Lunar Lanes street party kicks off Sydney Lunar Festival Year of the Rat

Thousands celebrate opening night

The streets, laneways and squares of Chinatown, Haymarket and Darling Harbour were brought to life with free performances, markets and carnival rides for the Lunar Lanes street party.

The event marks the start of the Lunar New Year and 16 days of Sydney Lunar Festival celebrations.

Credit: Adam Hollingworth

Dragons light up the night sky

A colourful, 10m long, luminous, LED dragon twists and sweeps its way through the festivities along Dixon Street. The electrifying LED lion dancers will perform throughout Sydney Lunar Festival, be sure to check What’s On for times.

Credit: Adam Hollingworth

A foodies delight

Lunar New Year is a time for families to come together and share an amazing feast.

Foods from all cultures were on offer from a variety of onsite food trucks and market stalls.

Credit: Jessica Lindsay

Eye dotting ceremony

“Over the years we’ve seen the festival grow from a small community event in Chinatown to one of the largest lunar celebrations in the world – so I’m looking forward to the Lunar Lanes celebrations returning to the place it all began 24 years ago,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

Credit: Jessica Lindsay

Colourful performances

Sydney Lunar Festival draws on the many cultures that observe the lunar calendar including Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, and Malaysian communities.

This year’s international performers include the singers, dancers and acrobats of the Shaanxi Performing Troupe, one of Korea’s top b-boy crews MB Crew and Korean traditional percussion ensemble Nanjang & Pan.

Credit: Adam Hollingworth

Sliding down Harbour Street

A street party isn’t complete without carnival games and rides for all the family to enjoy.

Credit: Jessica Lindsay

Jumping rats

The streets of Chinatown abuzz with live entertainment, roving performers, face painting, golden Rat robots and more. Dancekool impresses crowds with its roving street dance performances throughout the night.

Credit: Jessica Lindsay

A year for new beginnings

The Rat is the first in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac and is a symbol of new beginnings. The Rat is viewed fondly in Chinese culture and is seen as a busy, industrious, gregarious animal with intelligence and wit.

Credit: Jessica Lindsay

Dragons light up the night sky

A colourful, 10m long, luminous, LED dragon twists and sweeps its way through the festivities along Dixon Street. The electrifying LED lion dancers will perform throughout Sydney Lunar Festival, be sure to check What’s On for times.

Credit: Adam Hollingworth