In 2024, Lunar New Year festivities take on a dynamic flair as the Year of the Dragon dawns. Vibrant celebrations honor the mythical creature, symbolizing strength, fortune, and auspicious beginnings.
Across Melbourne, communities unite in joyous gatherings, adorned with dragon-themed decorations and traditional red lanterns. Parades dazzle with dragon dancers and firecrackers, creating a lively spectacle. Families indulge in sumptuous feasts featuring symbolic dishes, fostering unity and prosperity.
As the dragon’s majestic energy infuses the atmosphere, the Lunar New Year heralds a time of renewal, optimism, and the promise of a thriving year ahead.
This year, Lunar New Year falls on 10 February, but there are a range of events and festivities to join in across Melbourne throughout February.
1. Chinese Lunar New Year Dragon Festival, Chinatown (11 February)
Join in as Chinatown celebrates the auspicious Year of the Dragon on Sunday 11 February, symbolizing longevity and prosperity.
On this special day, immerse yourself in Melbourne’s Chinese and Asian cultures with food, music, art, and more. Enjoy captivating performances on the Main Stage, witness the majestic lion dance in Chinatown, and see the Dai Loong Dragon Parade. Explore market stalls on Russell Street, admire the Dragon Sculpture Art Installation on Lonsdale Street, and indulge in world-class dining, bars, and shopping. The festivities kick off with the CYSM Lion Dance Performance at 10:15 am.
2. Quang Mihn Tet Festival, Braybrook (9-10 February)
As a spiritual hub, Quang Minh Temple serves as a vital gathering place for community members to honor their ancestors, offering hope and inspiration to all who visit. The Quang Minh Tet Festival unites the local community, welcoming Vietnamese, Chinese Buddhists, and non-Buddhists alike to partake in the beauty and richness of Lunar and Buddhist traditions. The festival features diverse experiences, including performances, firecrackers, fireworks, chanting, and delectable vegetarian cuisine, fostering a shared celebration of cultural heritage and spirituality.
3. Whitehorse Lunar New Year Festival 2024, Box Hill (17 February)
Presented by the Asian Business Association of Whitehorse the free Lunar New Year Festival embodies the essence of the Lunar New Year. The event unites the lively Whitehorse community, offering a feast of cultural delights, from delectable food to enthralling performances, traditional arts, amusement rides, a petting zoo, and beyond. In 2024, celebrating the Year of the Dragon, the Whitehorse Lunar New Year Festival relocates to Bank Street and Box Hill Town Hall, promising a dynamic and festive experience for all attendees.
4. Wyndham Multicultural Lunar Festival 2024, Point Cook (18 February)
The Wyndham Multicultural Lunar Festival promises a family-friendly extravaganza, with a special focus on engaging activities for children and young people. With more than 85 diverse performances ranging from dance, singing, and theatre to martial arts, traditional costume displays, Korean K-pop, and magic shows, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
5. 2024 Glen Waverley Lunar New Year and Lantern Festival (18 February)
Join the festivities and celebrate the Year of the Dragon at the 2024 Glen Waverley Lunar New Year and Lantern Festival. Taking place along Kingsway, the event promises a vibrant blend of colour, music, cultural activities, delicious food, and exciting amusement rides.
6. Lunar New Year dragon and lion dancers, South Melbourne Market (10 February)
Join the Lunar New Year celebrations with dragon and lion dancers at the South Melbourne Market, marking the start of the Year of the Dragon. The lion represents strength and stability, while the dragon symbolizes power and boldness. These dances have a special purpose: to chase away bad spirits, welcome good times, and bring luck and blessings to the community. It’s a lively way to celebrate and embrace positive vibes for the year ahead.
7. The Victoria Street Lunar Festival, Richmond and Abbotsford (4 February)
Experience the lively return of the Victoria Street Lunar Festival in 2024, ringing in the Year of the Dragon. Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of Richmond’s Vietnamese hub, where local eateries showcase a tempting array of street food. Join the Lunar New Year celebration with music, food, firecrackers, and captivating lion dancing. Victoria Street, home to beloved Vietnamese grocers and restaurants in Yarra, transforms into a lively spectacle during the Lunar Festival, making it one of Victoria’s most popular Lunar New Year events.
8. Bendigo Chinese Association’s Lunar New Year Celebrations (10 February)
Join the Bendigo Chinese Association in celebrating the Lunar New Year in Bendigo in the Dai Gum San Precinct! They’ll welcome the Year of the Dragon with a special appearance from Sun Loong – a 100 metre retired dragon who will have a rare outing for this unique occasion. The night will showcase performances by local community groups and a wide array of food vendors.
9. Springvale’s annual Lunar New Year Festival (4 February)
Springvale’s annual Lunar New Year Festival returns in 2024, hosted by the Springvale Asian Business Association (SABA) in celebration of the Year of the Dragon. The event promises a vibrant spectacle with lion dances, continuous performances, firecrackers, rides for all ages, and a selection of 80 different cuisine stalls. The 60-meter-long dragon, operated by 40 members of the Hung Hing Cultural Association lion dance performance crew, will be a magnificent sight. The festival, symbolizing power, nobleness, honor, luck, and success, will transform Buckingham Avenue and surrounding streets into a lively space filled with amusement rides, food stalls, and live entertainment. Don’t miss the grand finale—a spectacular fireworks display marking the festival’s conclusion.
10. Lunar New Year at the Dandenong Market (18 February)
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at Dandenong Market on Sunday, February 18. This family-friendly event offers free and exciting activities, including Southeast Asian street food delights and mesmerizsing performances like the lion dance. Immerse yourself in a culinary journey reminiscent of Southeast Asian hawker markets, featuring the best food trucks from Melbourne and market traders with family recipes and traditional flavours from China, Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, and more. It’s a paradise for food lovers.
