Chinese New Year Festival

Overview

Come February 19th, the year is the year of the sheep. What does that mean for us New Zealanders, who consider sheep our token animal (equal first with the Kiwi, of course)?

Not too much, unless if you're having a kid this year. Humans born this year should be expected to be a lot kinder and more popular than other humans born in other years. Nevertheless, many Chinese are freaking out and many have decided to take a year off child reproduction to wait the year out given that sheep are not only docile, but also destined to be followers and not leaders - according to superstition.

Whether you believe the hype or not, the New Year's celebrations in bringing in the Year of the Sheep are bound to be extravagant and beautiful - with Asian food stalls, free dance and circus performances, a waterfront carnival and a street parade featuring real-life sheep included in the official programme.

Most of the festival is free, with a special fire-breathing acrobatic opera performance by Shaanxi Little Plum Blossom Qinqiang Opera Arts Group from Xian, China on Sunday at 7pm costing $25. The renowned Qingqiang group are known for combining a comprehensive range of performing arts - including folk opera, acrobatics, acting, dancing, martial arts and fire breathing - seamlessly into one show.