Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is the most important celebration in the Chinese calendar, and this year marks the year of the Rabbit, symbolising longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture. Chinese New Year starts on 22 January 2023.
This year Melbourne will light up with colourful family-friendly Chinese New Year celebrations, including:
Chinatown on Little Bourke Street Melbourne celebrates the food, music, art and culture of Melbourne’s Chinese and Asian communities.
Chinatown is hosting an all-day festival program that includes:
• CYSM Year of the Rabbit Showcase Performance (Lion Dancing) – 10.30 am • Official Ceremony and Address (Main Stage) – 11.30 am • Chinese Masonic Society Official Lion Dance Welcome (Main Stage) – 12.15 pm • Millennium Dragon Parade (from the Main Stage) – 12.30 pm • Giant Chinese Lunar Rabbit – Intrude by Parer Studios (206 Bourke St) – all-day • Various Performances – 12.30 pm to 7 pm • DJ: 7 pm to 9 pm
Date: Sunday 22 January 2023 Time: 10.30 am – 9 pm Location: between Little Bourke and Russell Street Price: FREE
Celebrate Lunar New Year at Melbourne Museum on Saturday 21 January 2023. Families can enjoy lion and dragon dances, create a sea bunny, and find their zodiac animal. If you would like to stay late, there will be DJs and food trucks on the Museum Plaza for Summer of Play.
Program highlights include:
• Lion and Dragon Dances – Melbourne Museum Foyer 10 am – 10.30 am • Sea Bunnies for the Year of the Rabbit – Melbourne Museum Foyer 10 am – 2 pm
• Which Zodiac Animal Are You? – Melbourne Museum Foyer 10 am – 2 pm
• Plaza Nights: Lunar New Year’s Eve – Museum Plaza 5 pm – 11 pm
We try our best to provide accurate information on kid-friendly events around Victoria but do recommend parents check details directly to confirm dates, times, prices as some details may be subject to change.