Where to Celebrate Lunar New Year in Sydney 2026
From lion dances to Yum Cha, there is plenty on in Sydney this Lunar New Year.
Lunar New Year is almost here, and 2026 welcomes the Year of the Horse — a symbol of energy, strength and forward momentum. Big, bold and full of good fortune, this is a year made for celebrating.
From lantern-lit feasts and festival nights to immersive cultural events and hands-on workshops, Sydney is pulling out all the stops. Whether you’re chasing bountiful banquets or vibrant street celebrations, we’ve rounded up the best ways to ring in Lunar New Year in style.
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. You can also enjoy a variety of lion dances and cultural performances, mahjong tables and markets.
February 14th-21st
Darling Square, 35 Tumablong Boulevarde
Indulge in High Tea Under Capella’s Blooming Ceiling
Celebrate The Year of The Horse with Capella‘s limited-edition afternoon tea, curated by Executive Chef Gabriele Taddeucci and Executive Pastry Chef Travin de Hoedt. You’re set to feast on a selection of delicious, oriental-accented sweet and savoury delights, complete with a glass of Saicho Jasmine Sparkling Tea.
This year, the esteemed hotel has partnered with luxury Australian-Chinese designer, LEO LIN. This has come to life in a series of activations, from a capsule collection to a limited-edition mahjong set, which guests are able to explore and purchase. Guests who book directly will receive an exclusive LEO LIN Luxury Pocket Square & Scarf Set.
$125 per person ($25 champagne upgrade available)
February 6th – March 3rd, 12:30pm to 4pm
24 Loftus Street, Sydney
Soak up the Four Day Festivities at Felons Barrel Room
Felons Barrel Room is ringing in the Year of the Fire Horse with a vibrant four-day Lunar New Year celebration on Manly Wharf. Expect a waterfront banquet, traditional lion dances, Vietnamese-inspired feasts and festive touches throughout the venue. From a one-night-only shared dinner to family-friendly daytime festivities, it’s a joyful way to welcome the year ahead by the water.
February 19th – 22nd
Lion Dancing: February 19th at 7:30pm and February 22nd at 1:45pm
Lunar New Year Feast: Thursday 19 February, $88pp. Purchase here
Felons Barrel Room, East Esplanade, Manly Wharf
Lunar New Year at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney
Celebrations for The Year of The Horse are in full swing at The Fullerton Sydney with a range of dining experiences. From an afternoon tea to a generous lunch plate selection, it’s a joyous occasion not to be missed. The lunch includes dishes such as prawn dumplings, honey glazed barbequed pork and Oolong tea cake while the tea includes both sweet and savoury bites ranging from duck bao sliders to black sesame scones.
Lunar New Year dining offers are available at The Place, Fullerton Hotel Sydney. You can make a booking, here.
Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea starts at $78 per person. Available February 1st – 28th from 12pm – 4pm. You can make a booking, here.
The Fullerton Hotel, Sydney
Experience a One-Off Lunar Feast at Luke Nguyen’s Fat Noodle
This Lunar New Year feast is a combination of fine dining and storytelling, coming together in an array of delicious dishes. You’ll be greeted with a Sparkling kalamansi lemonade on arrival before digging in to a six-course menu curated with each dish representing a different virtue. Think Atlantic salmon sashimi, steamed Blue Spotted Coral Trout and Vietnamese coffee flan.
$168 per person, bookings can be made here
February 25th and 27th
The Star, 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont
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. For $78pp, guests can enjoy a special banquet menu, featuring the likes of prawn toast (duh), steamed scallops, crab noodles, xo pippies and deep-fried viennetta ice cream.
On top of its usual Yum Cha on the first Sunday of each month, the venue will also host a special Year of the Horse edition on February 15th where the famous Jin Wu Koon Lion Dancers will dazzle diners as they enjoy their dumplings, alongside Lucky Prawn Yum Cha favourites and the roaming tinnie trolley.
February 15th – 22nd
8-12 Sydney Street, Marrickville
Ring in the Year of the Horse at Lana
Dinner at Lana is always a pleasure but this menu is even more special. Executive Chef Alex Wong is joined by guest chef Mimi Wong to curate a four-course shared menu inspired by Cantonese tradition and memories shaped between Sydney and Hong Kong. Expect Lana’s signature Italian-Asian style with a notable Chinese twist, with dishes designed for sharing.
Tickets are $139pp with limited seats. Purchase here.
February 17th.
5-7 Young Street, Sydney
Head to Darling Harbour for a Celebratory Fireworks Display
Nothing screams New Year like fireworks. Darling Harbour are putting on a fireworks display every Saturday at 9pm, so be sure to pop on down at least once. Across the dates, there’s also a range of community events like mahjong, dragon boat racing and lion dancing.
Full details here.
February 17th – March 1st.
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. From live music events on Saturdays to zodiac readings and brush painting demonstrations, this really feels like the place to soak up all the cultural of this wonderful time. There’s also a really cute, kid-friendly workshop on both Saturdays where little ones can craft their own miniature horse.
Full details here.
February 17th – March 1st.
Pier Street, Darling Harbour
Haymarket Street Festival
Celebrate Lunar New Year with the ultimate street party. We’re talking market stalls packed with Asian cuisine and specialty treats, live entertainment, and cultural performances. Sounds like the perfect night to us! Catch the full schedule here.
February 14th to 21st.
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. Sydney’s banquet honours the season with a vibrant Pink Snapper Yu Sheng, seafood dumplings and pipies for good fortune, and Coral Trout with long-life noodles for longevity. Purchase tickets here.
$159 per person
February 9th – March 3rd.
10 Bligh Street, Sydney
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 high pole shows, roaming lion dances and store blessings, lion dance workshops, feasts and artistic installations. For timings and details click here.
January 13th – February 28th.
Market City, 13 Hay Street, Haymarket
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.