From 27 January to 12 February, children of all ages can share in the wonder of Lunar New Year traditions and celebrations, while learning about the Chinese zodiac and animals.
“With Sydney traditions like the Lunar Lanterns, Dragon Boat Races and more than 80 associated events, there’s something for everyone with plenty for the kids in this year’s program,” the Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
Choosing from a range of free and ticketed events, kids can decorate a life-sized rickshaw, learn lion dance movement, make a Rooster, share in bilingual storytime and even see the Lunar New Year night sky through the telescope at Sydney Observatory.
Chinese New Year Festival highlights for children include:
Lunar Lanterns
When: 27 Jan–12 Feb
Where: From the Sydney Opera House along Circular Quay to Dawes Point, with an additional rooster lantern in Chinatown.
What: Bring the kids to see 12 enormous and spectacular zodiac animal lanterns ranging in sizes up to 10 metres in height on the ultimate lantern trail at Circular Quay. The lanterns represent the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals, including new rooster, pig, rat and snake lanterns that will delight and amaze the whole family.
Kids can:
• sound the ‘gong’ belly of one of five pentatonic roosters in Chinatown
• be enchanted by the two 9-metre high vibrantly coloured roosters with 8-metre wingspans
engaged in a dance at the Sydney Opera House
• marvel at a 23-metre long gold glistening snake
• delight in the magical celestial Ox standing eight metres tall, comprising more than 700 illuminated giant mahjong tiles
• climb aboard the colourful glowing chariot being pulled by four 3.5-metre high horses, and
• dance about with the 7.5-metre high Happy Tiger
• play amongst 8 colourful 2.5-metre tall illuminated rabbits doing Tai Chi at Dawes Point
sydneychinesenewyear.com
Cost: Free
Community Performances
When: 27 Jan–12 Feb (Friday and Saturday evenings)
Where: Customs House Square forecourt and Martin Place.
What: Marvel at the wonderful pop-up style performances by approximately 40 groups from Sydney’s Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese communities. More than 1,000 performers will bring the city’s streets to life with hip hop, children’s performances, folk dance, martial arts and traditional dance performances.
sydneychinesenewyear.com
Cost: Free
Traditional Chinatown celebrations
When: 27 Jan–12 Feb (various dates/times)
Where: Dixon Street Mall, Chinatown
What: For 17 days, Chinatown will come alive with Lion Dance, crackers and performances from the 2017 International delegations from Sichuan and Shaanxi in China.
sydneychinesenewyear.com
Cost: Free
China in Sydney performances
When: 27 Jan–12 Feb (various dates/times)
Where: Dixon Street Mall, Chinatown
What: Be amazed by the ancient, unique art of ‘Face Changing’ where brightly dressed actors change more than 10 dramatic masks in less than 20 seconds. By raising the hand, swinging a sleeve or tossing the head, an actor uses different masks to show different emotions. Audiences will be delighted by the exquisite skills of the Chuanbei Big Puppet Show, featuring intricately handcrafted, large scale puppets that look like people and dance like fairies, as well as a surprising, fire-spitting puppet.
sydneychinesenewyear.com
Cost: Free
China in Sydney workshops
When: Sunday 5 February 4pm – 7pm
Where: Customs House Forecourt
What: Hands-on workshops and demonstrations lead by artists from Sichuan province (2017 international delegation from China). Children will delight in learning the ancient art techniques of sugar painting, lantern making, dough modelling, shadow puppet making and New Year painting.
sydneychinesenewyear.com
Cost: Free
Drop in and make: Year of the Rooster
When: 29 Jan, 5 and 12 Feb 2017 – 11am–4pm.
Where: Art Gallery of NSW, Art gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney.
What: Get creative and make your own Rooster to celebrate the Lunar New Year. For children with their parents or carers. All materials and instructions provided.
artgallery.nsw.gov.au
Cost: Free
Dragon Boat Races
When: 11 and 12 February
Where: Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour
What: Kids and adults alike are invited to watch the thrilling races as flamboyantly decorated 12-metre-long boats compete in the annual Dragon Boat Races. Roving entertainment throughout the day.
sydneychinesenewyear.com
Cost: Free.
(supplied by City of Sydney)
Rickshaw Tales: Family Program
When: 4 Feb and 5 Feb at 12.30pm – 3.30pm.
Where: Chinese Garden of Friendship, Darling Harbour
What: In partnership with 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art – decorate a life-sized rickshaw, go on an artist-led story walk and create a story booklet.
darlingharbour.com
Cost: Free
The Plucky Rooster Workshop
When: 4 February, 1–2pm and 2.30–3.30pm.
Where: Chinese Garden of Friendship, Darling Harbour
What: Create playful rooster-inspired paper crafts in a hands-on workshop conducted by award-winning designers Make Creative, then take your artworks home to enjoy. Make Creative are the award-winning designers of The Emperor’s Quest.
darlingharbour.com
Cost: Free
Monkey Tales in the Garden presented by Monkey Baa Theatre
When: 3, 4 and 5 February, 6pm and 7.30pm.
Where: Chinese Garden of Friendship, Darling Harbour
What: Award winning Monkey Baa Theatre Company will take families on a journey around the Chinese Garden with a hilarious fable celebrating the playful monkey and fabulous, flamboyant rooster. This fast-paced site-specific work promises to amuse and delight. For children 8 – 12 years.
darlingharbour.com
Cost: $20 adult $10 child
Bilingual storytelling/lion dance and movement workshop
When: 6 Feb, 11am–11.45, Green Square Library
7 Feb, 11am–11.45 am, Ultimo Community Centre
7 Feb, 1.30pm–2.15pm, Glebe Library
Where: Green Square Library, Ultimo Community Centre and Glebe Library
What: Celebrate Chinese New Year with bilingual storytime in Mandarin and English – a unique opportunity to meet the Chinese lion and learn some of the lion’s moves.
cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/explore/libraries
Cost: Free
Row, Row Regattas! Family Fun Day
When: Sunday 5 Feb – 11am–4pm.
Where: Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour.
What: Celebrate the traditions of dragon boat racing and regattas at the Australian National Maritime Museum family fun day featuring lively performances, lion dancing, face painting, dress ups, creative crafts and spectacular on-water displays.
anmm.gov.au/familyfun
Cost: $8.50 child, $7 adult or included in any paid museum admission. Museum members free.
Make your own LED Chinese Lantern
When: Saturday 4 Feb – 10.30am-12.00pm and 2.00pm – 3.30pm.
Where: Kings Cross Library, Potts Point.
What: Kids 12+ can learn to make a Chinese lamp shade from a skilled artist plus learn basic electronics to light up the creation. All materials and equipment provided. All skill levels are welcome. For children 12+ years accompanied their carers.
cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/explore/libraries
Cost: Free.
For further information visit Post and follow the conversation using #CNYSYD
(source: City of Sydney)
