From the classic twilight street parade, to the very new Karaoke Bridge Climb, Stephanie Stefanovic gives you the perfect guide to Chinese New Year in Sydney.
Also known as Lunar New Year, Chinese New Year begins on the first day of the Chinese calendar, which usually falls anywhere between late January and mid-February. Chinese New Year is both the longest and most important event in the Chinese calendar, with celebrations spanning over 15 days. One of the most important features of Chinese New Year is the influence of the Chinese zodiac. There are 12 distinct animals which make up the Chinese zodiac; one for each year of the 12-year lunar cycle. 2015 is the year of the sheep, which is associated with good luck. This year, Sydney’s celebrations will feature parades, feasts and spectacular decorations, as well as a number of unique events to showcase Chinese culture.
Image: Geoff Jones
The “Karaoke Climb”
When: Monday 16th – Saturday 28th February
Where: Sydney Harbour Bridge
Cost: Adult $218 – $258, Child $148 – $178
Celebrate Chinese New Year by participating in Sydney’s first-ever “karaoke climb”, where you can choose 1 of 5 songs to sing alone or in a group. Your unique experience will be recorded in an 8-second video, which will be yours to keep forever. For bookings and more information, visit www.bridgeclimb.com
Lunar Streets
When: Saturday 14th February, 5.00pm – 11.00pm
Where: Chinatown (Sussex St, between Goulburn and Hay St), Thaitown (Campbell St, between George and Pitt St), Koreatown (Pitt St, between Central and Liverpool St)
Cost: Free
Join friends or family at one of the long outdoor tables set up along the streets, where you can feast under vibrant lanterns and enjoy the flavours of Chinese, Thai and Korean cuisine. There will also be entertainment well into the night, with performances by PopAsia and an appearance by Shaun the Sheep, star of Shaun The Sheep: The Movie.
Tea Leaf Reading
When: Saturday 21st February, 2.45pm – 4.45pm
Where: Chinese Garden of Friendship, Pier St, Darling Harbour
Cost: Adult $6, Child $3
Visit one of Sydney’s most iconic parks and experience a tea leaf reading by experts from Tea by the Sea. Enjoy the picturesque location while you drink quality loose-leaf tea and allow picture formations to reveal your past and future.
Zen Painting
When: Sunday 15 February, 1.00pm – 4.00pm
Where: Art Gallery of NSW, Function Space
Cost: Free
Visit any time from 1.00pm to 4.00pm to watch or create your own painting, as Zen monk Suan shows you his method of achieving inner-peace through the use of brush and ink. Learn about Asian culture and Zen teachings as Suan focuses on symbols of Buddhism, tea ceremonies and the achievement of harmony through a happy family.
Twilight Parade
When: Sunday 22nd February, 8.00pm – 11.55pm
Where: Town Hall, Sydney (From Town Hall to Chinatown followed by fireworks at Cockle Bay Darling Harbour)
Cost: Free ($66 limited VIP seating available)
Celebrate the year of the sheep in this year’s annual twilight parade, where you can view spectacular lanterns, floats, light projections and fireworks. Floats and light projections will be used to represent the sheep’s special characteristics and there will be plenty of sheep-based entertainment, including giant merinos, shearers and “Little Bo Peeps”.
