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Fun (and free) events to celebrate Lunar New Year in Melbourne
By Bhavya Vemulapalli
The Year of the Dragon is said to usher in a time of abundance and prosperity, and there’s no shortage of events across Melbourne to celebrate.
The heart of Melbourne’s Lunar New Year celebration will, of course, take place in Chinatown. Little Bourke Street will transform this Saturday into a festival celebrating the food, music, art and culture of Melbourne’s Chinese and Asian communities. The must-see Dai Loong Dragon Parade will begin winding through the precinct just after midday.
Lunar New Year celebrations in Box Hill. Credit: Paul Jeffers
The suburbs also have plenty of immersive events for young and old. In Clayton, you can pay homage to the deities and seek blessings at a first incense offering, and in Preston, you can hone your dumpling-making skills.
Here’s what’s happening near you.
Dragon boat racing
Location: Community Hub at The Dock, 912 Collins Street, Docklands
When: Sunday, February 25 – 9am to 4pm
Chinese Lunar New Year dragon festival
Location: Chinatown – Little Bourke Street & Russell Street, Melbourne
When: Sunday, February 11 – 10am to 9pm
Lunar New Year at Crown Melbourne
Location: Crown Melbourne, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank
When: Friday, February 9 until Thursday, February 15
The Venerable Jue Min from Fo Guang Shan at a shrine in Chinatown in February 2021.Credit: Chris Hopkins
NGV Lunar New Year celebration
Location: 180 St Kilda Road, Southbank
When: Saturday, February 10 and Sunday, February 11 – 10am to 5pm both days
Lunar New Year at the Immigration Museum
Location: 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne
When: Saturday, February 10 – 10am to 5pm
Lunar New Year at Collins Square
Location: 727 Collins Street, Docklands
When: Thursday, February 15 – 11am to 2pm
EziStreat Lunar New Year celebrations
Location: 275 Macaulay Road, North Melbourne
When: Saturday, February 10 – 12pm to 5pm
Jia Xin Nong art exhibition
Location: Collins Square, 727 Collins Street, Docklands
When: Thursday, February 8 until Thursday, February 22 – 10am to 2pm daily
Lunar New Year at QV Melbourne
Location: Swanston Street & Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
When: Thursday, February 8 until Wednesday, February 21 – 10am to 10pm daily
Lunar New Year at Queen Vic Market
Location: Queen Street, Melbourne
When: Saturday, February 10 – 10am to 12pm
Performers for Lunar New Year on stage at Federation Square in 2017.Credit: Meredith O’Shea
Jenny Zhe Chang: Sharing Light and Love through Blessings
Location: Window, Library at The Dock, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands
When: Thursday, February 8 until Sunday, February 18 – during library opening hours
New Year first incense offering
Location: 1372-1374 Centre Road, Clayton South
When: Friday, February 9 at 10.30pm and Saturday, February 10 at 2am
Lunar New Year story-time and dumpling-making
Location: Preston Library, 266 Gower Street, Preston
When: Wednesday, February 14 – 11.15am to 1.15pm
Make a Lunar New Year dragon
Location: Carrum Downs Library, 203 Lyrebird Drive, Carrum Downs
When: Friday, February 9 – 4pm to 5pm
Location: Frankston Library, 60 Playne Street, Frankston
When: Saturday, February 17 at 1pm and Monday, March 4 at 2pm
Victorians are expected to flock to the CBD for an array of events for Lunar New Year.Credit: Meredith O’Shea
The year of the dragon celebration event
Location: Richmond Library, 415 Church Street, Richmond
When: Sunday, February 25 – 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Lunar New Year lion dance performance
Location: Darebin Intercultural Centre, 350 High Street, Preston
When: Wednesday, February 14 – 12pm to 12.30pm
This year’s events will celebrate the Year of the Dragon. Credit: Paul Jeffers
Lunar New Year bubble-tea making
Location: Darebin Intercultural Centre, 350 High Street Preston
When: Friday, February 16 – 3pm to 4pm
Writing competition: Lunar New Year stories in Vietnamese
Location: Richmond Library, 415 Church Street, Richmond
When: People are invited to submit stories about Tet celebrations after settling in Australia, with prizes for the best pieces. Submissions close at 5.30pm on April 30.
The Lounge: Lunar New Year
Location: Salvation Army Geelong, 237-239 Malop Street, Geelong
When: Thursday, February 22 – 5pm to 8pm