Celebrating Lunar New Year in Sydney

Lunar New Year celebrations in Sydney just keep growing every year, and they’re now recognised as some of the largest outside Asia. Aussies are always up for a celebration, and with so many of our residents having Chinese, Mongolian, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese heritage, it’s no wonder Sydney offers such a rich variety of ways to bring in the New Year!

Lunar New Year falls on Tuesday 17 February 2026, marking the start of the Year of the Horse. City-wide festival dates and detailed programs will be confirmed as councils and venues publish their schedules. I’ll update this guide as official information is released.

Keep reading to discover the best ways to celebrate the Year of the Horse across Sydney in 2026, including street parties, lanterns, lion dances, dragon boats, and special dining.

Welcome to the Year of the Horse, 2026!
If you were born in 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, or 1954, this is your year.

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The Year of the Horse 2026

The Horse is the seventh animal in the Chinese zodiac and represents energy, freedom, and perseverance. Those born in Horse years are known for their optimism, drive, and love of open spaces and new ideas.

Sydney will be buzzing with events celebrating the Year of the Horse. Expect festivities from Chinatown to Chatswood, Hurstville to Campsie, with traditional lion dances, street markets, cultural performances, and great food. Many events are free and open to everyone.

Lunar Lanterns

Look out for zodiac lanterns and installations in Haymarket and along George Street during the Sydney Lunar Festival. The Horse will be a highlight for 2026. Locations and sizes can change year to year; I’ll confirm once the City of Sydney publishes the map.

Lunar Gateways

Experience a stunning tribute to Asian architecture with four beautifully crafted gateways celebrating Chinese, Korean, Thai and Vietnamese cultural heritage.

Each gateway has been meticulously hand-painted, incorporating distinctive architectural elements from these rich traditions. After dark the gateways will light up creating perfect photo opportunities.

Darling Harbour Lunar New Year Festival

Darling Harbour hosts big crowds each year with dragon boat racing, lion dances, and pop-up performances.

In 2026, the Dragon Boat Festival is currently scheduled for Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March (to be confirmed). I’ll add links and times when the organisers publish the final program.

• Lion Dances – across Darling Harbour
• Dragon Boat Races – Cockle Bay –

A Sea of Lanterns

As the sun sets each evening, Darling Square transforms into a magical wonderland. Hundreds of traditional lanterns light up the precinct from 5pm, creating an enchanting atmosphere that’s become a must-see annual tradition.

Bring your camera – these photo opportunities are too good to miss!

Feast Your Way Through the Festival

With over 50 restaurants in the precinct, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to celebrating with food (and let’s face it, that’s one of the best parts of Lunar New Year!). From quick bites to festive banquets, there’s something to satisfy every craving.

Chinese Garden of Friendship

The Chinese Garden of Friendship will run a special Lunar New Year program with tea ceremonies, meditation, brush painting, and live music. Details, including opening ceremonies and late-night sessions, will be confirmed by the Garden.

There will be Lion Dancing of course along with Tea Ceremony demonstrations, and traditional Chinese music.

World Square typically runs two weekends of festivities with lantern markets, calligraphy, and lion and dragon dances. Dates and the 2026 theme are to be confirmed. I’ll add the schedule once announced.

Lunar New Year events in the Suburbs

Lunar New Year celebrations will be held across suburban Sydney with big celebrations planned in Chatswood, Campsie, Bankstown, Rhodes and Hurstville

Chatswood Year of the Horse Festival

Chatswood is pulling out all the stops for Lunar New Year with a month-long festival (January 23 to February 16) that transforms the Chatswood CBD into a celebration hub.

When: TBC
Where: Chatswood Concourse

Bankstown Lunar New Year Celebrations

Get ready for an action-packed celebration in Bankstown with plenty of great food, cultural performances and live entertainment.

Campsie Lantern Festival

Head to Campsie for a magical evening as the Lantern Festival wraps up the Lunar New Year celebrations in style. The night sky will light up with stunning displays while the streets come alive with food stalls, cultural performances and plenty of festivities.

This fantastic community event brings together traditional performances, good food, and lots of fun multicultural activities that show off the best of the area’s Asian culture.ome to the New Year action in Campsie, with a night noodle market being held on Friday and decorations on display throughout the festival period. Street performers will roam the mall providing entertainment. Korean, Chinese and Thai food will be available.

When: Saturday, February 8 2025, 5pm – 9:30pm
Where: Anzac Street Mall, Campsie
Cost: Free

Hurstville Lunar New Year Festival

Hurstville, the cultural heart of Sydney’s south comes alive with its annual Lunar New Year Festival. This beloved community celebration has grown to become one of largest New Year event in Sydney’s suburbs drawing visitors from across the city.

Walking Tours and Cultural Experiences

Chinatown Street Food and Stories with Local Sauce Tours

Join Local Sauce, one of our favourite tour operators on their new tour of Chinatown. We went along last month and loved it! The tour uncovers Sydney’s long connection with China and the contributions Chinese-Australians have made to the community.

Along with a really entertaining history lesson, you will discover things hidden away in Chinatown that you have probably never noticed. You also get to taste at least 5 snacks from Cantonese, Nanjing, Xinjiang, and Xi’an cuisines.

At the end of the tour, you will receive a list of more than a dozen places to check out the next time you’re in Chinatown.

When: Weekly departures; check current schedule 
Cost:  Book directly with the operator here

Do you know which animal represents your year?

Rat (1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020)
Ox (1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021)
Tiger (1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022)
Rabbit (1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023)
Dragon (1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024)
Snake (1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025)
Horse (1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026)
Goat (1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027)
Monkey (1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028)
Rooster (1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029)
Dog (1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030)
Pig (1959, 1971, 1988, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031)