready to go off with a colourful bang!

Ushering in the Year of the Rabbit, Lunar New Year 2023 runs from 21 January to 5 February 2023, with epic events happening all across the city. We've rounded up some of the best Chinese Lunar New Year events for Sydney families to start off the Year of the Rabbit on a seriously festive note.

Lunar New Year Events in Sydney 2023

1. Sydney Lunar Streets

One of our top picks to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit is Sydney Lunar Streets—Haymarket street festival. 

The streets of Haymarket will come alive with live entertainment, roving performers, food trucks, market stalls, DJs and plenty of performances from Sydney’s Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, Taiwanese and Japanese community groups on the main stage at Hay Street. It really is an unmissable event in the festive calendar! 

When:   21 January 2023, 5 pm -  10 pm
Where:  Dixon Street, Haymarket 
Cost:     FREE

2. Lunar New Year Buffet at Kitchens on Kent

If a belly full of incredible foods is how you'd like to ring in the Year of the Rabbit, then book a table at Kitchens on Kent and get ready for a feast. Executive Chef Stephen Lech curates authentic flavours from China, including a live wok station featuring stir-fries made to order, a selection of dim sum and dumplings from our steamer, a variety of meat, fish and vegetable dishes, plus a dessert station and much more.

When:   TBD for 2023
Where:  Kitchens on Kent at The Langham
Cost:     Lunch buffet from $88 pp; dinner buffet from $108 pp

3. Lunar Gateways 

A beautiful tribute to Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese architecture, Lunar Gateways celebrates culture and architecture.

Each gateway is hand painted and makes design and cultural references to Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese architectural features. The gateways are the perfect excuse for a wander through Haymarket, which will be abuzz with festive vibes too! 

When:   21 January - 5 February 2023
Where:  Campbell Street, Haymarket
Cost:     FREE

4. Dragon Boat Races at Cockle Bay Wharf

Indulge in a spot of Dragon Boat Racing at Cockle Bay Wharf this Lunar New Year, and enjoy traditions such as the Taoist Monks' blessing of the waters, and a unique eye dotting ceremony that's said to awaken the dragons. Paddlers churn the water as spectators watch the 12m long dragon boats battle it out for victory!

When:   28 and 29 January 2023
Where:  Darling Park, Cockle Bay Wharf 
Cost:     FREE

5. Lunar New Year at East Village 

Welcome in the year of the Rabbit at East Village with a whole lot of entertainment on offer! We're talking lion dancing, food, fun and more.

Free entertainment includes fortune telling, calligraphy, astrology and performances from the East Village's mirror bunny duo. There will also be the chance to try your luck at the Lunar Luck Shop for your chance to score some cute rabbit merch.

Note: Lion Dances will be taking place on Saturday 21st January from 4 pm to 5 pm and Sunday 22 January from 10.30 am to 11.30 am.

When:   21 January to 5 February 2023
Where:  East Village, Zetland
Cost:     FREE

6. Lunar New Year with the City of Parramatta

Celebrate the year of the Rabbit with a Lunar New Year Festival at Centenary Square. The City of Parramatta is hosting a family-friendly, fun Lunar New Year festival with night noodle markets offerings delicious food and performers. Their gorgeous lantern display and a roving performer promise to well and truly light up the night.

Where:      Centenary Square, Church Street, Parramatta
When:       Saturday 21 January 2023, 4 pm – 9 pm
Cost:         FREE

7. Chatswood Year of the Rabbit Festival

For three weeks, Chatswood will be bursting with exciting new events and familiar favourites at their Year of the Rabbit Festival. A feast of food and culture, this year’s festival includes art installations, the popular Golden Markets, Lunar New Year Comedy Festival and a Rabbit Sculpture Trail.

The famous Golden Market is on during the celebrations and will transform the mall into an Asian street fair with stallholders selling flowers, lucky bamboo, decorations, and delicious new year delicacies. 

When:   18 January to 12 February 2023
Where:  Chatswood Concourse 
Cost:     FREE entry

8. Lunar New Year in Lane Cove

Bring in the Year of the Rabbit at this special Lunar New Year In The Plaza event featuring live entertainment, creative workshops, kids activities and a spectacular lion dance by Pak Hok Kung Fu. 

The schedule includes kids' activities at the Plaza, a travelling lion dance at The Plaza and The Canopy from 5:45 pm and live music at The Canopy from 6 pm - 8 pm.

When:   3 February 2023
Where:  Lane Cove Plaza, Burns Bay Rd, Lane Cove
Cost:     FREE entry

9. Lunar New Year in Bankstown and Campsie

The City of Canterbury Bankstown invites you to share in the celebrations and explore the neighbourhood's cultural diversity as they celebrate the Year of the Rabbit in spectacular style during their Lunar New Year celebrations. Join the exciting celebrations with live entertainment, lucky envelopes given by the God of Good Fortune, lion dancing, Chinese firecrackers and more.

Campsie will be aglow with festive decorations in Anzac Street Mall and the Campsie Noodle Markets will be held on 4 February from 5-9 pm.

When:   14 January and 4 February 2023
Where:  Saigon Place (Bankstown City Plaza), Bankstown and Anzac Street Mall, Campsie
Cost:     FREE entry

10. Eastwood Lunar New Year Festival

The annual Eastwood Lunar New Year Festival extravaganza is back this year with lion dancing, an outdoor cinema, food trucks, entertainment, kids activities and plenty more - mark your calendars!

When:   4 February 2023, 3 pm - 9 pm
Where:  Eastwood Town Centre
Cost:     FREE entry

11. Lunar New Year at Novotel Sydney Central

Leap into the year of the rabbit and book a stay at Novotel Sydney Central, located near the streets of Haymarket and Chinatown which is set to come alive with parades, art installations, food markets and festive decorations. Guests can also receive complimentary calligraphy (on selected dates) in the lobby and toast the new year with a Lunar New Year-inspired cocktail and menu at the Thomas St. Kitchen & Bar.

When:   Accomodation & restaurant specials available now until 12 February 2023
Where:  Thomas St, Haymarket NSW 2000
Cost:     Stay From $279

12. Maho Magic Bar

Part show, part bar, and all magic, the Maho Magic Bar is here to intrigue, delight, and wow audiences of all ages this Lunar New Year!

If you and the kids are keen for a night of delicious dining and close-up magic right at your table, let Japan’s leading close-up magicians and sleight-of-hand specialists transform your night into a tantalisingly magical one to remember!

Where:   Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour
When:    6-29 January 2023 | 1-hour sessions from 3.15 pm to 9.15 pm
Cost:      From $68.00

What Else is Happening in Sydney

The Best Kid's Shows in Sydney
Top Sydney Beaches for Summer Dipping
Sydney's Coolest Arcades for Kids and Kid-ults

 

Have you signed up to our newsletter? Join ellaslist to get the best family and kid-friendly events, venues, classes and things to do NEAR YOU!