With Chinese New Year in Sydney starting from Wednesday, January 29, locals and visitors are set for over two weeks of street parties, art and light installations, lion dances. But there’s also Chinese comedy, orchestral performances, live snake displays and the largest Dragon Boat Festival in the Southern Hemisphere.
Lunar New Year is a busy time in Sydney, sweeping the streets from Haymarket to Cabramatta with the auspicious sounds, sights and tastes of this time-honoured tradition. If you’re looking to get involved and see all the many different things planned for Lunar New Year in Sydney then check out the best CNY events below.
Lunar New Year events in Sydney

1. Sydney Lunar Streets
Sydney Lunar Streets is Chinatown’s official opener for the next few weeks of Lunar New Year events. The five-hour street parade begins in the evening, transforming different pockets around Haymarket into vibrant hubs of live entertainment, roving performers, market stalls, food trucks, DJs and lion dances.
Where: Haymarket, NSW 2000
When: Saturday, February 1; 5pm – 10pm
Price: Free

2. Lunar Spectacular
The grand Centennial Hall at Sydney Town Hall will host the official Lunar Spectacular on Saturday, February 8. Performance groups from Chinese, Korean, Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese communities will all be getting involved across two sessions on the day, filling the historic space with dance, music and song to welcome the Year of the Snake.
This is one City of Sydney’s most popular Lunar New Year events each year, and it’s completely free to attend. No bookings are required to attend either the 2pm or 5pm Lunar Spectacular shows. Although seating will be general admission and doors open 45 minutes before each start time.
Where: Sydney Town Hall; 483 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
When: Saturday, February 8; 2pm or 5pm shows
Price: Free

3. Chinatown Comedy Club Lunar New Year Special
Soul of Chinatown will host their annual Lunar New Year event once again at Chinatown Comedy Club. The hidden gem will feature a line-up of Asian comedians, lucky door prizes and giveaways to help celebrate the Year of the Snake with good humour. Plus, ticket holders get a free baiju mixer upon entry.
For the unversed, the Chinatown Comedy Club is one of Haymarket’s many hidden secrets and can be found inside the long-established Covent Garden Hotel.
Where: 102-108 Hay St, Haymarket NSW 2000
When: Wednesday, February 12; 7:45pm
Price: $18

4. Lunar New Year Street Party in Burwood
Head to Burwood Road on the night of January 31 to find one of Lunar New Year’s major street festivals. LED lion dance performances, traditional Korean drumming, live music, martial arts demonstrations, food and market stalls, and kids entertainment have all been squeezed into the program, set to kick off at 5pm and wrap up at 10pm.
The night will end with fireworks at 9pm, followed by a dance party featuring local DJs, Filipino hip hop acts and more.
Where: Burwood Road (between Railway Parade and Belmore Street), Burwood NSW 2134
When: Friday, January 31; 5pm – 10pm
Price: Free

5. Lunar New Year at Darling Square
Darling Square is one of the major hubs of Lunar New Year 2025, with so many different events planned over the next few weeks. You get up close and personal with a live snake display in front of the exchange building, catch an on-water jetpack show, get your own free personalised fan at the pop-up Calligraphy Bar, and immersive yourself in a maze of illuminated lanterns.
The best time to head along would be any of the upcoming Saturdays before February 16, when roving entertainment and live music will help bring Darling Square to life as the row of diverse restaurants, including XOPP, take care of the requisite feasting.
Don’t miss the Dragon Boat Races scheduled in over at Cockle Bay Wharf on February 7-9. It’s being touted as the largest Dragon Boat Festival in the Southern Hemisphere, with more than 3,000 paddlers shredding water in long-tail boats that have been dressed up as dragons.
Where: Darling Square, NSW 2000
When: Until February 16
Price: Free

6. Chapel Nights
Head along to the historic St Magdelen’s Chapel in Wolli Creek as the venue stages its popular Chapel Nights series for the Year of the Snake. Numerous performances will be taking place over the next few weeks, including one from local musician Shurui Liang who will be leading a classical Chinese arrangement on Friday January 31.
Where: St Magdelen’s Chapel; 8 Brodie Spark Dr, Wolli Creek NSW 2205
When: Friday 31 January; 6:30pm
Price: Free

7. The Year of the Snake at Market City
Haymarket’s endearing Market City will be hosting its own series of Lunar New Year events between now and February 16, with various activations, performances, store blessings, lion dances, and kids workshops planned for the next few weeks. There’s also 5,000 red envelopes to giveaway on certain dates.
If you want to see a spectacle, head along on Saturday, February 1 or Sunday, February 2 at 2pm to catch a performance from the Jin Wu Koon troupes with high pole and dragon dances. Market City advises arriving at least 30 minutes before showtime to secure a spot.
Where: 9/13 Hay St, Haymarket NSW 2000
When: Until February 16
Price: Free

8. Lunar New Year in Cabramatta
One of the last Lunar New Year street festivals for this year will be located out in Cabramatta. Set for Saturday, February 15, the famous Vietnamese enclave will be welcoming the Year of the Snake with a full day of family-friendly fun. A tradition for over 25 years, the street festival will once again push for good fortune, happiness and good health with a schedule packed full of lion dances, food trucks, arts and crafts, workshops, amusement rides, competitions, fireworks and even a snake treasure hunt for the kids.
Where: Cabramatta, NSW 2166
When: Saturday, February 15; 11am – 9pm
Price: Free

9. Lunar New Year Banquets
Feasting and reunion dinners are a big part of Lunar New Year celebrations, with some of Sydney’s best Chinese restaurants putting their best chicken feet forward for the occasion. From Double Bay to Hurstville, there are plenty of opportunities to pack a lazy susan with plates of dim dum, longevity noodles, whole seafood and cured meats.
To plan ahead, check out our round-up on the best Lunar New Year dinners in Sydney.
Read more of our Lunar New Year in Sydney content
- Sydney will be hosting the biggest Dragon Boat Festival in the Southern Hemisphere
- We have the full schedule of all lion dance performances in Sydney for Lunar New Year
- These are the best Lunar New Year dinners in Sydney