Are you ready for the Year of the Rat?
Chinese New Year is upon us once again! This special occasion marks a new year in the lunar calendar and is the time when many families get together to wish for good luck and fortune. To help you celebrate prosperity to the fullest, we’ve written a guide on the best things to do, eat and drink this Chinese New Year. This time around, the new year falls on Saturday 25th February – so expect plenty of festivities to be had over the weekend!
Chinese New Year Melbourne Festival
Perhaps the headliner for this Lunar year is the city’s Chinese New Year festival, running for the entirety of the new year. Expect to see dazzling performances, traditional clothing, Chinese cuisine, light show performances and more for 16 days straight at some of Melbourne’s famous landmarks. Celebrations start at Queensbridge Square on 24 January, visit the website for more info.
Chinatown’s Big Dragon CNY Festival
Head to Chinatown on 2nd February for a full day’s worth of activities, starting off with their iconic Dai Loong (Big Dragon) parade. Chinatown’s Chinese New Year Festival reflects the tradition of Chinese cultural celebrations, with lion dance performances, prayers to Buddha and Master Pang’s street calligraphy. Best of all, it’s completely free!
A fortuitous feast at Spice Temple
Spice Temple is ringing in Chinese New Year with a fortuitous feast comprised of nine courses, each judiciously selected to signify good luck for the lunar year ahead. The lucky menu costs $99 per person, with matching drinks at an additional $55 per person. Dig into dishes like 繁荣 Prosperity Raw tuna ‘Yu Sheng’ with spicy orange oil and iceberg and 幸运 Fortune ‘The most delicious dish under heaven’ – Pippies with pork and Shaoxing wine. Read more about the feast here.
Festive Street Bazaar
This New Year street market happens every year at Chinatown square just before the Lunar new year begins. The bazaar allows Chinese families to pick up decorations, rice cakes, sweets and red pockets before celebrating. Walk through rows of vendors selling messages of good luck and prosperity and take in the buzzing market mood!
Hawker’s Bazaar at Crown Melbourne
Eat your way through the new year with Crown Melbourne’s Hawker Bazaar, featuring more than 30 market stalls showcasing Asian culinary delights. Enjoy musical acts from international and Australian superstars at the Grand Main Stage, lion dance performances, and a spectacular firework display to close celebrations on the evening of 24th January. Find out more on Crown Melbourne’s website.