The Best Things to Eat, See and Do During Lunar New Year in Melbourne

Concrete Playground
Published on January 20, 2020
Updated on January 20, 2020

Get ready for sensory overload — Lunar New Year is here. Time to fill the streets with fireworks and dancing lions while you alternate between inhaling incredible street snacks and watching the entrancing movements of dragons twist their way through the city.

For the Year of the Rat, the festival will be connecting you with lunar markets, film festivals and feasting, feasting, feasting. With so much to do and see, here are a few highlights from Melbourne's Lunar New Year celebrations you shouldn't miss.

Image: Golden Monkey by Julia Sansone

List

Map

Event
Golden Monkey Chinese New Year Party

Saturday, January 25, 2020
Golden Monkey, Melbourne

This basement cocktail haunt is welcoming the Year of The Rat with drink specials, a lion dance and live R&B

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Event
Lunar New Year at the NGV 2020

Saturday, January 25, 2020
NGV International, Melbourne

Ring in the Chinese New Year with workshops, gallery tours, music and dumplings.

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Event
Chinese New Year at Hawker Hall

Tuesday, January 7 - Monday, January 27, 2020
Hawker Hall, Windsor

Welcome the Year of The Rat with a hearty Chinese banquet or an affordable yum cha feast.

Buy Tickets

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Event
Chinese New Year Festival at Box Hill Central

Thursday, January 1, 1970
Box Hill Central, Box Hill

A 12-hour Lunar New Year celebration with hawker-style markets, 300-person tai chi performances and a roaming dragon dance.

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Event
Lunar New Year Disco

Friday, February 7, 2020
Melbourne Museum, Carlton

Melbourne Museum will be filled with queer street dance battles, pop-up bars and roving entertainers for this Lunar New Year celebration.

Buy Tickets

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Event
Bubble Tea Festival

Friday, January 24 - Monday, January 27, 2020
Melbourne Central, Melbourne

A four-day festival in Melbourne's CBD dedicated to the city's best bubble tea makers.

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