Lunar New Year 2026
A city-wide celebration of culture, food and community as Sydney welcomes the Year of the Horse
Each year, Sydney’s Lunar New Year celebrations grow in scale and spirit, bringing together the city’s Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Malaysian and Korean communities in one of the largest Lunar New Year festivals outside Asia.
In 2026, Lunar New Year falls on 17 February, with celebrations unfolding across the city from 14 February to 1 March. This year marks the Year of the Horse, a symbol of confidence, ambition and strength. Even more significant, 2026 welcomes the Fire Horse, which appears only once every 60 years and represents passion, vitality and brightness.
At the centre of it all is the Sydney Lunar Festival, a 16-day celebration that transforms the CBD, Haymarket and Darling Harbour into a vibrant mix of lanterns, performances, street food and shared moments.
Sydney Lunar Streets: where the festival begins
One of the most anticipated moments of the festival is Sydney Lunar Streets, when the laneways of Haymarket come alive for a large-scale street celebration.
From Chinatown to Thaitown, expect lion dances, DJs, pop-up food stalls, markets and traditional and contemporary cultural performances. Lanterns line the streets, while a striking Fire Horse installation rises over Dixon Street, creating a lively, welcoming atmosphere that signals the start of the Lunar New Year celebrations.
It’s festive, energetic and designed to be wandered through, with something happening around every corner.
Lion dancing and cultural performances
Across the festival period, lion dancing and cultural performances take place throughout Haymarket on selected evenings, bringing colour, rhythm and movement to the streets.
Community performers from a range of cultural backgrounds share music, dance and storytelling in short, accessible performances that invite audiences to pause, watch and join the celebration. These moments form the heartbeat of the festival, spontaneous, joyful and deeply rooted in tradition.
Lunar Extravaganza at Sydney Town Hall
For a more structured performance experience, Lunar Extravaganza brings dance, music and song to the Centennial Hall stage at Sydney Town Hall.
Cultural groups from Chinese, Korean, Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese communities perform across two shows on Saturday 21 February. With no bookings required, it’s an easy way to experience the diversity and artistry that define Lunar New Year celebrations in Sydney.
For full program details, performance times and official updates, we recommend visiting the Sydney Lunar Festival website.
Beyond the headline events
Beyond the main festival moments, Lunar New Year spills across the city. From concerts at the Sydney Opera House to family workshops, dragon boat racing in Darling Harbour, craft activities and night markets, the celebration invites participation at every pace.
Food plays a central role throughout, with Chinatown, Darling Square and Darling Quarter offering countless ways to feast, from bustling banquets to street snacks and night markets.
For a list of all events happening in and around Sydney, we recommend visiting the Destination NSW website.
A calm place to return to
After the colour, crowds and celebration, Pyrmont offers a quieter counterpoint. Hotel Woolstore 1888 sits close to Darling Harbour and within easy reach of Haymarket, making it a comfortable base for dipping in and out of the festival.
Settle in with dinner or a late drink at Percy, then ease into the next day slowly before heading back out to welcome the new year.