Sydney Chinese New Year Festival 2012. Find out more about the traditional festival and the celebrations being held in Sydney.
What is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year is the most important festival in the Chinese calendar. The new year starts on the first day of the Chinese calendar, usually in February, and celebrations run over 15 days. During this time people wear red, symbolising fire, which drives away evil. The Chinese New Year festival ends with a traditional lantern festival, where participants carry lanterns under the light of a full moon. The dragon dance is a highlight, symbolising power and dignity through the movement of a dragon stretching 30 metres long.
Sydney Chinese New Year 2012
2012 is the Year of the Dragon and Sydney’s Chinese New Year celebrations will take place from Friday 20 January to Sunday 5 February 2012. The festival includes more than 40 events including exhibitions, performances, film, food and more. Highlights of the Chinese New Year festival in Sydney include the Chinese New Year Markets, Chinese New Year Twilight Parade and Dragon Boat Races.
Sydney’s Chinese New Year festival takes place in Chinatown, in the Haymarket area of the city’s CBD.
Festival Launch
The Sydney Chinese New Year Festival Launch will be held in Belmore Park on 20th January 2012. Festivities begin from 6.00pm where Belmore Park becomes a feast of flavours and colours as the Lunar New Year celebrations begin with a free launch at the Chinese New Year Markets.
A traditional ceremony brings lions and dragons to life, firecrackers to scare away previous year’s misfortunes complete with plenty of sparkle and loud bands. International performers provide live entertainment on stage. There will be spicy Sichuan food from visiting Chengdu delegation. From 8.00pm the SBS PopAsia crew will join the stage so stick around after the launch! Download the Sydney Chinese New Year 2012 program.
For more information on the Sydney Chinese New Year Festival 2012, visit the official website.
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