Chinese New Year to emblazon the city

CBD locals rejoice! The Chinese New Year Melbourne Festival will soon welcome in the Lunar New Year in 2020. 

For 16 days from January 24 to February 9, the city will erupt with colour and excitement as some our most treasured local landmarks, such as the Immigration Museum and Queen Victoria Market, host spectacular events.

The celebrations will officially open at Queensbridge Square in Southbank on January 24 to celebrate the Year of the Rat with dazzling performances, exquisite clothing from an array of ancient dynasties, traditional Chinese cuisine, along with light show performances and a range of Chinese cultural activities for all ages. 

The Dragon Boat Regatta at Victoria Harbour in Docklands is a must-see spectacle at this year’s festival, where locals can form teams to race authentic dragon boats, followed by a competitive Dragon Boat Regatta run by Dragon Boat Victoria. 

Queensbridge Square will feature parading traditional cultural performances, family activities and workshops, food stores and more on Saturday, January 25 and Sunday, January 26. Additional activities will include lion dances, a special dinner for international students, family days at various sites across the city, Chinese costume shows, stilt walking displays and opera performances.