Chinese New Year 2018: How to celebrate Year of the Dog in Melbourne
MELBOURNE’s Chinese community is gearing up to celebrate the Year of the Dog this month. From colourful festivals to special events, here’s what’s on around the city.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News . Followed categories will be added to My News.
MOST of us have already celebrated the New Year on January 1, but for the Chinese community, their celebration is a nearly two-week event that in 2018 doesn’t take place until mid-February.
Commonly referred to as Chinese New Year, it is also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year — a vibrant, theatrical event underpinned by a strong sense of tradition.
Families gather to exchange gifts of cash while the streets are filled with the sounds of firecrackers and bells ringing as traditional lion dances are performed.
In the Chinese zodiac, 2018 is the Year of the Dog. Keep reading to find out what that means, and what events will be on around Melbourne during the festivities.
When is Chinese New Year?
Interestingly, the date changes every year and is determined by the Chinese lunisolar calendar. This year, it falls on Friday 16 February;however, festivities take place a couple of weeks either side of that date. See below for a full list of events and festivals.
Year of the Dog
In total, there are 12 Chinese zodiac animals with the Dog ranking eleventh among them. This sign is associated with the earth and the colour brown.
This is the first Year of the Dog since 2006. Previous years include 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982 and 1994.
Like their canine counterparts, people born under this sign are loyal, brave, honest and popular and it is considered good fortune for a Dog to come to a house. Generally, Dogs are healthy and driven with popular career choices including law enforcement, politics, medicine, education and journalism.
Overall, the Year of the Dog invokes sentiments of loyalty, love and courage. People born under this sign emit the warmest aspects of human nature and will never abandon those closest to them.
Celebrities born under the Dog sign include Madonna, Michael Jackson, Prince William, Elvis Presley, Gary Oldman and Mariah Carey.
If you’re unsure what your Chinese zodiac animal is, find out here.
SUBURBAN FESTIVALS
According to the Australian Chinese New Year website, the following suburban festivals will feature lion dancing, firecrackers, traditional food and folk music, dancers, martial artists and more. Contact organisers on 03 9830 7231 for further information and to confirm event details in your area.
Main St, Saturday, February 17, 11am-11pm
Kingsway, Sunday, February 25, all day
Springvale Shopping Precinct (bounded by Windsor, Buckingham and Balmoral avenues), Sunday, February 11, 10am-10pm
Preston Market, Cramer and Mary streets, Saturday, February 17, 10am-3pm
Festivities, events and offers
CHINESE NEW YEAR’S DAY AT QUEENSBRIDGE SQUARE
Queensbridge Square, 1A Queensbridge Street, Melbourne
Friday, February 16, 6pm-10pm
300 performers from more than 20 organisations will come together in a dazzling display of traditional Chinese dance, music and cultural activities. Join the Chinese community as they see the New Year in and enjoy some complimentary dumplings.
Queensbridge Square
February 17-18 and 24-25, 10.30am-9.30pm both weekends
Queensbridge Square will be transformed into a Chinese cultural hub, where visitors can experience Chinese hand crafts, food stalls, cooking demonstrations, tai chi, traditional dance and performances, traditional tea ceremonies, drumming and more.
Crown Casino, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank
February 8 to March 5 (fireworks, 17 February at 9.45pm)
Crown Melbourne has a bumper program of celebrations in store including their famous Hawker’s Bazaar, fireworks, food stalls, cultural performances, activities, fire dragons shows and a stunning Zodiac Spectacular display. Don’t miss Crown Riverwalk’s famous flame towers transformed into magnificent fire breathing dragons, thanks to local street artists. These will be on display until Tuesday, February 27. Follow the link for more information and specific dates and times.
Corner Russell and Little Bourke streets
Sunday, February 18, 11am-10pm (festival runs from Monday, February 12 to Friday, March 2)
There will be a range of events in Melbourne’s CBD on the official opening day of the New Year festival including lion dancers, a dragon parade and street stalls.
CHINATOWN TOP OF THE TOWN YUM CHA
Little Bourke St, between Liverpool and Exhibition streets
Sunday, February 18, 11.30am-2.30pm
Enjoy al fresco yum cha amid roving performances and Chinese New Year festivities. Delicious dumplings and dim sum will be served, accompanied by fragrant tea and wine.
$36pp (drinks not included), bookings essential. Follow link above for booking information.
RACV MEMBERS OFFER AT THE CHINESE MUSEUM
Chinese Museum, 22 Cohen Place, Melbourne
February 10-17
The RACV sponsors Melbourne’s traditional dragon parade, and this Chinese New Year they are also providing their members with free entry to Melbourne’s Chinese Museum from February 10 to 17. Simply present your RACV membership card to gain entry. Check the website for further information and other RACV exclusive members offers.
