Chinese New Year

words by josh ives

Unlike the westerns world measly one night only celebration on the 31^st of December, the Chinese really know what’s up when it comes to celebrating a new lunar year! CNN estimates that all of China – yeah, all 1.36 billion – are planning on throwing caution to the wind and getting ready for seven days of party madness with a forecasted spend of USD$100 billion. At that rate, they could pay off America’s national deficit in a little over a month!

The great news is that the Rooster themed New Year is bursting through our streets in conjunction with the Sydney Festival, making the week even more spectacular – couple that with the fact that our little SydFest turns 21 this year means you’re pretty much obligated to make the most of it!

With that being said, let’s get into what you can expect in your fortune cookie this year:

Lunar Markets:
Over 11 gloriously lit nights, get ready to take Chinatown to the next level with the amazingly sumptuous Lunar Markets breathing new life into Pyrmont Bay Park. Think hawker street food stalls stretched as far as you can see enticing you with the sweet and sour aroma of the best cuisine of China, Philippines, Thailand, Korea and Japan have to offer. Order a little of everything with your mates or special someone and give your Gram followers something to really get jealous about. Make sure to grab something sweet afterwards from your good friends at N2 Gelato to finish the night with a bang!

Painting The Town Red
Quite literally, actually. In celebration of the new lunar year, Sydney Festival, in partnership with Westpac, will cast an auspiciously red glow over some of Sydney’s most famous landmarks. In Chinese culture, the colour red symbolises good fortune and joy, so what better way to ring in the new year – family, feel good vibes and a light show that rivals Vivid! Pro QTip: whilst you’re trekking around Circular Quay, make sure to visit the Westpac Wall of Fortune – a digitally interactive wall that reveals your fortune for the year when you snap a photo of it!

Westpac Lunar Lantern Hub:
Get ready to step into another world as you find yourself beneath a ceiling of Chinese Lunar lanterns! Wander through the centre under the cool musical guidance of DJ’s such as Tikki Tembo, Beth Yen, Sasha Moon and CMAN. Enjoy a cocktail or three from Taylor’s pop-up bar filled with sardine tins with some cool cat spirit slingers. Need a feed? Indulge yourself with some deliciously tangy Peking duck fries from Bao Stop’s or relax with a great game of Mahjong at The Star’s Fortune Mahjong Garden where there are some great prizes to be nabbed for the tenacious among you. Or don’t. Just relax and take a walk.

Whatever floats your boat, there’s something for everyone. Come on down and get amongst it as you help ring in the year of the Red Rooster!

Chinese New Year statues. #sydney #australia #adamandflozzinoz #rabbit #statue #display #chinesenewyear #chinesenewyearsydney

A post shared by @no.longer.in.use1992 on Feb 5, 2016 at 6:27pm PST