HAPPY NEW YEAR! AGAIN!

One of the greatest things about Sydney is the diversity of culture that thrives across the city. Not only does it allow us to experience the world at large on our very own doorstep but it also means that we have a reason to celebrate something nearly every weekend. One of our particular favourite celebrations is of course Chinese New Year and this one is looking to be huge. And being the Year of the Horse you would expect nothing less, right?

This coming Sunday, February 2, George Street will host the famous Chinese New Year Parade, leading from Sydney Town Hall down to Chinatown in Haymarket. Floats, musicians and dancers will take over the streets in a riot of colour and sound to traditionally bring in the new year and banish the ghosts of the old.

The parade officially starts at 8pm but there will be plenty of pre-parade entertainment with prancing ponies ready to burst out of the starting gates and in the midst of it all, a giant Horse waits…

Stunning projections from The Electric Canvas light up the facades of the city buildings, and the spirit of the Horse will come alive, surrounded by ponies, dancing children and the Lucky Children of the Four Seasons, each symbolising harvest and prosperity as shown on Hu Ming’s colourful Chinese New Year artwork.

Rocking horses bring back memories of childhood tales and games, a brilliantly lit carousel recalls carnivals and of course there’s a celebration of Hong Kong’s famous Happy Valley Racecourse, as well as plenty of jockeys on bikes, and dancing chess knights. There are floats from our local Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese communities, with hip hop, martial arts, singing and more. You’ll gasp at the splendour of Longma, a winged horse with dragon scales, and the spectacular Golden River Dancers. And finally, the stunning Electric Horse is a brilliantly lit closure to an unforgettable night’s entertainment.

Fireworks will be held after the parade down in Cockle Bay Wharf.

For more information about the festivities, and other events, head to the official website here.