11. Lunar New Year Family Day at the Melbourne Museum (10 February)
Melbourne Museum is marking the Year of the Dragon with captivating dragon dances, interactive creative activities, and a discussion on the diverse dragons unique to Australia.
12. Lunar New Year at the Great Stupa, Bendigo (9-18 February)
The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion near Bendigo invites you to celebrate the Year of the Dragon with enthralling lion and dragon dances, tai chi demonstrations, calligraphy, face painting, cultural displays, and a delectable array of food and drinks. The Great Stupa is a large Buddhist monument and pilgrimage site and an architectural marvel, embodying traditional Buddhist symbolism and design. It serves as a place of worship, meditation, and learning about Buddhist teachings.
13. Lunar New Year at the Preston Market (18 February)
Join in the Preston Market’s Year of the Dragon celebrations on Sunday, February 18, 2024. Enjoy a lively entertainment lineup featuring a Cai Shen stilt walker, captivating Lion Dance and store blessings, energizing Wushu-Tai Chi, and the harmonious melodies of The Melbourne Chinese Choir.
14. Lunar New Year at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Chadstone (10-18 February)
Join the fire-breathing adventure at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre as they celebrate Lunar New Year from Saturday, February 10 to Sunday, February 18. Master Model Builders have crafted a LEGO-tastic adventure to welcome the Year of the Dragon. Explore MINILAND Melbourne for Lunar New Year dragons, discover the Year of the Dragon parade, and unleash your creativity in the Creative Workshop with dragon-themed LEGO ‘Make and Take’ sets.
15. Lunar New Year at Burwood Brickworks (10-24 February)
Celebrate Lunar New Year at Burwood Brickworks from February 10th to 24th. Dive into the Year of the Dragon with captivating performances, engaging activities, and a vibrant atmosphere for the whole family. Enjoy cultural activities like The Claw to Good Fortune, The Wishing Tree, daily lunar crafts for kids, and free Sunday yoga classes on the rooftop by the Little Mandarin Yoga Studio.
16. Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at the National Gallery of Victoria (10-11 February)
The NGV is celebrating the Year of the Dragon over the entire weekend of 10-11 February. Experience a weekend filled with art, food, creative activities, and performances in music and dance suitable for all ages.
17. Lunar New Year at M-City, Clayton (11 February)
M-City is hosting festivities to celebrate Lunar New Year at the centre. The celebration kicks off at 11 am with a lively dragon dance, bringing good luck and blessings to the community. Throughout the day, take part in free activities, including a Kids Lunar New Year art workshop, delightful food sampling, exciting giveaways, and more. The festivities culminate with a spectacular Lion Dance performance at 3 pm.
18. Lunar New Year at Sovereign Hill, Ballarat (17-18 February)
Embrace the festivities of the Year of the Dragon during a weekend filled with music, food, crafts, and cultural activities at Sovereign Hill. Immerse yourself in vibrant dragon and lion parades, enjoy live performances, and savour delectable treats like dumplings and noodles.
19. Lunar New Year celebration at the Immigration Museum (10 February)
Gather the family and celebrate Lunar New Year at the Immigration Museum! Revel in complimentary performances of traditional Chinese music and dance, engage in crafting games inspired by Korea and Vietnam, and discover the ancient art of paper cutting. Join us for a day of cultural exploration and festive fun!
20. Lunar New Year at Prahran Square (10 February)
Celebrate the auspicious Year of the Wood Dragon as Prahran Square presents a joyous event featuring a variety of traditional Chinese-themed activities and entertainment. Be captivated by the mesmerising lion dance and dragon dance, bask in the luck brought by the God of Fortune Mascot, and immerse yourself in live performances that embody the festive spirit.
21. Lunar New Year Dragon Boat Festival, Docklands (25 February)
Head to Docklands on 25 February for the Lunar New Year Dragon Boat Festival presented by Dragon Boat Victoria, City of Melbourne, and CNY United. Experience the awakening of dragons with a unique eye-dotting ceremony, followed by the blessing of boats for safe racing. Watch synchronized dragon boat teams race along Victoria Harbour to the beat of drums, creating lasting team bonds. Enjoy cultural performances, lion dances, family activities, and diverse food trucks amidst the excitement.
22. Celebrate Lunar New Year at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium (10-18 February)
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is ushering in the Year of the Dragon with the assistance of some resident dragons! SEA LIFE Melbourne’s Seahorse Pier, home to hundreds of sea dragons, will undergo a vibrant transformation into a Lunar New Year hub. Families can immerse themselves in an enchanting underwater adventure, complete with captivating keeper talks and activities for everyone to enjoy.
23. Lunar New Year at Crown Melbourne (9-24 February)
Turn every moment of your Lunar New Year into something special at Crown as it enters the Year of the Dragon with vibrant celebrations and unforgettable displays. There’s also quisite banquets and bountiful buffets as well as delightful high teas to be shared with your loved ones.
24. Glen Eira Lunar New Year celebrations, Caulfield (10 February)
Experience live entertainment, celebrations, and refreshments at Glen Eira Town Hall from 2:45 pm to 4:15 pm. Enjoy a mix of traditional and contemporary live entertainment, featuring musical performances on the Pipa and Guzheng by local musicians. The Bentleigh Chinese Community Association and the Bentleigh Chinese Senior Support Group will showcase cultural performances in dance and song.
25. Lunar New Year edition ice skating, Docklands (5 February)
Get ready to lace up and hit the ice! Join in a festive ice skating event at the Icehouse in Docklands where the rink comes alive with the spirit of the Dragon. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or a first-timer, you can enjoy the thrill of gliding on the ice in a wholesome and festive atmosphere. Slide under twinkling lanterns and revel in the joy of skating.
