Before the much-hyped Sydney Lunar Festival comes to town later this month, another epic Lunar New Year celebration is set to take over Darling Square. The vibrant district is bringing a myriad of dining experiences, art installations and traditional feasts to ring in the Year of the Rabbit. Hundreds of traditional New Year lanterns will also be set up in a super Instagrammable display along with a number of activities and activations throughout the festive period.
Lunar New Year, Darling Square
Darling Square is bursting with colourful cultural experiences for the Lunar New Year. Sydney-based artist Chris Lee has created murals of the 12 animals of the Zodiac, interpreted through the modern lens of Asian graphic novels. Traditional lion dancers will take to the streets with performances scheduled on January 21 and 22 and February 3 – 5. Plus get your groove on with live music by DJs every Friday from 5-9pm.
If you’re in the Square you know you can expect the best local eats and retailers putting on a show. Gong Grocer will be popping up from January 19-29 with a Lunar New Year gift shop and snack bar. Expect bespoke gift hampers, traditional street food snacks and cookie packs.
Local Japanese restaurant IIKO Mazesoba will be serving up two special dishes: a prosperity Mazesoba featuring tangy noodle salad topped with tuna, salmon caviar, carrot and crispy noodle chips to symbolise good fortune and wealth and a rich rabbit parfait.
Other local legends are getting in on the action as well. Find Lunar New Year donuts at Shortstop, fiery Hoisin wings at Wingboy, a sesame mochi basque cheesecake from 15 Centimeters and a prosperity teishoku set from Dopa.
The festivities come to Darling Square from 21 January to 5 February. Get all the details about Lunar New Year at Darling Square here.