Chinese Museum, 22 Cohen Place, Melbourne
Sunday, February 18, 10am-4pm
Those who aren’t RACV members can still visit the Chinese Museum for free on their open day. Follow Chinese Australian history from the gold rush to present through five floors of exhibits.
LUNAR NEW YEAR AT THE MELBOURNE STAR
Melbourne Star Observation Wheel, 101 Waterfront Way, Docklands
February 16-March 2
Get an amazing view of the Chinese New Year fireworks from aboard the Melbourne Star. Use the code LUNARNY40 when booking online for 40% off single general admission adult and child tickets, valid until March 2.
DOG DAY PARADE WITH AFTERNOON TEA
Treasury Gardens, 2-18 Spring Street, Melbourne
Sunday, February 25, 11am-3pm
Enjoy yum cha in the scenic surrounds of Melbourne’s Treasury Gardens while watching some cuddly pooches on parade.
$36pp (drinks not included), bookings essential. Follow link above for booking information.
DFO SOUTH WHARF CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION
DFO South Wharf, 20 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf
February 16-March 2
Indulge in some retail therapy while you take part in the festivities with competitions, special offers from retailers, giveaways and traditional Chinese entertainment (on Saturday, February 24).
Palais Theatre, Lower Esplanade, St Kilda
Wednesday, February 28, 7pm-10pm
A highlight of Melbourne’s Chinese New Year celebrations, this annual event attracts more than 2500 people. This year it will be headlined by the He Nan Province Arts Company and the Shao Lin Monk Chinese Culture and Martial Arts Academy, supported by local community arts groups.
Tickets available through Liang Qing at liangqing0815@hotmail.com or call 0432 026 602.
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Chadstone Shopping Centre, 1341 Dandenong Road Chadstone
Saturday, February 3 to Wednesday, February 28, from 9:30am daily
Kids will love the Chinese New Year festivities at LEGOLAND. Build a mini LEGO dog, see mini dragons and win prizes in special themed competitions.
Tickets from $32.50
EAST MEETS WEST CHINESE NEW YEAR CONCERT
Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, Southbank
Saturday, February 24, 7.30pm-9.30pm
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s annual Chinese New Year celebration has become one of the highlights of the festivities. This year they will be collaborating with Chinese artists including Lü Jia and Lu Siqing to perform the famous Chinese orchestral work Butterfly Lovers concerto. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this musical masterpiece.
Tickets from $40.00
PINING STRINGS, LINGERING HARMONY
Malthouse Theatre, 113 Sturt Street, Southbank
Saturday, March 3, 7pm-9pm
Experience classical Chinese theatre as performed with beautiful ancient instruments. The work revolves around the guqin instrument, with ten pieces to be performed over a 90 minute period.
Tickets from $58.00
LUNAR NEW YEAR AT SEA LIFE MELBOURNE
Melbourne Aquarium, King and Flinders streets, Melbourne
Saturday, February 3 to Wednesday, February 28
The aquarium is celebrating Chinese New Year with underwater dragon dance performances and a wishing wall where you can add your wish. Visit between February 15 to 17 and receive a lucky red packet full of special offers.
Children’s tickets from $22.40, adults from $33.60 when booked online.
LUNAR NEW YEAR AT MELBOURNE ZOOS
Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo
Friday, February 16 to Friday, March 2
All three of Melbourne’s zoos will be hosting special Chinese New Year activities including traditional lantern displays and food offerings. Visit their African wild dogs to wish them a happy new year or take part in the special WeChat photo competition.
Children’s tickets from $18.00, adults from $36.00.
Children under 16 receive free entry to the zoos on weekends, Victorian public holidays and Victorian Government school holidays.
Federation Square, Swanston Street, Melbourne
Thursday, February 15, 6pm-12.15am
Head along to Fed Square to watch traditional lion dancers, performers and Asian cinema in an outdoor theatre as the crowd counts down to the New Year.
BLACK CAVIAR, THE GREAT HORSE RACEDAY
Flemington Racecourse, 448 Epsom Road, Flemington
Saturday, February 18, gates open 11am (race one jumps 12.30pm, last race 5.25pm)
The highlight of the day is the Group 1 Lightning Stakes, won by champions including Mahogany, Choisir, Takeover Target and Black Caviar. The race meeting will celebrate Asian culture with street inspired treats, sushi, bubble tea and a dessert parlour. You don’t have to be a racing fan to enjoy the day with live entertainment, cultural displays and bars on offer.
Tickets from $12 with free entry to all students with a valid full-time student/concession card.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS AT THE VALLEY
Moonee Valley Racecourse, 1 McPherson Street, Moonee Ponds
Friday, 23 February, gates open 5:15pm (race one jumps 6:30pm)
It’s all happening at the Valley this Chinese New Year. There will be food trucks and stalls serving up delicious Chinese fare, dragon and lion dancers, a Melbourne City FC kids clinic and even a free rice giveaway. Racing fans will enjoy the Group 3 Typhoon Tracy stakes and experience one race being called in Mandarin.
