Lunar New Year is upon us, and celebrations in Melbourne are kicking off in style. See traditional lion dances bring in prosperity and good fortune, take part in festivals, try some fun activities and more. This year, Lunar New Year will take place on Saturday February 10, and there’s plenty of cool things to do around Melbourne, both on the day, and in the weeks before and after. Are you ready to celebrate?
1. Visit Chinatown for the Chinese Lunar New Year Dragon Festival
Visit the historic Chinatown, and celebrate at the Chinese Lunar New Year Dragon Festival. Look forward to a dragon parade, cultural performances, lion dance troupes and bustling market stalls. The festivities will run from 10:30am on Sunday February 11. Learn more here.
Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
2. Check out the Chinese Museum & Street Festival Day
Take in the sights and sounds of the street festival in Chinatown, then enjoy discounted entry to the Chinese Museum. Learn the significance of the Chinese dragon in an exhibition, find out your fortune, see the dragon parade and more. The celebrations will run on Sunday February 11 from 1:30pm to 6pm. More info here.
📍22 Cohen Place, Melbourne, VIC 3000
3. Welcome the Year of the Dragon at 206 Bourke Street
Head to 206 Bourke Street for plenty of Lunar New Year festivities on Saturday February 10 and Sunday February 11. Take plenty of photos with roaming dragon mascots and at the dragon installation, see a lion dance performance, find out your fortune, take part in workshops and marvel at a variety of cultural performances. See the full schedule here.
📍206 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
4. Take part in the celebrations at NGV
NGV is welcoming the Year of the Dragon with music, activities and more. See special lion and dragon dances, listen to a Chinese orchestra and opera singers, see a Korean percussion performance, take part in a community fashion parade, make a dragon crown, dance at the Dragon’s Breath Bubble Party and more. The Lunar New Year festivities will run from 10am to 5pm on February 10 and 11. Entry is free.
📍180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3006
5. See what’s happening at QV Melbourne
A free installation is coming to QV Melbourne to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. The Dragon’s Tail installation will be a brightly coloured dragon’s tail that will dance in the wind, and reach over six metres tall. Take pictures and scan a QR code to read the mythical Tale of the Dragon by Bon Wai Chou. The installation will be open daily from 10am to 10pm from February 8 to 21. If you visit between 1 and 4pm, you’ll also have an opportunity to receive lucky red packet giveaways.
There will also be lion and dragon dances at 5pm on February 9, 10 and 11.
📍Cnr Lonsdale Street and Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
6. Launch into the new year at Crown
There will be lots to see and do for Lunar New Year at Crown Melbourne. See the Zodiac Spectacular installation in the Atrium, and see all the animals of the zodiac cascading down the main stairs. There will also be roving performers from February 10 to 18, including lion and dragon dances. Keep an eye on the Yarra for a water dragon puppet display, and feast on banquets at Silks, Conservatory and Spice Temple. See what’s on here.
📍8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006
7. See a lion dance at Queen Victoria Market
See 100 red lanterns light up the market sheds, then, watch a lion dance make its way through Queen Victoria Market on Saturday February 10. The lion dance will start from Mary Martin Bookshop in String Bean Alley at around 10am. Learn more here.
📍Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000
8. Celebrate Lunar New Year at Melbourne Museum
Melbourne Museum will have a heap of fun programs to help usher in the New Year. Watch lion and dragon dances, take part in creative activities, and learn more about Australian dragons. The Lunar New Year Family Day will take place on Saturday February 10, from 10am to 3pm. Learn more here.
11 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC 3053
9. Visit the Immigration Museum for their festivities
The Immigration Museum is celebrating Lunar New Year with performances and activities. See traditional Chinese music and dance performances, make games and crafts from Korea and Vietnam, and take part in a paper cutting workshop. This special event will take place on Saturday February 10, from 10am to 5pm. Find out more.
10. Listen to a performance from Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Listen to soprano Hui He, also known as “China’s greatest gift to the world of opera”, perform selections by Qiufeng and Leoncavallo. This concert by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Xu Zhong. The performance will blend Chinese and Western works, celebrating cross-cultural connections through music. Check it out at Hamer Hall on Saturday February 17 at 7:30pm. See more here.
100 St Kilda Rd, Southbank VIC 3004
11. Admire sea dragons at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
Seahorse Pier at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium will transformed into a vibrant hub for the Lunar New Year. Along with the resident sea dragons, you can look forward to keeper talks and activities. Fill the space with positive energy and share your hopes and dreams to the magical Wishing Wall. You can also purchase a Lunar New Year coin to commemorate the occasion. The celebrations will run from February 10 to 18. See more here.
📍Corner King & Flinders Streets, Melbourne VIC 3000
12. Ring in the new year at Collins Square
Collins Square is celebrating Lunar New Year with a series of performances, cultural activities and giveaways. From February 12 to 23, they’re giving out red packets filled with gift cards if you spend $15 or more. On Thursday February 15, there will be lion and dragon dance performances as well as a special calligraphy station. And finally, from February 6 to 22, there will be a pop-up gallery, filled with artwork from local Chinese Australian, Jia Xin Nong. Learn more here.
📍727 Collins St, Docklands VIC 3008
13. Check out the Lunar New Year Festival in Box Hill
If you live in the east, you’ll definitely want to head to Box Hill for this free, community festival. This event will stretch from Whitehorse Road to the heart of Box Hill Central. Expect performances, traditional arts, plenty of delicious food, amusement rides, a petting zoo and more. The festival will start at 11am and run until midnight on Saturday February 17. More info here.
Box Hill Town Hall, Bank Street, Box Hill 3128
14. Have heaps of fun at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre
There will be a stack of activities to welcome the Year of the Dragon at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre in Chadstone. Search for dragons in MINILAND Melbourne and find the Year of the Dragon parade. Try a creative workshop and build a festive set. There will also be themed sets for you to purchase and take home. Check it out from February 10 to 18. See more here.
📍Level 2, Chadstone, 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone VIC 3148
15. Have fun with the Lunar New Year Dragon Boat Festival in Docklands
Head over to Victoria Harbour in Docklands for the Lunar New Year Dragon Boat Festival. Watch the dragon boats race their way down the harbour and cheer on the paddlers. While you’re there, check out some cultural performances, lion dances, family activities and food trucks. This festival will take place on Sunday February 25. Find more info here.
Victoria Harbour, Docklands VIC 3008