Join in on the celebrations for the Year of The Rat by taking part in the Chinese New Year Melbourne Festival as it welcomes in the Lunar New Year in 2020.
For 16 days from January 24th to February 9th, the city will explode with colour and activity across its iconic locations such as the Melbourne Museum, Queen Victoria Market, Queensbridge Square, and the Docklands.
Officially kicking off at Queensbridge Square on January 24th to celebrate the Year of the Rat with performances, exquisite clothing from an array of ancient dynasties, 13 traditional food stalls, and a light show.
The Dragon Boat Regatta at Victoria Harbour Promenade Docklands is a must-see spectacle at this year’s festival, where members of the public can form teams to race authentic dragon boats. The public races will be followed by a competitive Dragon Boat Regatta run by Dragon Boat Victoria, attracting teams from Mildura to Mount Beauty and everywhere in between.
Queensbridge Square will burst with excitement, parading traditional cultural performances, family activities and workshops, thirteen delicious pop-up food stores and more from Friday January 24th to Sunday January 26th. Additional activities 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.
The Chinese New Year Melbourne Festival acknowledges the support of its principal partner, City of Melbourne, Major Partner, The Victorian Multicultural Commission, as well as the support of Museums Victoria, Queen Victoria Market, The State of Victoria and the Federation of Chinese Associations.
MORE DETAILS OF WHAT’S ON AND WHERE
Chinese New Year at Queensbridge Square
The Official Opening of the 2020 Chinese New Year Melbourne Festival
Date: Friday 24.01.20
Time: 17:00 – 00:30
Location: Queensbridge Square – 3 Queensbridge St, Southbank VIC 3006
Queensbridge Lunar New Year’s Day
Date: Saturday 25.01.20
Time: 10:00 – 22:00
Location: 3 Queensbridge St, Southbank VIC 3006
Day program: 10:00 – 18:00
New Year’s Day celebrations will take over Queensbridge Square with children’s activities and workshops to keep the whole family entertained or hours! Learn how to play traditional Chinese instruments, Chinese checkers, and get a photo with Caishen, the god of wealth and fortune. The square will once again be bursting with fragrant foods as food stalls envelope the space. A fantastic day for all ages!
Evening program: 18:00 – 22:00
As the suns sets across Melbourne’s skyline, Queensbridge Square will come to life with an enchanting lighting display and magnificent cultural performances that is sure to dazzle visitors big and small. An array of delicious foods will be on offer to celebrate the new year in true Melbourne style – an occasion that is not to be missed!
Queensbridge CNY Family Day
Date: Sunday 26.01.20
Time: 10:00 – 23:00
Location: Queensbridge Square – 3 Queensbridge St, Southbank VIC 3006
Day Program: 10:00 – 18:00 and Evening program: 18:00 – 23:00
Queensbridge Square will once again come alive with children’s activities and workshops to keep the whole family entertained for hours! A treat for the sense as delightful smells fill the air and vivid colours fill the sky and the lighting display comes to life! Children’s activities, and cultural performances will ensure that the whole family is entertained filled with laughter.
Chinese New Year in the Heart of Melbourne
International Student Night at Multicultural Hub
Date: Sunday 09.02.20
Time: 18:30 – 23:00
Location: Multicultural Hub – 506 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.
Chinese New Year at Queen Victoria Market
Queen Victoria Market Family Day
Date: Saturday 25.01.20
Time: 11:00 – 13:00
Location: Queen Victoria Market
Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market will come to life with festive food, music and performances in celebration of this Lunar New Year. Alongside delicious food stalls, visitors will enjoy art and craft workshops, cultural performances including Lion Dance.
Chinese New Year at Melbourne Museum
Melbourne Museum Family Weekend
Date: Saturday 08.02.20 and Sunday 09.02.20
Time: 10:00 – 14:00
Location: Melbourne Museum – 11 Nicholson St, Carlton VIC 3053
Head down to the iconic Melbourne Museum for a day of family fun and entertainment. Children and parents alike will enjoy face painting, cultural music and performances and a traditional Chinese zodiac display. A colourful day not to be missed to enjoy in the final days of the summer school holidays.
Chinese New Year at Docklands
District Docklands Celebration
Date: Saturday 08.02.20 and Sunday 09.02.20
Time: 11:00 – 19:30
Location: District Docklands
Celebrate the new year in style at District Docklands! Children’s activities, food stalls and vibrant cultural performances will envelop the district and are sure to dazzle visitors big and small!
Social Dragon Boat Regatta – Community Day
Date: Saturday 08.02.20
Time: 08:00 – 17:00
Location: Harbour Town Docklands
Club Dragon Boat Regatta – Club Day
Date: Sunday 09.02.20
Time: 08:00 – 17:00
Location: Harbour Town Dockland
