Thousands of Sydney residents, visitors and workers will enjoy more than 2 weeks of family-friendly music, feasts and performances as celebrations welcoming the Lunar New Year kick off in Sydney.
The Sydney Lunar Festival will include a bigger Sydney Lunar Streets featuring its own carousel, a 43m walk-through lantern installation with more than 750 individual lights, lion dancing and colourful banner galleries brightening up the footpaths.
It continues to be one of the largest celebrations of the Lunar New Year outside Asia, and the City of Sydney has overseen the festival for 30 years.
“All of Sydney is embracing the festival, with increasing numbers of people from communities that don’t traditionally celebrate the Lunar New Year taking part and attending events,” Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO said.
“People born in the Year of the Horse are believed to be hard-working, independent and warm-hearted, traits that embody some of the key values of Sydney.
“The lasting impact of our hard work to revitalise Haymarket can be seen along the rejuvenated Dixon Street and is exemplified by the majestic Chinatown gates, whose restoration was completed in June 2025. These exciting improvements balance respect for the area's history with contemporary cultural expression will keep Dixon Street buzzing for generations to come."
Sydney Lunar Festival runs from 14 February to 1 March. The program highlights include:
Sydney Lunar Streets, 14 February, 5pm-10pm
Bigger than ever before, the first major event of the festival will see the laneways of Haymarket, from Chinatown to Thaitown, light up for an unforgettable street festival. Lion dancing, a roaming horse, traditional and contemporary performances along with a range of mouthwatering food will be on offer as people flock to the event. Visitors can even take a ride on a carousel, specially selected for the Year of the Horse celebration.
Fire Horse installation
Designed by Basalt Studio, the Fire Horse installation leads the Lunar New Year charge on Dixon Street. It appears forged from flame, projecting a spirited momentum. The Fire Horse only appears once every 60 years on the Chinese zodiac and symbolises passion, vitality and brightness.
Thaitown installation
Capturing the energy and joyful chaos of Thai tuk-tuk journeys: lively, colourful rides laden with goods, family and festive supplies that fuel the spirit of community celebration. The fruit basket overflows with abundance and red envelopes cascade from the back. The tuk-tuk was designed and constructed by Pink Cactus, with contributing artists James Jirat Patradoon and Amy Thai, in collaboration with Thai business and communities.
Lion dancing
Unforgettable performances come to the streets. Watch them at Sydney Town Hall steps on Tuesday 17 and 24 February from 1pm to 1:10pm and 1:30pm to 1:40pm.
Street performances in Haymarket and Thaitown
Free pop-up cultural entertainment on Hay Street from 6pm to 6.45pm on Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February, and Campbell Street on Friday 27, Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March.
Lunar Extravaganza, 21 February at 2pm and 5pm
Chinese, Korean, Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese groups celebrate the Year of the Horse with a series of cultural performances at Sydney Town Hall.
Dragon Boats Festival, 28 February and 1 March
Thousands of dragon boaters will grab their paddles for 2 days of thrilling competition on Cockle Bay. Enjoy food, performances and family-friendly events on the shore, presented by Dragon Boats NSW.
Banner galleries
Artists and their interpretation of 8 very different horses will be displayed across city centre streets.
Horses on a light rail
An awe-inspiring artwork, featuring an original design by Jason Wing riding 5 carriages of the light rail throughout the festival.
Horsing around, 28 February and 1 March
Giant Jenga, Connect 4 and Snakes and Ladders are some of the oversized games available to play during the final festival weekend on the aptly named Hay Street.
Throughout the festival, 756 colourful lanterns will light up Hay Street for people as they walk through Chinatown. Above the lanterns, the 12 animal lanterns of the zodiac are featured, designed by artist Erika Zhu.
Some of Sydney’s youngest artists will also have their work seen by everyone celebrating Lunar New Year. Selected from more than 800 entries, 24 horse drawings from budding artists aged from 6 to 12 will be on display in Haymarket.
Associated events including art exhibitions, food and drink offerings, talks, tours, performances and workshops hosted by several organisations and businesses will also take place throughout the festival.
Visit sydneylunarfestival.com for more information.
The City of Sydney’s festival charity partner is The Kids’ Cancer Project. The organisation funds vital scientific research to develop better treatments for all children with cancer, having committed over $76 million since 2005 to research projects
Images and overlay can be downloaded here.
For media enquiries contact Nicky Breen: 0436 599 861 or email [email protected]
For interviews with Clover Moore AO, Lord Mayor of Sydney contact [email protected].
For more stories from your local area, visit news.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
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