Willoughby City Council’s 2025 Chatswood Lunar New Year Festival has once again proven to be a major driver of both cultural celebration and economic growth for the community, with the Year of the Snake festivities injecting nearly $80 million into the local economy throughout the month-long event.
The festival delivered an engaging and diverse program, including a “Snake Trail”—a journey through the Chatswood CBD, marked by artistic snake sculptures, an all-day street festival, food trails spotlighting culinary delights an art exhibition and an array of local events held at Council venues.
A highlight of the festival was Celebration Day, featuring an illuminated lantern parade and bustling market stalls on Victoria Avenue. Throughout the festival, the Golden Market was open three days per week, further adding to Chatswood’s festive atmosphere while promoting the local dining scene.
Festival-goers were also delighted by lion dancers blessing businesses across Westfield and the Fortune Booth activation, where participants enjoyed life-sized lucky draws to win dining vouchers redeemable at local food establishments.
Economic figures show that $15 million was spent on food and dining alone, highlighting the festival’s undeniable impact on Chatswood’s thriving culinary scene. Celebration Day, held on February 1, attracted 60,000 visitors to the CBD who spent nearly $4 million in total, with approximately $1 million spent on food and dining.
Mayor Tanya Taylor expressed her enthusiasm for the festival's ability to enhance Willoughby’s economy and celebrate the City’s cultural diversity.
“The Chatswood Year of the Snake Festival has been yet another huge success for Chatswood and surrounds, both culturally and economically. Not only did the festival bring our community together to celebrate cultural prosperity and good health for the year ahead, but it also showcases Willoughby’s vibrant local businesses and the dedicated people behind them.”
Discover more about Chatswood at: https://www.visitchatswood.com.au/eat-and-drink
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