Celebrate the Year of the Snake with food and other festivities around town
This time around, Lunar New Year falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and it's a celebration for many cultures represented in Sydney, including the city's Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Korean communities. It's traditionally celebrated through food, art, festivities and generally getting together with friends and family.
February 17 marks the end of the Year of the Snake – a time of planning, internal reflection and shedding old habits – and the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse. It’s the seventh sign in the Chinese zodiac, associated with intense energy, freedom, ambition and passion.
We've picked out some of the very best ways to harness horse energy and charm your way into the new lunar year in Sydney – we'll be adding to this list as we near the date, so check back with us when you need more activity inspo. Giddy up!
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No Lunar New Year celebration is complete without a feast, and there are many auspicious and symbolic dishes that are a must on any holiday menu: noodles for longevity, whole fish for prosperity, rice cakes for advancement to new heights, and more. Our guide to Sydney's best Chinese restaurants is a good place to start – many of them are offering special menus during this festive period.
From lion dancing to dragon boat races and Chinese zodiac readings, there is so much happening at Darling Harbour for Lunar New Year, kicking off on February 17. Don’t miss the one-night-only party at the Chinese Garden of Friendship, complete with traditional festive games and live music on Friday, February 20.
Deep in the centre of Haymarket, Market City is coming to life with interactive experiences to usher in the Year of the Horse. From now until February 28, enjoy golden horse installations, great giveaways, high poles performances, traditional calligraphy art and more. After, head to one of Level Three's excellent restaurants for a magnificent Asian feast.
Celebrate the Year of the Horse at Chinese-Ausralian eatery, Lucry Prawn, found inside Marrickville brewery The Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre. Across the festive period, Lucky Prawn will be serving a special banquet menu featuring auspicious hits like steamed scallop with ginger shallot, XO pippies and long life crab noodles, as well as Lucky Prawn legends, prawn toast and deep fried Viennetta. The Jin Wu Koon Lion Dancers will return on February 15 at 2pm with drums, soaring energy and good luck for the year ahead.
Haymarket’s street festival, Sydney Lunar Streets, returns this year. The streets around Chinatown and Thai Town will be kicked into another gear with lion dances, DJs, street food, markets and both traditional and contemporary performances. Check out the fire horse installation rising up over Dixon Street, and stroll under the canopy of lanterns on Hay Street. Sydney Lunar Streets is going down on Saturday, February 14, from 5pm.
Sydney’s second CBD will transform into a creative hub for the Lunar New Year, playing host to art installations, live entertainment, cultural workshops and roving performances to welcome in the Year of the Horse. If you’re keen to get involved, Chinese horoscope readings, calligraphy workshops and tea ceremonies will be popping up throughout the city. To keep you sustained through your creative endeavours, choose from street food stalls offering everything from noodles to mochi donuts. The celebrations are being held on Friday, February 20, and Saturday, February 21. Learn more and plan your visit over here.
From February 14 until March 1, Darling Square will transform into a horse-inspired wonderland – complete with live performances, food and drink pop-ups and an immersive light installation formed from hundreds of traditional New Year lanterns. What's more, a free toy pony ride will also be on offer with any spend at Darling Square.
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