We’ve rounded up some of the best things to do and places to eat during Sydney Lunar Festival. It’s happening from 21 January to 5 February.

Lunar Spectacular shows

Sydney Town Hall

Saturday 4 February from 10am

Performers share their culture through traditional and contemporary dance and music. See the official Sydney Lunar Festival site for show information and free bookings.

Banner Galleries

Various locations

Saturday 21 January to Sunday 5 February

Five Asian–Australian artists share what the Year of the Rabbit means for them in colourful, bright and engaging banner artworks displayed on our outdoor banner galleries. Visit Sydney Lunar Festival for gallery locations.

Daily lion dancing performances

Monday to Thursday, 12pm and 12.30pm at Sydney Town Hall steps Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 7.30pm and 8pm at various locations in Haymarket

Lion dancing troupes will ring in the Lunar New Year with plenty of drumming, flamboyance and skill. See the full schedule.

Lunar Gateways

Corner of Campbell and George streets and corner of Thomas and Hay streets

Saturday 21 January to Sunday 5 February

Each gateway is hand painted with design and cultural references to Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese architectural features.

Dragon Boat Races

Cockle Bay Wharf

Welcome Ceremony Friday 27 January

Saturday 28 January, 8am to 5pm and Sunday 29 January 8:30am to 3pm

Watch the biggest dragon boat races in the southern hemisphere as more than 3,000 paddlers churn up the waters and battle it out.

Celebrate the year of the Rabbit at South Eveleigh

Cornwallis Street, Eveleigh

Sunday 22 January from 11am to 4pm

Enjoy Lunar performances, cultural activities and specially curated dishes from Kylie Kwong’s Australian-Cantonese eatery Lucky Kwong, Eat Fuh and Pepper Seeds Boutique Thai Bites plus more.

Thai Town Lunar Fest

Metro Hotel Marlow, 431-439 Pitt St, Haymarket

Saturday 21 January to Sunday 5 February

Enjoy spectacular street decors, delicious authentic Thai food and shopping in Thai Town.

Lunar Sea

Australian Maritime Museum

Saturday 4 February to Sunday 5 February

A weekend of captivating cultural performances, creative family friendly workshops, tours and trails.

WSFM Rabbit Run

George Street, from QVB to Chinatown

Saturday 21 January to Sunday 5 February

Sydney’s 101.7 WSFM is giving people the chance to win $5,000. All you need to do is look for their rabbits hidden around the Festival. Simply track down a rabbit, scan the QR code and register your details for the chance to win. For more places in the draw, make sure you find all 4.

SBS Jigsaw Rabbit

Dixon Street, Haymarket

Saturday 21 January to Sunday 5 February

The ‘Jigsaw Rabbit’ is an expression of tradition evolving and being reinterpreted through a modern lens and shape by artist Chris Yee and brought to life by Sydney based Fabricators, Domus Vim.

Lunar Feasts

Sumptuous banquets, traditional Asian dishes and feasting galore – celebrate the Lunar New Year at one of these venues.

Chinatown and Haymarket

Haymarket Chamber of Commerce 2023 Chinese New Year Banquet

The Eight Chinese Restaurant, Level 3, Market City, 9-13 Hay Street, Haymarket

Friday 3 February from 6pm to 10pm

Gong Grocer: Lunar New Year Gift Shop & Snack Bar @ DSQ

Gong Grocer pop-up, 35 Tumbalong Blvd, Haymarket

Thursday 19 January to Sunday 29 January

City centre

Lunar New Year at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

The Fullerton Hotel, 1 Martin Place, Sydney

Saturday 21 January to Sunday 5 February

City North

Spice Temple Lunar New Year banquet menu

Spice Temple, 10 Bligh Street, Sydney

Tuesday 17 January 2023 to Saturday 28 January

Altitude: Lunar New Year degustation dinner

Shangri-La Sydney, 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks

Saturday 21 January 2023 to Sunday 5 February

Lunar New Year - Trust the Chef at Blu Bar on 36

Shangri-La Sydney, 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks

Saturday 21 January 2023 to Sunday 5 February

Want more?

• Food and drink events during Sydney Lunar Festival
• Family friendly events during Sydney Lunar Festival
• Free things to do during Sydney Lunar Festival

Discover the Sydney Lunar Festival program.

The City of Sydney is proud to partner with The Benevolent Society during Sydney Lunar Festival.