Join the fun of Chinese New Year at Sunnybank Plaza and Sunny Park to welcome in 2020. The Year of the Rat festivities will run from 23 January to 1 February from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. It's an exciting week of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Plus, you have a chance to WIN a holiday for two people to Asia.
And don't miss Sunnybank's Lunar New Year Rooftop Party on Saturday 1 February. Celebrate the New Year with colour, excitement and fireworks.
Shaolin Kung Fu Demonstrations (May Cross)
The Lion Dance is one of the most popular entertainments of any Lunar New Year celebration and at Sunnybank Plaza and Sunny Park it is sure to be a hit with spectators. It is said to bring good fortune, prosperity and longevity wherever it is performed. Master Chen and the Southern Shaolin International Wushu Academy will showcase their awesome skills. Lion Dancers will be on show each morning outside Hoyts Cinemas, Aldi or Woolworths (with Kung Fu demonstrations at weekend performances). Spectators are welcome to join in and follow the Lions along their path through the centre.
Wushu Lion Dancers (May Cross)
Chinese calligraphy has been around for over 2000 years and is one of the highest forms of Chinese art. At Sunnybank Plaza and Sunny Park, you can have your special Chinese New Year message scribed by renowned award-winning calligrapher Eric Lin, or one of his students from Serenity Calligraphy Association. Artists will create a treasured memento of this year's Year of the Rat celebrations. You can try your own hand at this beautiful ancient art form at the try-it-yourself station
Chinese Lanterns (May Cross)
Red Chinese lanterns are a feature of all Lunar festivities. Here's an activity for the kids. The children can bring the Year of the Rat to life with their own decorative lantern. They will be shown how to create a cute rat lantern to take home and celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Learn more about Asian Food (organiser's website)
Tai Chi - see daily demonstrations of this gentle art of well-being by the International Wushu Tai Chi Academy.
Ice Carving - professional carvers from Ice Art will transform a metre high, 140kg block of ice into a stunning sculpture using chainsaws and chisels.
Fruit and Vegetable Carving and Workshops - a talented craftsman will demonstrate how to transform everyday fruit and vegetables into colourful works of art. You can also try it yourself.
Cultural Handcraft Demonstrations - artists from the Australian Asia Art Network Association will demonstrate a wide variety of authentic handicrafts, painting and children's toy making, with some beautiful creations available for sale.
Plus other art, craft and cultural displays; live music; Chinese silk embroidery, Feng Shui; mask and fan making; Traditional Costume Mini Photo Studio; and children's craft workshops. Simply something for everyone.
Grab some delicious Asian Food (organiser's website)
At Sunnybank Plaza Rooftop Car Park, Sunnybank on Saturday1 February from 4.00 pm to 9.00 pm.
The Lunar New Year Rooftop Party, will be lots of fun for the whole family. Sunnybank's New Year celebrations literally finish with a bang, with a rooftop party and fireworks spectacle. Enjoy the Asian culture of the pop-up laneway with lantern making, calligraphy workshops, tea ceremonies, percussion workshops and more. There's a whole program of live entertainment including a traditional lion dance, music, cultural dance and K-pop performances. Plus games and activities for all ages in the Family Game Zone. Purchase some dinner or snacks from one of the authentic Asian restaurants as the sun sets, and stay for the grand finale - a spectacular fireworks display which will light up the summer night sky.
Don't miss the popular Lion Dance (May Cross)
