Celebrating the New Year might seem kind of familiar or like a distant dream, depending on how you rang in 2016. Now, it is time to usher in the Lunar New Year and the Celebration of Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival. The Chinese Calendar counts the years by astronomical phenomenon and The Year of the Monkey begins with this next full moon. Chinese New Year Celebrations typically run from the first day of the new moon until the day of the lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first calendar month. For 2016 the first day of celebrations starts February 8, 2016 and many of the celebrations throughout Australia run through the 21st of February to include the weekend after February 15th. Since Australia is home to a large population of Asians, the Lunar New Year celebrations are very popular throughout the country and especially in Sydney and Melbourne. Stay tuned to our blog next week for other places throughout Australia to celebrate Chinese New Year. Here are some of the top Chinese New Year celebrations in Sydney and Melbourne:
Melbourne Chinese New Year Celebrations Photo Credit: MelbourneChineseNewyear.com
Sydney Chinese New Year Celebrations Photo Credit: Sydney.com
Chinese New Year in Sydney
Chinese New Year in Sydney Photo Credit: CityofSydney.nsw.gov.au
Sydney Chinese New Year Photo Credit: Fodors.com
Lunar Lanterns Exhibition in Sydney Photo Credit: Australia.etbtravelnews.com
Lunar Feasts Photo Credit: ChineseNewYear.com.au
Sydney actually makes the list as one of the top places in the world to celebrate the Chinese New Year outside of Asia. As you might imagine, that is because Sydney offers up a large variety of fabulous events. Some of the things to do include parades, Lunar Lanterns, special Lunar Feasts, fireworks, firecrackers, food, traditional folk music, dancers, martial arts demonstrations, lion dances and more. In addition to all of the performances and entertainment, there will be stalls with a variety of different vendors to help add their own unique spin and additions to the celebrations.
Chinese New Year Events throughout Sydney
Sydney Chinese New Year Celebrations Photo Credit: Sydney.com
Sydney Chinese New Year Celebrations Photo Credit: Sydney.com
Sydney Chinese New Year Celebrations Photo Credit: Sydney.com
Throughout Sydney, you will see different Chinese New Year Celebrations in different locations throughout the city including: Chinatown, Chatswood, Ashfield, Bankstown, Parramatta, Cabramatta, Eastwood, Hurstville, Strathfield, and Blacktown. Sydney Harbour could be considered the hub of the celebrations with the Lunar Lanterns exhibition, the Monkey placed at the Sydney Opera House, Lunar Markets, Pyrmont Bay Park’s pop-up festival, and the largest Dragon Boat Race in Cockle Bay. Look for some firsts this year including ninety 6 foot Terracotta Warrior lanterns and Lunar Streets on each street in Chinatown, Thaitown, and Koreatown.
Hiring a Car in Sydney
Sydney Map Photo Credit: Google Maps
Sydney Car Hire Map Photo Credit: Budget.com.au
The Budget Car Rental location in Kings Cross is centrally located in Sydney and is a popular choice because of its close proximity to Sydney Harbour. However, there are plenty of other car hire locations in Sydney where you can rent a car. Budget rental agents are knowledgeable and will help you find the right vehicle rental for you at the right price. Having your own vehicle to get around lets you explore the city on your own schedule. While in Sydney, in addition to all the lovely outdoor pools, other things to do include:
Best Scenic Drives in Australia: Greater Blue Mountains
Scenic Drives in the Snowy Mountains
Snow Valley Way: A Delicious Scenic Drive
Things to Do on Holiday in Sydney
Sydney Holiday Ideas for Families with Kids
Free Things to Do in Sydney
A Spectacular New Year’s Eve in Sydney
Places to See in and Around Sydney
5 Day Trips from Sydney
Sydney’s Famous and Secret Beaches
Scenic Drive from Sydney to Melbourne
Experience the Vast Beauty of Wollemi National Park
Royal National Park
Summertime is the Perfect Time for Sydney’s Outdoor Pools
Chinese New Year Celebrations in Melbourne
Dragon Parade Melbourne Photo Credit: WeekendNotes.com
Melbourne Chinese New Year Celebrations Photo Credit: CNYMelbourne.com.au
