Apart from all the Chinese New Year festivities in the city, the councils and communities in our suburbs are also putting on celebrations for all to enjoy. Asian culture is vibrant and strong in western and north-western Sydney with the Lunar New Year being no exception.
Revelry includes traditional performances and dances along with authentic Asian food. Most have a fireworks finale but each of the following also have their own highlights.
Cabramatta
Where: Freedom Plaza, Town Centre
When: 21st & 22nd Feb, 9am-4pm
Highlights: Stunt enthusiasts, Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Show plus meet and greet, martial arts and kung fu demonstration, fashion parade, chopstick and prawn peeling competitions, and cooking demos.
Website:
www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/lunarnewyear
Parramatta Twilight Festival
Where: Centenary Square
When: 20th Feb, 4.30pm-9.30pm
Highlights: Chendu Puppetry & Shadow Play Art Theatre, K-pop, Chinese opera, Korean drumming, Chinese dragons & lion dance with fire crackers, calligraphy workshops and Asian paper folding, kids activities including Oriental Masks and God of Fortune.
Website:
www.parracity.nsw.gov.au/play/whats_on/events_calendar/events_store/all/lunar_new_year_twilight_festival
Rhodes
Where: 2 locations - Waterside Shopping Centre and Rhodes Foreshore Park
When: Waterside 14th, 17th & 18th Feb at various times, Foreshore Park 21st Feb from 5pm-9.30pm
Highlights: Waterside - Chinese fruit carving, Chinese calligraphy & Lantern making, and Lion Dances; Foreshore Park - martial arts display, music and marching bands, and Cinema in the Park screening of Kung Fu Panda.
Websites:
www.rhodeswaterside.com.au and
www.communitiesforcommunities.com.au/events
Eastwood
Where: Eastwood Plaza
When: 22nd Feb, 11am-1pm and 28th Feb, 11am-4pm
Highlights: Celebrity cooking competition, cooking demonstrations and free food tasting, high pole dancing lions, Eastwood's longest dragon parade, music and dance.
Website:
www.ryde.nsw.gov.au
North Rocks
Where: North Rocks Park & Don Moore Community Centre
When: 21st Feb, 5pm-9pm
Highlights: Bonsai display, kite flying, Taekwondo demonstrations, Chinese art display, God of Fortune, yard games and children's playground area.
Website:
www.thehills.nsw.gov.au
Mark them in your calendar, see different things on different days in different venues. Lots of colour and interesting activities to take part in as well as learning experiences. Celebrate the Year of the Sheep.
