Lantern Festivals & Displays in Sydney Suburbs

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Thu 01 Feb 2024 - Sun 25 Feb 2024

Symbolising good luck, honour and power, the dragon is the 5th sign in the Chinese Zodiac and 2024 sees many of Sydney’s suburbs ringing in the lunar new year period with a host of events allowing you to celebrate locally.

Lantern festivals, together with a range of activities and food offerings, are a sight to behold during February. Here are some I’ve found in suburbs from our northern areas to the west and the south -

Chatswood

This is one of the biggest events you’ll find outside of the Sydney CBD with everything from street markets to a comedy festival taking place from 1st-25th February.


The twilight lantern parade is an enchanting evening of cultural wonder with the streets of Chatswood coming alive with the glow of hundreds of both handheld and large displays of lanterns. Add to the mix captivating dancers and performers in traditional costumes, together with music, and you’ve got an evening to remember. So find your spot on Victoria Avenue and enjoy the colour and vibrancy of this event on 3rd February, from 6.30pm.

Another must-see is the spectacular Soaring Dragon sculpture that arcs into the sky at The Concourse. This metallic art installation is a shimmering splendour that breathes life out of the reflection pool, offering magical photos.

Whether you fill your belly at the Golden Market, watch a lion dance or add a wish to the interactive lantern displays, you’ll find something to make for a great outing. For the full list of events in Chatswood, click here .

Castle Hill


In this north-western suburb, surrounding the Castle Hill Metro station, you’ll find Arthur Whitling Park. In the past, they have celebrated Christmas with interactive light installations and now they are set to welcome in the Year of the Dragon with a lantern festival, thanks to The Hills Shire Council .

Come 24th February, from 3pm-9pm, you can enjoy cultural performances, free craft activities and face painting, along with food stalls under the glow of hundreds of beautiful lanterns.

Ryde

The lanterns have already gone up at Top Ryde City shopping centre as part of their City of Dragons month-long festival of larger-than-life installations, cultural performances and free family entertainment.


Snap a picture with the 4m-high monster fortune dragon and the massive display of lucky lanterns adorned with genuine calligraphy in the outdoor Piazza. They’ll be there on the ground floor until 25th February, along with the Wishing Tree Garden (opposite Timezone).

On the 10th-11th February, you’ll find a mesmerising display of dragon and lion dancing, Chinese face changing, singing, tai chi, and lunar markets with a range of traditional Chinese handmade arts and crafts.

For timings and further happenings, visit the event website .

Eastwood

Light Up Koreatown, is a magical celebration in Moko Hotel (75 Rowe St) with a free lantern workshop for all, in addition to a Meerue Art workshop, an unforgettable Meerue the Blue Dragon storytelling and dragon face painting.


This lantern festival also features Korean dance performances at this elegant establishment that serves up great cocktails and a range of snacks and foods in a relaxed Korean village setting.

You can enjoy this one on 17th February, from 4.30pm-8pm.

Eastwood also has another celebration on the same day. At Eastwood Oval, you can witness high pole lion dancing, dragon dancing and cultural performances, along with enjoying amusement rides, games, an Excite stunt show and fireworks. Plenty of food trucks will also be on site from 4pm-9pm.

Regents Park


Head west to Regents Park on 24th February and venture to Dooleys Regent St Pavilion (67 Regent St) for the transformation of its outdoor alfresco area into a dazzling lantern display that will welcome the new year with joy, laughter and a warm glow. Mandarin Duo will entertain visitors with free live music from 5.30pm.

At 6pm a traditional children’s lion dance will take place, demonstrating the talent and diversity of the community.

Enjoy the entertainment and a night of food as you indulge in a variety of delicious Asian cuisine from the chefs at the Pavilion. Some special invited guests will also be presenting their culinary skills. To reserve a table, click here .

Parramatta


Known as Sydney’s second CBD, Parramatta is turning into a creative hub with a host of art installations and lantern decorations, cultural workshops, live entertainment and roving performances for its Lunar New Year celebrations on 10th February (4pm-10pm).

The centrepiece of this large event will be a giant interactive dragon, popping up in Parramatta Square. Further interaction in this festival can be had through participating in stamp carving, cooking, amulet card making and calligraphy workshops.

To keep you sustained throughout your creative endeavours is a selection of street food stalls offering everything from traditional dragon beard candy to fried chicken and mochi donuts.

Learn more and plan your visit here .

Liverpool


In the south-west, Liverpool’s Lanterns and Lights festival returns to Macquarie Mall to delight onlookers with a host of live music, traditional dances, roving performers, arcade games, a Mario Kart competition, a Dance Dance Revolution, giveaways and more.

Taking place from 16th-18th February, 6pm-11pm, you’ll also spend the evening surrounded by some of Asia’s best food vendors serving up the cuisines of Korea, Vietnam, The Philippines, Malaysia, Laos, Thailand, Japan, China, Nepal, Indonesia and more in the heart of this suburb’s CBD.

For further information, visit the Council’s event page .

Campsie


The Campsie Lantern Festival welcomes visitors to Anzac Mall and Anzac Park on 24th February for its Lunar New Year celebrations from 5pm-9.30pm.

An exciting offering of cultural entertainment includes colourful lion dancing, the lantern lady and the Campsie Catwalk, a parade showcasing traditional Chinese clothing and lanterns.

Bring your family and friends for photos with the inflatable dragon and enjoy plenty of Asian cuisine. There’s also free activities for children and a sensational show is currently being planned. You can check for updates here .

If you’re not local to any of the above areas, then look to your council’s website to see if they are putting on any lunar celebrations.

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!date 01/02/2024--25/02/2024