Celebrate Chinese New Year 2025 in Melbourne: Best Family Events

The Chinese New Year 2025 marks the arrival of the Wood Snake, a rare and meaningful zodiac pairing that occurs once every 60 years. Representing wisdom, transformation, growth, stability, and creativity, the Wood Snake brings a unique energy to this year’s celebrations. Also known as Lunar New Year, Chinese New Year is the most significant event in the Chinese calendar, celebrated with vibrant traditions and cultural festivities.

In 2025, Melbourne will host a variety of family-friendly Chinese New Year events, offering colourful parades, performances, and interactive activities for all ages.

RELATED: Australian Open 2025: Kids Activities and Family Fun

Melbourne Chinese Lunar New Year Festival 2025

Celebrate in the heart of Chinatown with the Millennium Dragon Parade, vibrant lion dances, and a mix of live traditional and modern performances.

Enjoy delicious Asian street food, relax at the beer garden, and keep kids entertained with activities in the Kid’s Area at Golden Square Open Air Car Park.

Spanning Lonsdale and Bourke Streets, and Little Bourke Street from Swanston to Exhibition Streets, this festival offers culture, food, and family fun.

Date: 2 Feb 2025
Time: 10 am – 8 pm
Location: Chinatown, Russell Street, Melbourne
Price: FREE

More information

Celebrate Lunar New Year at Melbourne Museum

Welcome 2025 with a vibrant Lunar New Year celebration at Melbourne Museum, featuring traditional performances, engaging activities, and enriching experiences for all ages. From dragon dances to scavenger hunts and cultural storytelling, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Highlights

Dragon Dance
Saturday 1 February 2025
10 am, Main Foyer
Experience the energy of traditional Dragon and Lion dances with colourful costumes, dynamic choreography, and rhythmic drumbeats.

Zodiac Quest Competition
28 January – 2 February 2025
Daily, Museum Galleries
Take part in a scavenger hunt through the galleries for a chance to win a family trip to Europe, courtesy of Air China.

Lunar Storytime
Saturday 1 February 2025
12 pm, Main Foyer
Join Melbourne-based writer Rebecca Lim as she shares her book Our Family Dragon.

Guzheng and Fan Dance Performance
Saturday 1 February 2025
10.45 am & 11.15 am, Main Foyer
Enjoy the beautiful sounds of the guzheng and the elegance of a fan dance performed by QiQi and Madison Lu.

Date: Saturday 1 February 2025
Time: 10 am – 2 pm
Location: Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton

More information

RELATED: The Best Family-Friendly Outdoor Cinemas in Melbourne

Celebrate Lunar New Year at Crown Melbourne

Join the festivities as Crown Melbourne comes alive to welcome the Lunar New Year! Stay tuned for more details about performances, cultural displays, and family-friendly activities.

Prahran Square Lunar New Year Celebrations

Celebrate Lunar New Year at Prahran Square with an exciting lineup of traditional Chinese-themed activities and entertainment. More information to come.

RELATED: A guide to the Top Wave Pools in Melbourne

Lunar New Year activities at NGV

Ring in the Lunar New Year with two days of food, music, and fun at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). Explore the Yayoi Kusama exhibition, diving into her vibrant world of polka dots and pumpkins.

Enjoy art-making activities, play a relaxing game of Mahjong in the garden, and join guided tours of the NGV Collection. Don’t miss the chance to hear Melbourne food icons discuss culinary traditions. More information to come.

Date: 1 – 2 Feb 2025
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Location: NGV International
Price: FREE

Celebrate Lunar New Year at Queen Victoria Market

Celebrate the Year of the Wood Snake at Queen Victoria Market with cultural festivities, mouthwatering cuisine, and family fun. Full event details to be announced soon.

Looking for fun things to do with the kids?

Explore our kid-friendly directory