Celebrating Chinese New Year in Melbourne

I’ve somehow been back in Melbourne for over three weeks now. Time has honestly passed by in a blur of rental inspections and work. But I have tried to get out and about, to make the most of the lovely summer weather Melbourne has been experiencing.

So far this has included brunch and lunch dates with friends, visiting St Kilda for its free festival (and to see the penguins), and checking out the Chinese New Year celebrations in the city. There are so many events happening to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Here are some of my favourite photos from my walk through Melbourne city last weekend.

MELBOURNE CENTRAL

First stop was a late lunch at Melbourne Central. I had heard about The Lucky Cat Room, which was literally a pop-up filled with hundreds of lucky cats waving at you. The tagline: “waving in prosperity since 1852.” There were props for people to use, and the organisers were encouraging people to take the most epic Lunar New Year Boomerangs ever. I’m hoping the cats waved some prosperity and wealth into my life for 2018 (Melbourne real estate is expensive).

DFO SOUTH WHARF

Although I didn’t venture there, DFO South Wharf has events happening to celebrate Chinese New Year until the beginning of March. There’s a photo booth where people can take photos to win prizes. Some retailers are also offering special deals, plus there are fortune cookies and performances.

CHINATOWN

You can’t celebrate Chinese New Year in Melbourne without visiting Chinatown. There were a lot of people crowded in Little Bourke Street when I visited on Sunday afternoon. There was also an impromptu performance happening. Check out a new restaurant, visit the museum or just take some photos in Chinatown.

MELBOURNE STAR

Until 2nd March, people can get 40% off single general admission tickets for adults and children. That’s a deal, guys. Use the code LUNARNY40 when purchasing tickets to get the discount.

QUEENSBRIDGE SQUARE

I walked from Chinatown to Queensbridge Square in Southbank, which isn’t so horrible when the sun is shining. There’s plenty happening in the square, including traditional performances, cooking demonstrations and market stalls. In one of the below photos, you can see The Guide Dogs Victoria stall. They were selling guide dog toys dressed in traditional Chinese outfits. It was as cute as it sounds. There were also plenty of food stalls. The Chinese New Year celebrations at Queensbridge Square are fortunately happening this weekend too.

CROWN

Continue on from Queensbridge Square, my final destination was Crown, which is celebrating Chinese New Year until 5th March. They have the Zodiac Spectacular inside The Atrium at Crown Towers, which is a “vibrant display featuring the dog lantern.” Crown is also doing special Lunar Dining, Lucky giveaways, and special retail offers.

Crown’s famous flame towers have been transformed into fire-breathing dragons too. The fire show occurs every day and every 30 minutes, from 8pm to 12 am. But the dragons will only be there until Tuesday 27th February.

MORE CHINESE NEW YEAR EVENTS

If this isn’t enough, here are some other events for Chinese New Year you can still catch this week:

• Melbourne Zoo and Sea Life Aquarium are both celebrating Chinese New Year in different ways.

• There’s a Chinese New Year Gala Concert happening in St Kilda on 28th February.

• On 3rd March, there is a performance at Malthouse Theatre called Pining Strings, Lingering Harmony.

Spending the afternoon walking around the city checking out these events made me realise that I really am happy to be back in Melbourne. Even if this first month has been a little stressful. There’s just nowhere else I want to live in Australia.

Have you been to any Chinese New Year events in your city?

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