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
Jan 15
2020 CHINESE NEW YEAR DECORATIONS
Chinese new year decorations with chinese lanterns and peach, cherry & plum blossoms.
Jan 23
GOD OF PROSPERITY, WISDOM AND LONGEVITY VISITATIONS
Chinatown Precinct Association, Myer, Emporium Melbourne and other Shopping Arcades in Chinatown off er 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 off er well wishes, wisdom and health for the New Year – fortune cookies will be handed out as they roam throughout the streets, buildings and shops, including blessing the Players and visitors at the Courts.
Jan 23
ROVING PERFORMERS
Local and International roving musicians, artists and performers will take to the streets of Chinatown. Traditional figures in Chinese mythology, Chinese traditional musicians and artists will enthral passers-by.
Jan 24
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 … to the drumbeats of the Chinese Drums. Test your prowess on the Chinese Chess and Checkers too. Lots of deep thoughts and then … wham! the slam of the winner will make you go scurrying off , like the Rat!
Jan 24
OUTDOOR CINEMA
An outdoor cinema springs to life at Chinatown Square, with movie like Ratatouille, with our friendly Rat scurrying in the year and our aff able Pig exiting with the “oink! oink!”
Jan 24
CHINESE NEW YEAR COUNTDOWN
Come gather in Melbourne Chinatown … along with the DJs who will warm up the crowd with New Year competitions and riddles for onlookers whilst the local and international artists and performers come out into the streets and stage. Cultural performances will keep you entertained as we count down to the New Year. The traditional Lion Dancers will ward away any evil spirits and as the Pig goes squealing out with its “oink! oink!”, the Rat will come scurrying in, giving everyone an ecstatic scream!
Jan 26
AUSTRALIAN CHINESE BBQ
Join in the celebration of Australia Day, Chinese-style! There will be a BBQ, with the meats and vegetables seasoned with Chinese and Asian herbs and spices, fl avoured with Chinese and Asian sauces! Free event – but be quick as there will be free food for the 1st 100 guests!
Feb 02
CHINESE LIONS
The streets are awash with a cacophony of rhythmic drumming as Chinese Lions bring in the New Year by blessing the businesses of Chinatown. Evil spirits are scared away with fi re crackers by the Lion dance performances. The Melbourne Millennium Dai Loong will bestow and user in prosperity on each shop front in the coming year. Performed by Chinese Masonic Society Lion Teams Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne Lion Teams Melbourne Dai Loong Association Lion Team
Feb 02
CHINESE NEW YEAR MELBOURNE MILLENNIUM DAI LOONG DRAGON PARADE
In a cacophony of rhythmic drumming, the Chinese Lions bless the businesses of Chinatown. Melbourne’s very own Dai Loong emerges from the Chinese Museum with onlookers in awe. Truly heralding the commencement of this Spring Festival.
Feb 02
CENTRE STAGE – CHINATOWN FESTIVAL OFFICIAL OPENING
The Official Opening of the Chinatown Chinese New Year Festival takes place on the Main Stage, followed by a cultural performance programme into the evening.
Feb 02
CHINESE MUSEUM OPEN DAY
Free entry when you visit the Chinese Museum on Sunday, 02 February 2020. See 5 floors of Chinese Australian history from early goldrush Australia to present day.
Feb 02
FO GUANG SHAN TEMPLE
In true traditional celebrations, we off er our respects to Buddha. Seek wisdom, good health and wealth … visit this pop-up temple and be blessed.
Feb 02
“ALL THINGS RAT”
As the song goes, join in the celebrations with “Ben” and our MC on the Main Stage and have fun in the Nibbling Cheese like a true Rat Nibbling Jerky Beef like a true Rat Rat Races Peeping Rat Photo Taking Join in the competitions and as the Commonwealth Bank Australia slogan goes, see who “CAN” ffinish the Cheeses and the Jerky Beef Eating Competitions.
Feb 08
Fundraising Dinner Lantern Festival (“Chap Goh Mei”)
We hope you will join us in this fundraising dinner to support the efforts of our fi re-fighting heroes and to off er our sympathy to the victims of the bushfire disaster. Proudly organised by Chinatown Precinct Association Inc, in conjunction with Mantra on Russell.
Supporting Sponsors
