Eight ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year at Darling Harbour

Where: Under the Pier Street Underpass
When: Sat Jan 29, 2.30-7.30pm

All rise for the boisterous Lunar Block Party on Saturday January 29, a huge, free afternoon of free dance battles, workshops and games at the Pier Street Underpass, adjacent to the Darling Square development. Expect lots of popping, locking, breaking, nu disco, hip hop, street jazz, K-pop and krumping as seasoned dancers fight it out, culminating in the evening’s Yin Yang Showdown Breaking Battle Finals. This year, there’ll be a freestyle football showcase by Red Bull performer Tommy Kentta, plus street dance lessons and a TikTok workshop, so you can put your best foot forward online. Just after a casual boogie? There’ll be DJs playing all day, a Just Dance activation area, and party games to get you on your feet.

Where: Tumbalong Park
When: Feb 4-5, 5-9pm

Ease into the warm Friday and Saturday evening with movies and mahjong matches at Lunar Nights down at Tumbalong Park. On Friday February 4 they’re screening family-favourite Kung Fu Panda and acclaimed drama The Farewell, while the following night you can catch comedy classic Shaolin Soccer and glitzy blockbuster Crazy Rich Asians. Relax on the grass with treats and drinks from local retailers while enjoying lunar-themed decorations, or challenge a friend to a game of mahjong while waiting for the movie to begin.

Where: Chinese Garden of Friendship
When: Jan 29-Feb 15 

All year round the Chinese Garden of Friendship is a beacon of culture, nature and tranquility. Over Lunar New Year weekends, its light will shine even brighter with a full program of delightful activities. Check their website to see when you can experience lion dancing​, musical performances (from the Institute for Australian and Chinese Arts and Culture), tiger-themed children’s crafts (online), zodiac readings​, tea ceremonie​s, watercolour painting workshops ($25pp). The Gardens by Lotus restaurant is hosting a special LNY banquet. In the evenings you can book Nature Illuminated, a new immersive show blending theatrical light, live strings and augmented reality. If you’re after a last-minute gift, consider giving a year of visits, events and special offers via a Friends of the Garden membership. 

Where: Darling Harbour
When: Sat Jan 29

Darling Harbour’s much-loved fireworks will return for one night only on Saturday January 29. It’s been a long time between sparkles, but the wait will be worth it with a fabulous display of red, gold and orange lighting up the night sky to herald the Year of the Tiger. The 9pm show will be soundtracked by a mashup of contemporary and classic Asian tracks – think K-pop bangers and Cantonese spy movie themes – while traditional firecrackers, LED lion dancing and pop-up performances entertain visitors on the ground.

Where: Darling Harbour
When: Jan 28-Feb 15 

Darling Harbour will be decked to the nines with colourful art for seeing and snapping. First, check out the towering Lunar New Year Gates gracing the ICC forecourt and Tumbalong Boulevard. Designed by Asian-Australian artist Tianli Zu, they feature bright motifs such as peonies symbolising beauty, magpies for happiness and coins for wealth, while ambient hanging lanterns glow warmly in the evenings. Over at the Chinese Garden of Friendship forecourt local artist Chris Yee has designed a lively graphic wall perfect for selfies titled 'LNY Day to Night' which depicts all 12 zodiac animals and modern interpretations of classic LNY ornaments. 

Where: Darling Harbour & Haymarket
When: Jan 29-Apr 29

During the LNY period there’ll be an explosion of exciting things to do in the precinct. On Saturday January 29, the streets of neighbouring Chinatown will transform into a festival ground called Lunar Lanes with cultural performances, carnival games, food trucks, lion dancing (including one lit up with LED lights) plus the display of a 600-lantern ‘curtain’ featuring a stunning Tiger design. 

Speaking of big cats, also launching is a new exhibition in Darling Square, Hello Kitty Town (Jan 29-Apr 29), which celebrates the beloved Sanrio character who has graced backpacks and notebooks of countless children throughout the decades. The show will feature artworks of the cute cat and her friends as interpreted by local and international artists, supported by plenty of photo moments and themed dishes at surrounding restaurants. 

Finally, on Saturday February 5 more than 1,000 dragon boat racers are set to churn up the waters of Cockle Bay in pursuit of victory. The races will commence with a Taoist eye-dotting ceremony, when red paint is dabbed onto the eyes of each boat’s figurehead to ‘awaken the dragon’.

Where: Darling Harbour & Haymarket 

This Lunar New Year, feast with intention at one of Darling Harbour’s many Asian restaurants. Seeking greater fortune? Dumplings symbolise prosperity (their shape resembles ancient Chinese coins), so put yourself in good stead with crisp gyoza at Harajuku Gyoza Beer Stadium, juicy xiao long bao at Lilong or fresh dim sum at the Gardens by Lotus. Meanwhile, noodles represent longevity – a perfect excuse to slurp ramen at Hakatatamon, laksa at Chinta Ria or mi goreng at Kusuka. If you’re after the traditional lavish seafood banquet instead, head straight to XOPP where saucy pipis, steamed fish and live lobster await.

Reckon it’s your lucky year? Enter Darling Harbour’s bountiful LNY competition, which will see them giving away two lucky red envelopes filled with prizes including a night’s stay at the new Aiden Darling Harbour; dining vouchers at XOPP and the Gardens by Lotus, and Annual Family Passes to the Chinese Garden of Friendship. To enter, head to their Facebook and Instagram pages.