Lunar New Year 2026: Celebrate the Year of the Horse

Melbourne is home to the longest continuous Chinese settlement in the Western World and the oldest Chinatown in the Southern Hemisphere. Chinese or Lunar New Year has a long tradition in Melbourne.

Lunar New Year 2026 falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, ushering in the Year of the Horse, specifically the Fire Horse, with celebrations lasting about 16 days, culminating around March 3rd, and including public holidays from February 17th to 23rd, 2026, featuring parades, feasts, and cultural events. 

Even if you’re not of Asian descent it’s a great time in Melbourne for festivities and yummy food with your family! Here’s a list of Chinese New Year events in Melbourne suitable for kids.

Lunar New Year Events Melbourne CBD & Inner City

Queen Victoria Market Lunar New Year

Celebrate Lunar New Year Day at Queen Victoria Market with traditional performances, festive entertainment and plenty of seasonal food stalls. Tuesday 17 February 2026

Lunar New Year at the Immigration Museum

A cultural celebration exploring Lunar New Year traditions and their significance in Australia through performances and activities. Sunday 22 February 2026

NGV International Lunar New Year Dragon Dance

One of Melbourne’s most iconic Lunar New Year events, featuring a spectacular dragon dance performance at NGV International. Sunday 22 February 2026

Melbourne Chinese Lunar New Year Festival (Chinatown & CBD)

A major city-wide celebration centred around Chinatown, with lion and dragon dances, live performances, cultural displays and street food. Sunday 22 February 2026

Lunar New Year Events Melbourne Inner North & East

Victoria Street Lunar Festival (Richmond)

A lively street festival celebrating Lunar New Year with strong Vietnamese cultural influences, food stalls, performances and daytime entertainment for families. Sunday 1 February 2026

Lunar New Year at Melbourne Museum

A family favourite at Melbourne Museum, with hands-on workshops, performances and interactive activities designed especially for kids. Saturday 21 February 2026

Lunar New Year Events Melbourne West

East Meets West Lunar New Year Festival

An early celebration in Footscray bringing together Asian food, live performances and cultural entertainment in the inner city. Saturday 25 January 2026

Sunshine Lunar New Year Festival

One of the largest Lunar New Year celebrations in Melbourne’s west, featuring stage performances, cultural entertainment, food trucks and family-friendly activities. Saturday 8 February 2026

Lunar New Year Events Melbourne East & South-East

Box Hill Chinese New Year Festival

One of Melbourne’s biggest suburban Lunar New Year festivals, with a full day of performances, cultural celebrations and food stalls throughout Box Hill. Saturday 21 February 2026

Glen Waverley Lunar New Year & Lantern Festival

A popular end-of-season celebration featuring lantern displays, live entertainment, festival food and evening festivities. Sunday 1 March 2026

Find 2026 Lunar New Year Melbourne Events

Celebrate Lunar New Year in Melbourne

Lunar New Year is one of the best times of year to experience Melbourne with children. Families can enjoy free festivals, dragon and lion dances, cultural performances, interactive museum programs and plenty of food-focused celebrations across the city.