About the Festival
The Chinatown Community and supporting Chinese Community organisations have undertaken Chinese New Year celebrations in Melbourne’s Chinatown for over 160 years.
Major Sponsors
15 Jan
CHINESE NEW YEAR DECORATIONS
Lanterns and Peach, Cherry, Plum Blossoms Blooms Enjoy the sight of the new lanterns and also the blossom blooms – just like you would see in China (winter in the northern hemisphere). Take pleasure in the wonderful sight and ambience of Chinese New Year as it is created right here …
01 Feb - 27 Feb
CHINESE NEW YEAR DECORATION COMPETITION
Traders in Chinatown will be encouraged to decorate their windows and trading premises with Chinese New Year memorabilia. Visitors and customers will be also be encouraged to log onto the website to vote the Best Decorated Outlet. It would be a challenge for the Traders to dress up their premises …
04 Feb
CHINESE NEW YEAR SPECIAL LIGHTING
Come into Melbourne City – be “wow-ed” by this spectacular display of lighting and brightness. Specially built truss decorated with fairy lighting, including cherry blossoms lighting, cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, and peach blossoms blooms – these will certainly bring the great festive spirits to all who visit Chinatown. As the …
11 Feb - 14 Feb
GODS OF PROSPERITY, WISDOM AND LONGEVITY VISITATIONS
Chinatown Precinct Association, Myers, Emporium Melbourne and other Shopping Arcades in Chinatown offer shoppers, visitors and tourists with an exclusive opportunity to be greeted by the “Gods of Prosperity, Wisdom and Longevity” in their various trading outlets. The “Gods” will offer well wishes, wisdom and health for the New Year …
11 Feb - 14 Feb
CHINESE LIONS – Chinese Masonic Society & Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne
(Continues to Big Sunday, 14 February 2021) The streets are awash with the rhythmic drumming as Chinese Lions bring in the blessing to the businesses and to everyone, warding away any malicious elements that might be lurking around and scaring them away with fire crackers.
11 Feb - 14 Feb
FO GUANG SHAN TEMPLE
In true traditional celebrations, we offer our respects to Buddha. Seek wisdom, good health and wealth … visit this pop-up temple and be blessed. May we all be blessed with better health, especially with what we have experienced in this pandemic past year.
11 Feb
TRADITIONAL CULTURAL CRAFT ARTISAN, including CALLIGRAPHY
Artisans will be hired to demonstrate the traditional art of making Chinse Knot Lanterns, Chinese Buttons for tops, Paper folding and making of cultural animal shapes, flowers, etc. from the Chinese red packets. Visitors can participate in the craft workshops (Covid Safe Plan in place). Learn the art of Chinese …
11 Feb
CULTURAL PERFORMANCES, MAGIC SHOWS, SINGING
Hosted by the famed Bobo from the Radio 3CW and Jason Fang from ABC and of course, our International Cultural Programme Consultant, Dennis Woo from San Francisco, the evening will be filled with popular cultural shows, singing, chatter and magical shows, do sit back and be entertained by this fantastic …
11 Feb
A NIGHT ON THE TILES: MAHJONG & CHINESE CHESS UNDER THE TWILIGHT STARS
Learn to play Mahjong for beginners with players able to play all night … whilst being entertained by the drumbeats of the Lion Teams. Test your prowess on the Chinese Chess and Checkers too. Lots of deep thoughts and then … before you know it, it is time to finish …
11 Feb
OUTDOOR CINEMA
An outdoor cinema springs to life at Chinatown Square, join us for a screening of Ferdinand (2017).
