Welcoming the Year of the Horse
On Tuesday 17 February, people across NSW will come together to celebrate Lunar New Year and usher in the Year of the Horse.
The Year of the Horse symbolises vitality, speed, and perseverance. This year is also the Year of Fire Horse, a rare occurrence coming around only every 60 years. The Fire Horse brings energy, courage, and independence, and encourages bold goals and leadership. At the same time, people are reminded to balance passion with patience and care.
Multicultural NSW wishes a joyous Lunar New Year to all communities celebrating. May the new year bring the people of NSW happiness, peace and prosperity.
NSW is home to incredible Lunar New Year festivals and events. Find an event near you below.
What's on
Top-
When: From Friday 16 February
Where: Multiple locations
What: Bayside Council will ring in the New Year with spectacular community events, including a festival in partnership with Aussie Night Markets and a series of cultural craft workshops. -
When: Friday 20 February
Where: Chang Lai Yuan Chinese Gardens in Nurragingy Reserve
What: Adorned with colour, the celebrations will feature a range of cultural activities and entertainment, concluding with a fireworks display. -
When: Tuesday 17 February
Where: Burwood Library
What: Celebrate Lunar New Year by making a wish on the Wishing Tree.When: Saturday 21 February
Where: Lunar Lanes
What: Join the expanded Lunar New Year celebrations on Burwood Road, Ford Lane, Clarendon Place, Chinatown, Emerald Square, and Unity Place. There will be live music, creative markets, activities for kids, fireworks and dining at more than 50 local restaurants and eateries. -
When: Friday 27 February
Where: Foreshore Park, Rhodes
What: Enjoy a vibrant program of multicultural community performances, delicious food and market stalls, free children’s activities, family-friendly movie fun, and a fireworks display to close the night. -
When: Saturday 7 February
Where: Griffith Park, Bankstown
What: Step into the Year of the Horse with high‑energy main stage entertainment, roaring Chinese dragon and lions, the buzzing Lunar Garden and appearances by the God and Goddess of Fortune. Plus, indulge in the food and drink stalls offering a selection of cuisines. -
When: Monday 16 February
Where: Lake Haven Library
What: Ages 5-7 are welcome to celebrate Lunar New Year with fun craft activities, including creating a scratch art lantern. -
When: Saturday 21 February
Where: Auburn Park
What: Auburn Park will come alive with music, dance, food, and festive spirit. Experience the joy and energy that make Lunar New Year so special.Cumberland Council Lunar New Year activities
-
When: Saturday 28 February
Where: Freedom Plaza, Cabramatta
What: Experience a vibrant celebration filled with cultural performances, traditional food, lion dances, and interactive activities that honour the diverse heritage of Lunar New Year and the empowering symbolism of the Horse. -
When: Saturday 21 February
Where: Hurstville Plaza
What: Join Sydney metro’s biggest Council-led Lunar New Year celebration, including live stage performances, roving acts, cooking demonstrations, lantern making workshops, and much more! -
When: Saturday 28 February
Where: Castle Hill Main Street, Old Northern Road
What: Indulge in the Hills Lunar Festival with vibrant performances and delicious Asian eats. -
When: Tuesday 10 February
Where: Hornsby Library
What: Participate in a lantern making workshop at Hornsby Library. -
When: Tuesday 17 February to Tuesday 3 March
Where: Various locations in Ashfield and Marrickville
What: Inner West Council is partnering with local community groups and artists for two weeks of cultural celebrations. Enjoy a range of traditional and contemporary music or take part in an interactive workshop by local artist Jayanto Tan. Experience stories, songs, and food, and learn to make your own clay art. -
When: 17 February to Monday 2 March
Where: Multiple locations
What: Join the popular Lunar New Year food market at St Ives Village Green and an array of cultural activities at the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, Gordon Library, and the Ku-ring-gai Art Centre. -
When: Friday 20 February
Where: Lane Cove Plaza and The Canopy
What: Pak Hok Kung Fu will perform their special lion dance along with the Ra Ra Baby Lions.When: Saturday 28 February
Where: Canberra Avenue, St Leonards
What: The inaugural St Leonards Lunar Laneways 2026 program, curated in partnership with the Korean Cultural Centre, will spotlight the traditions and contemporary energy of Korean culture through night markets and delicious food stalls, live performances including gugak music and K-pop, interactive workshops, cultural games, art installations including lanterns, light displays, and immersive public art. -
When: 13th to Sunday 15th February 2026
Where: Macquarie Mall, Liverpool
What: Lanterns and Lights will bring the sights, sounds and tastes of Asia to Macquarie Mall. Spend your evening surrounded by food vendors and performances from Korea, Vietnam, The Philippines, Malaysia, Laos, Thailand, Japan, China, Indonesia and Nepal. There will be live music, traditional dance, roving performers, giveaways and more. -
When: Wednesday 18 February to Thursday 19 February
Where: Riverside live at PHIVE, Parramatta Square
What: Celebrate the Year of the Horse with Lunar Legends Horsing Around! It is National Theatre of Parramatta’s third year partnering with Slanted Theatre to run this festival showcasing new Asian-Australian works. Over two nights, audiences will enjoy storytelling that spans generations and life experiences.City of Parramatta Lunar New Year activities – Horsing-around
When: Wednesday 25 February
Where: Western Terrace at PHIVE, Parramatta Square
What: Join Tea Craft for tea tasting sessions, learn to fly a horse kite inspired by Vietnamese kite traditions like diều sáo (whistling kites), enjoy classical and modern Okinawan music on the sanshin, and take home a red pocket memento using Filipino craft technique, pabalat. -
When: Saturday 21 February
Where: Meeks Street Plaza, Kingsford
What: Welcome the Year of the Fire Horse with lion dances, workshops, a Wishing Tree, and live DJs and performances. -
When: Saturday 28 February
Where: Eastwood Oval
What: This year’s festival will be expanding with KoreaTown activated along Railway Parade and Eastwood Oval. The event will feature amusement rides, market stalls, food trucks, cultural performances, fireworks and an incredible lion high pole performance. -
When: Wednesday 18 February
Where: Henley Road, Homebush West
What: Celebrate the Year of the Horse with a colourful traditional lion dance with firecrackers. -
When: Saturday 14 February
Where: Kirrawee Library
What: Join us as we celebrate Lunar New Year at the library featuring lion dances and live music, followed by craft for the kids. -
When: Tuesday 13 January to Sunday 1 March
Where: 9-13 Hay St, Haymarket
What: Celebrate Lunar New Year at Market City with a vibrant program of free events and activities including lion dance performances, workshops, giveaways, calligraphy, photo installations and authentic Asian dining. -
When: Saturday 7 February to Wednesday 25 February
Where: Waverley Library
What: Celebrate Lunar New Year with a range of crafts, songs, and bilingual stories. -
When: Saturday 14 February
Where: Willoughby City Library
What: Learn the symbol of the horse in Chinese calligraphy.Willoughby City Council Lunar New Year – Chinese Calligraphy
When: Saturday 21 February
Where: Victoria Ave, Chatswood
What: Head to The Concourse to enjoy two days of outdoor entertainment. From traditional Asian music to modern pop, relax in the atmosphere while enjoying some juicy dim sum from the market. -
When: Thursday 19 February
Where: Crown Street Mall
What: Lunar New Year at Crown St Markets. Enjoy free entertainment and your favourite street foods while enjoying live performances.
Is your council hosting a Lunar New Year event, but it isn’t listed? Email us with the details and we’ll add it to our page.
