Lunar New Year celebrations are underway, with lots of free public events across Sydney. (AAP: Steven Saphore)
Lunar New Year 2025 is officially upon us and Sydneysiders are gearing up for a range of events across the city.
It's a time for joy, reflection and renewal, with a variety of Asian cultures celebrating the festival and the meaning and customs behind it.
The Lunar New Year is based on a calendar that uses both the lunar and solar cycles to determine its dates.
Celebrations around the Lunar calendar are not only held by the Chinese community and its diaspora.
It's celebrated in many Asian countries, including in Vietnam, the Koreas, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan and Malaysia.
While the rituals and length of celebrations may vary from culture to culture, one thread runs through all: the Year of the Snake symbolises healing, rebirth and a fresh start.
Lunar New Year 2025 events in Sydney
Events on offer include dragon boat races, street festivals, lion dances, lantern parades and more.
Darling Harbour:
Traditional tea ceremony and tasting
Where: Chinese Garden of Friendship, Sydney CBD
When: February 1 and 8
Cost: Entry to the garden is $12 for adults and $8 for children
More information can be found here.
The Chinese Garden of Friendship in Darling Harbour has a series of Lunar New Year events. (AAP: Bianca De Marchi)
Lunar New Year fireworks
Where: Cockle Bay Wharf
When: February 1 and 8
Cost: Free
More information can be found here.
Snake story performance
Where: Chinese Garden of Friendship, Sydney CBD
When: February 2 and 9
Cost: Entry to the garden is $12 for adults and $8 for children
More information can be found here.
Dragon boat races
Where: Cockle Bay Wharf
When: February 7, 8 and 9
Cost: Free
More information can be found here.
Spectators are set to watch the 12m long dragon boats battle it out on Cockle Bay Wharf. (Supplied: City of Sydney)
Haymarket
Haymarket street festival
Where: Dixon Street, Sydney
When: February 1
Cost: Free
More information can be found here.
Lion dances
Where: Hay Street, Haymarket
When: February 2
Cost: Free
More information can be found here.
The Lunar New Year is based on a calendar that uses both the lunar and solar cycles to determine its dates. (ABC News:Â Daniel Irvine)
Lunar gateways, a tribute to Chinese, Korean, Thai and Vietnamese architecture
Where: Hay Street, Haymarket
When: Ever day until February 16
Cost: Free
More information can be found here.
Korean dancefloor
Where: Darling Quarter
When: Ever day until February 16
Cost: Free
More information can be found here.
Burwood
Lunar New Year street party
Where: Burwood Road, Burwood
When: January 31
Cost: Free
More information can be found here.
Burwood Chinatown will have a series of events and activities for locals to enjoy. (AAP: Dean Lewis)
Burwood Chinatown celebrations
Where: Burwood Chinatown
When: February 1
Cost: Free
More information can be found here.
Chatswood
Lunar New Year celebration day
Where: Victoria Avenue, Chatswood
When: February 1
Cost: Free
More information can be found here.
Lantern parade
Where: Victoria Avenue, Chatswood
When: February 1
Cost: Free
More information can be found here.
Chatswood in Sydney's north has a jam-packed schedule, with the streets filled with the Year of the Snake iconography. (Supplied: Willoughby City Council)
Japanese storytime for kids
Where: Willoughby City Library
When: February 3
Cost: Free
More information can be found here.
Cabramatta
Cabramatta Lunar New Year festival
Where: Cabramatta Town Centre
When: February 15
Cost: Free
More information can be found here.
Cabramatta has the largest Vietnamese population in Australia. (Supplied: Fairfield City Council)
Eastwood
Lunar New Year festival
Where: Eastwood Oval, Eastwood
When: February 8
Cost: Free
More information can be found here.
Paper quilling workshop
Where: Eastwood Library
When: February 6
Cost: Free
More information can be found here.
Celebrations around the Lunar calendar are held by many communities across Asian countries. (Supplied: City of Ryde Council)
Prairiewood
Tet Vietnamese festival
Where: Fairfield Showground, Prairiewood
When: February 7, 8 and 9
Cost: Entry to the event is $8 for adults and $5 for children over five
More information can be found here.
Parramatta
Lunar New Year event
Where: Centenary Square, Parramatta
When: February 1
Cost: Free
More information can be found here.
