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Culturally and linguistically diverse, Entertainment

MEDIA ALERT: Chatswood Celebrates the Year of the Snake with a Festival of Food, Art, and Culture this Lunar New Year

Willoughby City Council 2 mins read

TIME AND DATE: TOMORROW - 10am, Thursday 23 January 2025
LOCATION: The Concourse, Chatswood. 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood. In front of the main Concert Hall stairs.

Willoughby City Council will officially launch its Lunar New Year with the Year of the Snake Festival on 23 January at 10am at The Concourse, Chatswood. The Festival offers a vibrant mix of culinary delights, entertainment, and cultural experiences in Chatswood across three exciting weeks from 23 January to 16 February 2025.


Named in honour of the 2025 Chinese zodiac sign, the Year of the Snake Festival will feature a wide range of multicultural events, including large-scale snake sculptures, delicious food, cultural performances, market stalls, and more. The snake is the sixth animal in the Chinese zodiac, and 2025 represents the Wood Snake, symbolising wisdom, talent, charm, intelligence, intuition, and insight. The Year of the Snake is believed to herald improved luck and the arrival of success.


Willoughby City Council Mayor Tanya Taylor says the Chatswood Year of the Snake Festival is not only a vibrant celebration but offers an important boost for the local economy. In early 2024, during the Year of the Dragon Festival, total visitor spending in Chatswood reached $75.8 million across dining, entertainment, retail, and travel. Local resident spending for the same period was $21.1 million across these categories. With this year’s extended hours and some events running from 10 AM to 10 PM, the Year of the Snake Festival is set to further energise the night economy.


The festival’s Lunar New Year Celebration Day will be held on 1 February starting at the Interchange, moving down Victoria Avenue to Chatswood Place. The streets will come alive with lion dancers, musical performances, food stalls, and culminate in a spectacular early-evening Lantern Parade. A special fortune booth will be set up at The Concourse, next to the Snake installation, featuring large Kau Chim sticks for drawing your fortune with chances to win fantastic dining and experiences in Chatswood.


INTERVIEWS:
•    Linda Perrine, Community Culture & Leisure Director, Willoughby City Council
•    Harry Jun comedian from The Succulent Comedy Showcase

PHOTOS/FILMING:
•    Live Snakes with handler  
•    Lion/Dragon Dancers, fortune teller, traditional costumes, martial artists, musical performers, changing mask dancer and noodle dancer.


For the full program visit: www.visitchatswood.com.au/LNY/Home

ENDS


Contact details:

Jane Morey                            
Morey Media                            
e: jane@moreymedia.com.au
m: 0416 097 678  

Sam Edmonds
Willoughby City Council
e: sam.edmonds@willoughby.nsw.gov.au
m: 0459915293

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