Where to Celebrate Lunar New Year in Sydney 2024
From dumpling making to Yum Cha, there is plenty on in Sydney this Lunar New Year.
Lunar New Year is just around the corner and 2024 marks the Year of the Dragon, a symbol of power, nobility, honour, luck, and success. Strong vibes!
To help you celebrate this iconic sign in style, we've rounded up delicious, entertaining and fun-filled events to celebrate Lunar New Year in Sydney.
From bountiful banquets to hands-on activities, there's no shortage of ways to celebrate in 2024.
Indulge in Din Tai Fung's Iconic Dessert Buns
Din Tai Fung's themed dessert buns are always a Lunar New Year highlight and this year is no different. Swing by any of their restaurants between Saturday 3rd February and Saturday 24th February to get your hands on their ultra-cute chocolate sea salt dragon buns.
Saturday 3rd February to Saturday 24th February
Multiple locations
Lunar New Year Specials at Lilymu
Lilymu is easily one of our favourite restaurants in Paramatta and this year they are celebrating with some extra special dishes designed to share. Their wok-fried live lobster and mud crabs available with either house-made XO sauce or creamy mala sauce will be the stars of the show. A full-blood Wagyu mb5+ ribeye 800g is also up for grabs!
As a Lunar New Year gift, each guest will also receive a red pocket with a $20 dining voucher redeemable for future reservations.
Thursday 1st February to Sunday 11th February
3 Parramatta Square, 153 Macquarie Street, Parramatta
Swing by The Lucky Prawn for a Yum Cha Feast
Nothing beats a succulent Chinese meal and no one does it quite like The Lucky Prawn, located within iconic Sydney venue Hawkes Beer & Leisure Centre. There will be a limited-edition batch of rice lager available all weekend as well as yum cha and other Lucky Prawn favourites. Jin Wu Koon Lion Dancers will be performing all weekend as an added bonus!
Saturday 10th February to Sunday 11th February
8-12 Sydney Street, Marrickville
View the Lantern Display at Darling Square
Head to Darling Square, one of Sydney's most exciting dining precincts, for their annual display of New Year lanterns. Whilst you're there, indulge in a Lunar New Year special from one of the plentiful eateries. Dopa by Devon will be slinging spicy karaage donburi for $18 (and free fortune cookies on the 10th!). Finish off with one of Gelato Messina's Lunar New Year specials. There will also be lion dancing and performances taking place on Saturday 10 February at 6pm and 8pm and on Saturday 17 February at 6pm
Friday 9th February to Sunday 25th February
Darling Square, 35 Tumablong Boulevarde
Head to Darling Harbour for a Celebratory Fireworks Display
Nothing screams New Year like fireworks. Darling Harbour are putting on multiple shows to mark the special occasion so be sure to pop on down at least once.
Saturday 10th, 17th and 24th February from 9pm
Sunday 11th, 18th and 25th February from 9pm
Darling Harbour
Join in the Festivities at the Chinese Garden of Friendship
This gorgeous Sydney gem is celebrating with plenty of fun activities and we want in on all of them. On Saturday 10th February from 5:30pm to 8:30pm there will be a fab twilight garden party with jazz tunes and live displays from a master calligrapher. Year of the Dragon private readings are also available to book on Saturdays throughout Feb.
Pier Street, Darling Harbour
Sydney Lunar New Year Market
Head to Dixon Street to shop handmade goodies from local Asian-Australian artists and engage in a spot of entertainment this year at Sydney's Lunar New Year Market. There will be all sorts of sweet bits to purchase including ceramics of your zodiac sign, print and more on top of giveaways. A portion of funds generated will be directed towards Soul of Chinatown's Rice Fund initiative which supports elderly Asian-Australians.
Saturday 17th February, 10am to 3pm
1 Dixon St, Sydney
Celebrate the Year of The Wood Dragon with Johnnie Walker Blue Label
It's the year of The Wood Dragon and Johnnie Walker is kicking it off with something a little special. For one day only they'll be taking over Sydney icon Est, slinging Blue Label-infused cocktails and fusion fare from Chef Dang Hong, all whilst guests are able to participate in a traditional game of mahjong. There will be chilli truffled noodles with caviar, warm egg tart and rock lobster bao amongst other extravagant bites. As for cocktails, Johnnie Walker Blue Label will be paired with the likes of ginger, yuzu, chrysanthemum, apple and rose in ultra luxe combinations. Don't miss it!
Saturday 17th February, tickets available here
Level 1/252 George Street, Sydney
Score Some Fun Dining Deals at Sydney Place
Head in for a self-designed Lunar New Year Feast at Sydney Place. Plenty of retailers are offering exclusive discounts and bonuses to cover you off every day of the celebration period. Score a free sugar cane juice, Vietnamese coffee or pickle lemonade with any purchase over $15 at Eat Fuh, sip away on a limited-edition Year of the Dragon cocktail at Bourke & Ward or score a free serving of dumplings at BoBo Dumpling Bar with the purchase of any two menu items. Click here for the full list of specials.
Monday 5th February to Sunday 18th February
180 George Street, Sydney
Haymarket Street Festival
Kick off Lunar New Year with the ultimate street party. We're talking 25 market stalls packed with Asian cuisine and speciality treats, live entertainment, a 20m long traditional Chinese dragon and cultural performances. Sounds like the perfect night to us! Catch the full schedule here.
Saturday 10th February, 5pm to 10pm
Dixon Street, Chinatown and surrounds, Haymarket
Spice Temple's Lunar New Year Feast
This year Spice Temple is celebrating the Lunar New Year with the ultimate feast. The banquet will be on offer for 16 days, in celebration of the Year of the Dragon, and feature ingredients that are said to promote prosperity, happiness, peace, love and other aspects of good fortune. You can expect purse-shaped pipis, tea eggs and handmade noodles amongst others. We can't think of a better way to kick off the year.
$149 per person
Monday 5th February to Sunday 18th February
10 Bligh Street, Sydney
Luna Lu Dumpling Making Class
This Lunar New Year Luna Lu is giving you the chance to get hands-on with a dumpling-making class. Learn from the best as one of Luna Lu's executive chefs shows you how it's done - and lets you have a go! You'll get to feast on all of your dumplings and enjoy a glass of sparkling on arrival, too.
$100 per person
Saturday 10th February
Bays 4 & 5, 7-27 Circular Quay West, Campbells Cove, The Rocks
Head to Market City for Activities Galore
There is SO much happening in Market City this Lunar New Year that one visit might not be enough. Many of the interactive activities taking place across the festival period are free, too. There will be dragon dance performances, kids lion and dragon dance workshops, Chinese calligraphy workshops, traditional feasts and the opportunity to score one of 5000 lucky red envelopes. For timings and details click here.
Monday 17th February to Sunday 25th February
Market City, 13 Hay Street, Haymarket
Lunar New Year at Aria
Kick off the Lunar New Year with something a little special. This year Aria is going all out with a seven-course tasting menu. Executive Chef Tom Gorringe's one-off menu will feature prestigious traditional flavours with a signature Aria twist. Think southern rock lobster, xo & handmade noodles and Peking duck consommé, abalone, shiitake & coriander.
$350 per person
Saturday 10th February to Saturday 24th February
1 Macquarie Street, Sydney
If you loved this edit of where to celebrate Lunar New Year in Sydney and are looking for more cool things to do around be sure to take a peek at our weekly guide as well as our edit of iconic things to do around Sydney.