11 Feb
COUNTDOWN
Come gather in Melbourne Chinatown where all the actions are … along with the DJs who, true to the traditional Chinese New Year festivities, will warm up the crowd with New Year competitions and riddles for onlookers whilst the artists and performers come out into the streets and also on …
12 Feb
TEA CULTURE – Chinese Museum
Five floors of Chinese Australian History dating back 200 years. Exhibitions about the Han Dynasty, Tea Heaven (about the culture of tea) and the home of Dai Loong. Tea Culture – the refined art of preparing and drinking Chinese tea will also be explained, with a display of teawares – …
12 Feb
PR ASIA’s AIR BADMINTON
The Chinese New Year is a time to share with family Members, loved ones and friends. It is also a time to relax and enjoy some games and sports together. Join PR Asia in promoting and bring some fun to you, the ooh and ahhs as Melburnians experience the new …
12 Feb
TRADITIONAL CULTURAL CRAFT ARTISAN, including CALLIGRAPHY
Artisans will be hired to demonstrate the traditional art of making Chinse Knot Lanterns, Chinese Buttons for tops, Paper folding and making of cultural animal shapes, flowers, etc. from the Chinese red packets. Visitors can participate in the craft workshops (Covid Safe Plan in place). Learn the art of Chinese …
13 Feb
TEA CULTURE – Chinese Museum
Five floors of Chinese Australian History dating back 200 years. Exhibitions about the Han Dynasty, Tea Heaven (about the culture of tea) and the home of Dai Loong. Tea Culture – the refined art of preparing and drinking Chinese tea will also be explained, with a display of teawares – …
13 Feb
“Get Together Gathering”
Traditionally, the 2nd day of the Chinese New Year is the Return to Family Home Day for the married ones – the ladies with their husbands and families pay their respects to their parents and return to their maternal home with their families. Family members gather together to celebrate the …
13 Feb
PR ASIA’s AIR BADMINTON
The Chinese New Year is a time to share with family Members, loved ones and friends. It is also a time to relax and enjoy some games and sports together. Join PR Asia in promoting and bring some fun to you, the ooh and ahhs as Melburnians experience the new …
13 Feb
TRADITIONAL CULTURAL CRAFT ARTISAN, including CALLIGRAPHY
Artisans will be hired to demonstrate the traditional art of making Chinse Knot Lanterns, Chinese Buttons for tops, Paper folding and making of cultural animal shapes, flowers, etc. from the Chinese red packets. Visitors can participate in the craft workshops (Covid Safe Plan in place). Learn the art of Chinese …
14 Feb
2021 MELBOURNE CHINESE NEW YEAR OFFICIAL OPENING
The 2021 Melbourne Chinese New Year will be officially Opened by the Rt. Hon. Lord Mayor and the Premier of Victoria, highlighting the activities that will be carried out in Melbourne Chinatown. Like the Ox and Cow enjoying the turf and other vegetables, let’s toss the “MCM Yee Sang”, a …
14 Feb
MAIN STAGE – “LOVE IS IN THE AIR”
On this special Chinese New Year day, we will also celebrate the Valentine’s Day where “Love Is In The Air”. Let’s look forward to a year of peace, and serenity … let’s relax and laze in the fields like the Ox and Cows … spread the caring and let’s enjoy …
14 Feb
TEA CULTURE – CHINESE MUSEUM
Free entry when you visit the Chinese Museum on Sunday, 14 February 2021. Five floors of Chinese Australian History dating back 200 years. Exhibitions about the Han Dynasty, Tea Heaven (about the culture of tea) and the home of Dai Loong. Emperor Shennong, whose name means the Divine Farmer, is …
14 Feb
ALL THINGS “MOO”
As the song goes, join in the celebrations with our MCs as they sing along the nursery rhythm of “Ee-Ya Ee-Ya O”, and have fun in the Milk Drinking Competition; Wheat Grass Drinking Competition; Chilli Beef Jerky Eating Competition (Chilli Beef Jerky to “spice” things up!); Beef in Black Bean …
14 Feb
“THE COWHERD WANTS A PARTNER” – VALENTINE’S DAY, CHINESE SYTLE
Enjoy Outdoor Dining on this Special Amore Day, Chinese Style. What a wonderful multicultural way of celebrating this Big Sunday, right here in Chinatown, with Chinese, German, Italian, French and of course, Aussie cuisine. Enjoy a romantic dinner whilst our Cowherd Waitpersons , bells on even!, serve you a scrumptious …
