Looking for the full schedule of Lunar New Year dance performances in Sydney for 2026? You’ve come to the right place.
Lunar New Year (otherwise known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival) is upon us, with 2026 being the Year of the Horse, according to Chinese astrology. With it, Sydney springs to life with colourful, traditional lion dances and street festivals scattered all over the city from February 17.
The festivities of Lunar New Year typically last for 15 days, with most of the performances and celebrations around Sydney running up until March 3. From now until then, you can expect more than 50 vibrant lion dance performances as well as dragon boats, light installations, cultural performances, live entertainment and street parties.
The lion dance is one of the most recognisable aspects of Chinese New Year, performed to symbolise power and wisdom while also bringing good fortune and chasing away evil spirits. Typically held as one of the most important traditions each year, lion dances are said to bring good luck and prosperity.
There is an incredible amount of traditional Chinese lion dances scheduled all across Sydney. See our full calendar below to plan.
Best places to watch lion dances in Sydney for Lunar New Year
Here’s the schedule for Lunar New Year celebrations that feature lion dances in Sydney:
Saturday, February 7
- Canterbury Council Griffith Park: 4-9pm
Saturday, February 14
- Market City Shopping Centre: 2pm and 4pm
- Westfield Eastgardens: 11am-12pm
- Burwood Plaza: 12:30pm-3pm
Sunday, February 15
- Market City Shopping Centre: at 2pm
- The Lucky Prawn: 12:30pm-8:30pm
Tuesday, February 17
- Darling Harbour: 10:30am-11:30am
- Sydney Town Hall Steps: 1pm-1:10pm and 1:30pm-1:40pm
- Chinese Garden of Friendship: 10:30am-11am
Thursday, February 19
- Felons Barrel Room: 7:30pm
Friday, February 20
- Parramatta Square: 4pm-9pm
- Hay Street, corner of Harbour Street: 6pm-6:45pm
- Lane Cove Plaza and The Canopy: 3:30pm-7:30pm
Saturday, February 21
- Darling Harbour: 10:30am-11:30am
- Cockle Harbour (jet pack show): 4pm and 8:45pm
- The Malaya Restaurant: 8:30pm
- Chatswood The Concourse: 10am-9pm
- Spice Alley: 2pm-7pm
- Hurstville Plaza: 11am-9pm
- David Jones, Elizabeth Street: 2pm
Sunday, February 22
- Darling Harbour: 10:30am-11:30am
- The Malaya Restaurant: 8:30pm
- Felons Barrel Room: 1:45pm
Tuesday, February 24
- Sydney Town Hall Steps: 1pm-1:10pm and 1:30pm-1:40pm
Friday, February 27
- Campbell Street, near George Street: 6pm-6:45pm
- Cahill Park: 5pm-10pm
Saturday, February 28
- Castle Hill Main Street: 2pm-9pm
- Arthur Street, Cabramatta: 11am-9pm
Sunday, March 1
- Darling Harbour: 4pm-4:30pm
What to expect from a Chinese New Year lion dance performance
Chinese lion dances are performed by two dancers in a lion costume, designed in a similar way to a pantomime horse. One dance is the head and front limbs of the lion, while the other is the back and hind legs. If you look closely during the performance, you’ll see that the dancers’ legs are dressed in the same colour as the lion. The lion’s head is typically oversized and slightly resembles that of a dragon.
The lion dance is agile, exciting and dynamic, imitating a lion’s various movements with precision. It’s a feat requiring great skill and coordination, set to soulful beating drums, crashing cymbals and gongs that constantly vibrate through the air.
(Cover Image Credit: Destination NSW).