Melbourne Chinese New Year Celebrations Photo Credit: MelbourneChineseNewyear.com
Melbourne Chinese New Year Celebrations Photo Credit: MelbourneChineseNewyear.com
Melbourne has a long list of Chinese New Year Festivals and celebrations in 2016. You won’t have trouble finding something to do with fun ways to ring in the Lunar New Year everywhere. Plan to see fireworks and hear firecrackers, be entertained by lion dances, traditional folk music, dancers, martial arts demonstrations, performances, parades, and more. Many different venues and locations through the city will be host to similar festivals, dragon boat races, and vendor stalls. Venues include Melbourne Chinatown, Box Hill, Glen Waverley, Springvale, Richmond, Footscray, Federation Square, Flemington, and Crown. The Melba Restaurant is celebrating with a Dim ‘Yum’ Chinese New Year Celebration. They are welcoming in the year of the Monkey with feast fit for The Jade Emperor. Enjoy a variety of traditional Chinese Dim Sum menu items like steamed buns, Golden syrup dumplings, Shanghai pork dumplings and more. Since it is the year of the Monkey, the three zoos in Melbourne invite you to see the monkeys at the Melbourne Zoo and the Werribee Open Range Zoo. All of the Melbourne zoos will have special experiences to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Chinese New Year in Victoria Market
Chinese New Year Celebrations in Melbourne Photo Credit: ChineseNewYear.com.au
Chinese New Year Celebrations in Melbourne Photo Credit: ChineseNewYear.com.au
Chinese New Year Celebrations in Melbourne Photo Credit: ChineseNewYear.com.au
Chinese New Year Celebrations in Melbourne Photo Credit: ChineseNewYear.com.au
Melbourne’s Victoria Market will be home to one of Melbourne’s largest Chinese New Year Celebrations. Activities will include:
TRADITIONAL LION DANCE- Celebrate the Year of the Monkey with a traditional lion dance.
DRAGON DANCE- Celebrate the Year of the Monkey as the Hong De Dragon and Lion Dance Association perform a traditional dragon dance at the Summer Night Market.
ROVING GIANT CAI SHEN- See if you can find the roving Deity of Fortune throughout the Market and be rewarded with a lucky red packet.
LUCKY MONKEY MARKET TOUR- The local Chinese community has helped shape the Queen Victoria Market since 1878. Discover local Chinese history as you immerse yourself in the stories of our traders and taste your way around the iconic marketplace with an English speaking guide and Mandarin translator. Wander through the bustling Meat & Fish Hall, taste your way through the magnificent Dairy Hall and discover the seemingly endless array of seasonal fruit and vegetables. Our knowledgeable guides will introduce you to locally made arts and crafts and specialty items only available at the Market. Participants will be provided with generous seasonal tastings, a gift bag and an exclusive experience of interacting with traders and producers.
YUÁN XIĀO JIÉ AT QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET- Explore a wide variety of traditional Asian food stalls, performances and free family activities including traditional lion dances and lantern making workshops.
For specific times and dates see ChineseNewyear.com.au
Hiring a Car in Melbourne
Melbourne Car Hire Map Photo Credit: Budget.com.au
There are plenty of convenient places to hire a car in Melbourne. Having your own vehicle with your throughout your Melbourne holiday will add a convenience and freedom to go where you want when you want. Ask our friendly agents for insider tips and their favourite places in the city. Hearing ideas from locals is one of the best ways to find fun places to visit. Here are some other Melbourne holiday ideas from our blog:
Things to Do in Melbourne
Free Things To Do in Melbourne
Free Things To Do Near Melbourne
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
Melbourne with Kids
Refresh and Relax on the Mornington Peninsula
5 Stops on the Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road – Road Trip
Road Trip: Sydney to Melbourne
Escape to the Countryside South Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges
Outdoor Pools in Melbourne
Outdoor Pools in Melbourne (Part Two – Public Pools and Baths)
Foodie Tours in Melbourne Part 1
Foodie Tours in Melbourne Part 2