For three weeks in February, Sydney's streets will come alive with dance and martial arts performances in a huge cultural celebration. The Lunar Lantern Community Performance Program will see 1000 performers take to the streets from over 40 local Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese and Thai groups.
The performances will happen every Friday and Saturday night beginning on Friday, January 27. They're also being split across two locations: the Westpac Lunar Lantern Hub in Martin Place and outside Customs House in Circular Quay.
With so much planned, it's easy to be overwhelmed, but there are a few highlights you definitely shouldn't miss. On Friday, February 3 and Saturday, February 4, Martin Place will let loose for 'Massaoke' — a mass karaoke singalong that will also feature live music and traditional lion dance performances. Make sure you see the CNY Festival Dancers on Saturday, January 28, Friday, February 10 and Saturday, February 11. Their performance has been choreographed by Performance Director Virginia Ferris with input from Festival Curator Claudia Chan Shaw.
At the other end of the city, there will also be more lion dances in Chinatown.