Free entry
MUSEUMS VICTORIA KELPIE PROJECTION
Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton
Now until Thursday, February 15, 9:30-11:00pm every evening
Museums Victoria are celebrating Chinese New Year across three of their sites. At the Royal Exhibition Building you can see high quality images of an iconic Australian dog breed, the Kelpie, projected onto the facade. Don’t miss the chance to see these stunning visuals.
SEE SUN LOONG, THE LONGEST AND OLDEST IMPERIAL DRAGON
Royal Exhibition Building (northern entrance opposite Melbourne Museum), 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton
Sunday, February 11, 12:30pm
Museums Victoria have arranged for the oldest and longest imperial dragon in Australia to visit Melbourne for a spectular dragon parade and dance! 48 years old and 100 metres long, Sun Loong will be displayed at the Melbourne Museum until February 25.
FOOD, FORTUNE AND FUR-BABIES AT THE IMMIGRATION MUSEUM
Melbourne Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Sunday, February 25, from 11:30am
The Immigration Museum will be celebrating Year of the Dog with a one day festival featuring fortune telling and delicious food. Dogs are encouraged to join in with canine food trucks and special dog parades making this a fun day out.
MELBOURNE CENTRAL WELCOMES YEAR OF THE DOG
Melbourne Central Shopping Centre, 211 La Trobe Street, Melbourne
Friday 16 - Sunday 27 February
To celebrate Chinese New Year, Melbourne Central will be hosting ping pong matches between local Melbourne identities, with the public having the opportunity to try their hand at the sport. All participants will enter the draw to win one of three ping pong tables artworked by Sydney artist Phibs. Additionally, there will be a 4x4m room filled with 888 waving lucky cats. The public is welcome to take photos with this iconic Chinese symbol; please note this installation will conclude on Sunday, February 25.
DANDENONG MARKET LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVAL
Dandenong Market, Corner Clow and Cleeland Streets, Dandenong
Sunday, February 25, 10am - 4pm
Dandenong Market is set to have their biggest Chinese New Year celebration yet with taekwondo, dragon and lion dancing as well as Chinese drumming headlining the event. This free festival will feature a pop-up food stall area with over 16 vendors and food trucks offering a diverse range of Asian cuisine. There will be plenty of live entertainment with nine impressive performances to take place, including a flying dragon spanning over 20 metres.
FIND YOUR FORTUNE AT EMPORIUM MELBOURNE
Emporium Melbourne, 287 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
February 16 - March 2
Emporium Melbourne will be launching Chinese New Year celebrations with the announcement of their new and exciting partnership with Union Pay. There will be a stunning pagoda installation within the centre where visitors can find out their Chinese zodiac predictions for 2018. Spend $288 at selected stores and visit the pagoda on selected dates (see website) for your chance to win hundreds of gift cards and prizes.
CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL @ BOX HILL CENTRAL
Box Hill Central, 1 Main Street, Box Hill
February 16 - 17
There’s plenty to do and see at Box Hill Central’s Lunar New Year Festival. Venture into a forest of 4m high traditional Chinese opera masks for your chance to win in the CNY Instagram snaps competition or get your photo taken with a Chinese lion in a large scale 3D art installation. There will also be over 100 market stalls, dragon and lion dancers as well as a firecracker show.
‘MAKE ME RICH’ DUMPLINGS @ NEW SHANGHAI
New Shanghai Chadstone, 1341 Dandenon Road, Chadstone
February 5 - March 2
Dumplings are an integral part of Chinese cuisine and there is a legend that states the more of them you eat during Chinese New Year celebrations, the richer you will be in the New Year. New Shanghai’s Chadstone outlet has created a special dumpling to help you eat your way to a ‘richer’ 2018. Their prawn dumpling has been decorated with four colourful ingredients to represent luck, health, fortune and grounded. Getting ‘lucky’ has never seemed so easy!
$16 per serve of four pieces
CHINESE NEW YEAR ART INSTALLATION @ ST. COLLINS LANE
St. Collins Lane, 260 Collins Street, Melbourne
From Thursday, February 22. Unveiling at 10:30am
As part of their Chinese New Year celebrations, St. Collins Lane will be unveiling a sculpture created as part of a global public art project, Travel Everywhere With Love. The piece, titled He knew this was going to be a year of good fortune has been created in honour of the Year of the Dog by Australian artists Gillie and Marc.
Have we missed any events? Email teigan.kozina@news.com.au
Brewery puts name on global sporting stage
It’s the little brewery that could. A South Gippsland craft brewer is putting its name on a motorsport event with a global audience of more than 100 million people.
West Gate Tunnel build set to close key Docklands route
Brace for more traffic pain linked to the West Gate Tunnel project with a key route in the Docklands set to close.