Year of the Pig: Where to celebrate the 12th Chinese zodiac
The Lunar New Year has officially kicked off today and, right across Sydney, people are celebrating the twelfth animal in the Chinese zodiac — the squealing pig.
The Lunar New Year has officially kicked off today and, right across Sydney, people are celebrating the twelfth animal in the Chinese zodiac — the squealing pig.
From tucking in to an assortment of dishes curated to encourage good fortune to admiring the craftsmanship of pig lanterns while wandering by the Sydney Opera House, there are plenty of ways to mark the momentous occasion this week.
Lunar Lantern: The 2019 Hero Pig
First on the celebratory list is checking out Chinese-Australian artist Qian Jian Hua’s three-dimensional, 11-metre-long steel art installation, which forms an abstract silhouette of a pig.
It is one of the main attractions lighting up the western boardwalk of the Sydney Opera House this week — until Sunday, February 10 — and stands alongside Louise Zhang’s eight metre tall monkey tower.
Nearby, lion dancing is being held daily at 7pm and 7.30pm — except for February 8 and 9 — near the Dog and Tiger lanterns at Circular Quay.
Each performance runs for about 10 minutes and will comprise ringing in the Lunar New Year with drumming, flamboyance and skill.
Then, less than a stone’s throw away, head on over to check out Lauren Tan’s The Ox art installation, which is viewable on George St at The Rocks.
New to Sydney’s Lunar Festival, the installation is a symbol of strength and knowledge, and is being featured alongside the Lunar Lanterns — 13 larger-than-life animal signs of the Lunar zodiac — including The Spiral Pig lantern display by John Deng.
For more information about celebrations being held in Sydney’s CBD, visit www.whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
First Fleet Park: Traditional and Contemporary Performances
If art installations do not tickle your fancy, there are 46 groups — representing Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Taiwanese and Indonesian communities — sharing their culture through music and dance this week.
This includes performers involved with the DanceKool Studio, who are from all parts of Sydney.
The dance troupe is forming part of an outdoor stage at First Fleet Park, The Rocks, from 5pm until 9pm on Saturday, February 10, where they will dance alongside a mix of traditional and modern dance groups.
Performances including K-Pop, Japanese drumming, Taiwanese techno, hip hop and Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, Korean and Vietnamese dancing are free to the public.
For more information, visit www.sydneylunarfestival.com
Parramatta: Luna New Year Celebrations
If you are based further to the west of Sydney and are too busy to venture into the city to celebrate this week, Lunar New Year festivities are being at Centenary Square on Church St, Parramatta, on February 15.
Celebrate the Year of the Pig with food, entertainment, workshops and performances — including a dragon and lion dance, drumming, fan dancing and a K-Pop showcase.
Workshops include fruit carving and knot tying, and attendees even get the chance to make their own pig masks and Korean fans.
While the fun kicks off from 5pm, fireworks will light up the night sky at 9.30pm — giving families plenty of time to join in on the fun.
For more information, visit www.discoverparramatta.com
Cabramatta: Year of the Pig at Freedom Plaza
Sydney’s southwest is also celebrating the Year of the Pig with two fun-filled days of Lunar New Year festivities on February 16 and 17.
Attractions include lion dancing, firecrackers, single-handed prawn peeling competitions and traditional performances from 9am until 4pm each day.
There will even be a special visit from popular television show character Peppa Pig.
The official ceremony, which will be opened by Fairfield City Mayor Frank Carbone, is being held at 11am on the first day, followed by a traditional blessing of the Cabramatta community at 10am the following.
For more information on other activities held in the area, visit www.fairfield.nsw.gov.au/lunarnewyear
Lunar New Year at Sydney’s Luna Park
Take your Lunar New Year celebrations one step further by heading along to celebrate the Chinese tradition at Sydney’s Luna Park.
The amusement park has a Pass the Pigs gamining zone for the occasion, which is complete with giant inflatable pigs.
There will also be traditional treats with a twist to snack on, such as Chinese Duck Pizza and a Roasted Duck Wrap.
A wishing tree will be on site as well to bring good fortunes for the coming year, along with a visit from a calligrapher to write names in Chinese Calligraphy.
A visual feast of traditional lion dancing will then be held at 8pm each night — on February 8 and 9 — with the park opening from 4pm and running until 10pm.
For more information on how to celebrate or what to expect at Sydney’s Luna Park, visit www.lunaparksydney.com
Immerse yourself in tradition at Chatswood
Celebrations at Chatswood are also continuing to shine, with residents marking the Year of the Pig with a three-week cultural celebration.
If you cannot make lion dancing at Westfield Chatswood at 6pm on Thursday, follow up shows will be held at Chatswood Mall at 11.30am on Saturday — followed by Westfield Chatswood at 12pm, Mandarin Centre at 1pm and at The Concourse at 4pm the same day.
Women at Chatswood Mall will also wear cheongsam — known as a qipao — throughout the period, and tours exploring the food, flavours, sights and cultures will be held to showcase one of Sydney’s premiere Chinese culinary destinations.
For more information on the giant inflatable pigs, the 88 Golden Pigs Display or Kung Fu demonstrations, visit www.visitchatswood.com.au
Celebrate in the City of Canterbury Bankstown
The City of Canterbury Bankstown is going the whole hog this year, celebrating the Lunar New year with fan dances, traditional dances, chopstick challenges, drumming, ice sculptures, fruit carving, martial arts demonstrations and fashion parades.
Bankstown Arts Centre will be holding the inaugural Lunar New Year Parade Action Photography field trip, which will have six budding photographers undertake a four-hour masterclass at the festival with renowned photographer Neoklis Bloukos.
Lunar New Year celebrations will also continue in Campsie Town Centre on February 13, from 12pm until 2pm, including a lion dance and visit from the god of fortune.
Musical performances will also be held at the Riverwood Library and Community Hub this Thursday, from 3.30pm until 5pm.
For more information, visit cb.city/lunarnewyear
Year of the Pig with Bayside Council
Traditional food is set to be dished up at Dacey Gardens, Daceyville, this Saturday, as the community celebrates the Lunar New Year.
Traditional musicians and singers will also be on show, as well as lion dances, the god of fortune and activities for the kids.
The even will run from 4pm until 9pm.
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