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Chinese New Year Events in Melbourne
2024 will welcome the Year of the Dragon, symbolising power, ambition, passion, and creativity. Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is the pinnacle celebration in the Chinese calendar. Melbourne will come alive with multiple family-friendly Chinese New Year events, adding colour and joy to the festivities.
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Chinese Lunar New Year Dragon Festival
Gather your family and friends for a single-day festivity celebrating the Year of the Dragon at the Chinese Lunar New Year Festival, showcasing Melbourne’s vibrant Chinese and Asian communities through food, music, art, and culture. There will be performances on the Main Stage, lion dance troupes in Chinatown, and explore market stalls. Don’t miss the CYSM Lion Dance Performance at 10.15 am, the Opening Ceremony on Russell Street’s Main Stage at 11.15 am, and the spectacular Dai Loong Dragon Parade departing from the Main Stage at 12.15 pm.
Date: 10 Feb 2024
Time: 10 am – 9 pm
Location: Chinatown Melbourne, Little Bourke Street & Russell Street
Price: Free
Lunar New Year Family at Melbourne Museum
Melbourne Museum is celebrating the Year of the Dragon with dragon dances, creative activities and a talk on the many unique dragons found in Australia.
Enjoy the mesmerising Dragon and Lion dance troupes presented by the Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne throughout the museum. Discover your Zodiac animal with a hands-on maker activity and unleash your creativity. Learn about Australia’s dragon-like creatures, such as the Frilled Neck Lizard and Thorny Devil, as you make your own dragon with moving legs and tails.
Date: 10 Feb 2024
Time: 10 am – 3 pm
Location: Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson St, Carlton
Price: Included with Museum entry
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Celebrate Lunar New Year at Crown
Crown Melbourne welcomes the Lunar New Year with a series of events from 9 February to 3 March 2024. Events include:
Lunar New Year Launch
9 February 2024, 12 pm – 12:30 pm, The Riverwalk.
Experience the Dotting of the Eye ceremony, a family-friendly spectacle performed by the HGYS Martial Arts School and their Lion & Drum team. This ceremony symbolises the “awakening of the lion.”
Lion and Dragon Dances
9 – 18 February 2024, 7 pm & 9 pm, The Atrium.
Crown and the HGYS Martial Arts School present the classic Chinese story of ‘Leaping through the Dragon Gate,’ a performance that showcases courage and perseverance leading to a majestic transformation.
Water Dragon Puppet Display
9, 10, 11 February 2024, 45-minute show from 8 pm
The Riverwalk.
Witness masterful dragon puppetry along the Yarra River, a ceremonial celebration of the rulers of water. The free community event offers optimal viewing from the sunken steps outside Nobu and Spice Temple.
Zodiac Spectacular
9 February – 3 March 2024, The Atrium.
Delight in the wonder of the Lunar New Year with a stunning installation featuring 12 Chinese Zodiac animals descending The Atrium staircase under a canopy of illuminated lanterns.
Date: 9 – 24 Feb 2024
Location: Crown Melbourne, The Riverwalk and The Atrium
Prahran Square Lunar New Year Celebrations
Celebrate Lunar New Year at Prahran Square with an exciting lineup of traditional Chinese-themed activities and entertainment! Enjoy Lion and Dragon Dancers as they enchant the crowd with their graceful movements and vibrant colours. Explore your creativity with 3D dragon design painting or 3D card-making workshops, where you can unleash your artistic talents and craft personalised creations.
Date: Saturday 10 February 2024
Time: 12 pm – 3.30 pm
Location: Prahran Square, Cato Street, Prahran
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Free Lunar New Year activities at NGV
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at NGV, with free activities on 10 and 11 February 2024. This year’s Lunar New Year program at the NGV features lion and dragon dances weaving through the Great Hall, Korean Samul Nori performances, guided tours of the NGV Triennial exhibition in Mandarin, English and AUSLAN, art-making activities, and more.
Date: 10 & 11 February 2024
Location: NGV International
Price: FREE
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon this Lunar New Year at Queen Victoria Market
In the week leading up to the Lunar New Year, enjoy the 100 stunning red lanterns brightening the Market sheds. On Saturday, 10th February 2024, witness the exciting lion dance as it makes its way through the Market.
Date: Saturday 10 February 2024
Location: Queen Victoria Markets
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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.
