New moon rising

Lunar New Year will light up the city from Queensbridge Square to Southgate, South Wharf and Docklands to Queen Victoria Market, with light installations, street performances, outdoor food stalls and acrobatic lion dances.

The Lunar New Year officially kicks in on 5 February but celebrations will begin from 2 February as the Chinese New Year Melbourne Festival will open officially at Queensbridge Square with Lion and Dragon dance performances, ladies in exquisite clothing from an array of ancient dynasties along with a wide variety of Chinese cultural activities.

Among the list of must-see events at this year’s Chinese New Year Melbourne Festival is the Dragon Boat Regatta at the Victoria Harbour Promenade Docklands, where members of the public can form teams to race authentic dragon boats. The public races will be followed by a second Dragon Boat Regatta run by Melbourne’s Dragon Boat Clubs.

With the Dai Loong Big Dragon as its centrepiece, Chinatown's Chinese New Year celebrates migration, cultural diversity and Melbourne’s historic and contemporary Asian community. The event line-up continues the tradition of the Dai Loong Big Dragon Parade on the first Sunday following the first day of the first lunar month, with a range of activities that reflect Melbourne’s multiculturalism and unique characteristics.

Crown Entertainment Complex is hosting its annual Hawker’s Bazaar from 8 to 10 February along the Crown Riverwalk. City dwellers can explore the offerings at the Hawker-style food marketwhile roving entertainers showcasing a range of incredible multicultural talent, including roving Cai Shen and Fu Lu Shou displays. Whilst there, visitors should also catch the spectacular fireworks display on 9 February at 9:45pm. The Atrium at Crown Towers will see the return of Zodiac Spectacular with a stunning display of larger-than-life, luminous sculptures while the roving lion dance team chases away evil spirits, every night from 1 to 10 February.

In a celebration of the Lunar New Year the National Gallery of Victoria presents a day of musical performances, workshops, tours of the NGV Collection, talks and food exploring Chinese art and culture on 9 February. Visitors can opt for a Chinese Art Curator’s tour, followed by a traditional paper cutting or couplets (‘Chun Lian’) illustration workshops then watch a performance by the Film School Collective.

Family fun can be had at the Immigration Museum with a full day of activities presented by local  cultural learning group Funese. Activities include shadow play performances, Chinese Zodiac soft clay making and blow painting workshops. Bookings essential

Those preferring something different can head to Sea Life Melbourne to watch a Dragon dance with a twist – underwater. From 5 to 7 February, this underwater Dragon dance will run at limited times – 11am and 2pm. Other Lunar New Year activities include Creature Talks in Mandarin and a chance to win Lucky Money - 288RMB per day.