Sydney Lunar Festival

With a bigger than ever Sydney Lunar Streets, 12 illuminated lanterns, lunar feasts, dragon boat racing, lion dancing and colourful banner galleries, festival-goers are spoilt for choice.

The City of Sydney has overseen the festival's programming for 29 years and it continues to be one of the largest outside Asia.

"From street parties to cultural performances to incredible art that's free and outdoors, our celebration of Asian cultures has something for everyone on every budget," Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO said.

"Last year, nearly half of our attendees came from backgrounds that don't traditionally observe Lunar New Year, showing how this event unites our communities and people embrace Sydney's incredible diversity."

"People born in the Year of the Snake are believed to embody wisdom and creativity, with the snake symbolising transformation.

"That's exactly what people are experiencing on Dixon Street, as we continue our $44 million rejuvenation of this key area, bringing it back to its former glory."

Sydney Lunar Festival runs from 29 January to 16 February, with program highlights including:

• Sydney Lunar Streets, 1 February 5pm-10pm

The first major event of the festival. Expect mouthwatering food along with traditional and contemporary cultural performances featuring the always popular lion dancing. This event has become so popular, it has been expanded with road closures on Ultimo Road and Thomas, Sussex and Harbour streets to accommodate more Haymarket businesses and growing audiences.

• Lunar Lanterns

Illuminated zodiac artworks designed by Erika Zhu snake their way along George Street, Haymarket showcasing the story of how 12 animals competed to come first in the Great Race.

• Lion dancing

Vibrant and colourful performances come to the streets during the festival.

Street performances in Haymarket, Thaitown and Darling Quarter 

Free pop-up cultural entertainment every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6pm.

• Lunar Spectacular, 8 February 2pm and 5pm

Free event at Sydney Town Hall celebrating Chinese, Korean, Thai, Malaysian and Vietnamese cultures through music and dance.

• Dragon Boat Festival, 7-9 February

As many as 3,500 paddlers take over Cockle Bay with dragon boats churning through the water. Enjoy food, performances and family-friendly events on the shore, presented by Dragon Boats NSW.

• Banner galleries

The work of 8 visionary local artists adorn city centre streets.

• Lunar Gateways

Traditional gateways inspired by Chinese, Korean, Thai and Vietnamese cultures installed in Haymarket and Thaitown.

• Snakes on a light rail

An awe-inspiring artwork, featuring an original design by Chrissy Lau, rides 5 carriages of the light rail throughout the festival.

• Korean dancefloor

An open invitation for everyone to show off their best moves in Darling Quarter.

• Great snakes game days, 15 and 16 February

Fun for families during the final festival weekend with an oversized snakes and ladders game designed by Andrew Yee, as well as Giant Jenga and Connect 4.

Throughout the festival, Dixon Street will have a family of wooden snakes greeting people as they enter Chinatown. The red and yellow 2.5m tall installation includes a baby snake sure to prove popular with children.

Selected from more than 1,400 entries, 24 snake drawings created by young artists aged between 6 and 12 will be on display in Haymarket.

Associated events include art exhibitions, performances, food and drink offerings, talks, seminars, tours and workshops put on by a variety of organisations and businesses.

Visit sydneylunarfestival.com for more information.

The City of Sydney's festival charity partner is Settlement Services International (SSI), supporting individuals, families and communities from diverse backgrounds in settlement, employment, education, health and social wellbeing.