Lord Mayor Clover Moore – Chinese New Year 2013 message

Sydney is celebrating the Year of the Snake in spectacular style, with our Chinese New Year Festival offering a feast of activities for everyone to enjoy.

Embracing the cultures of China, Korea, Vietnam and other countries that observe the lunar calendar, our Chinese New Year Festival takes a proud place on the world stage as one of the largest celebrations outside mainland China.

The Chinese New Year Markets bring delicious food, music and performance to Belmore Park, while the magical beauty of the Twilight Parade lights up Sydney’s dusk with floats and lanterns until well into the evening. This year, we’re also reviving the famous Dragon Ball, a fixture on the Chinese social calendar from the 1930s to 70s, with swing music and dancing in a night that merges our past with our present. You can also enjoy Lunar Feasts at restaurants across Sydney, traditional and modern art and performance, food tours, workshops and so much more.

Each year our Chinese New Year celebrations play an important role in fostering closer relations with the major regions of China. This year a delegation from Shenzhen, one of China’s major economic centres located in Guangdong Province, will join us in our celebrations. They’ll be bringing their unique culture to our festival and we look forward to welcoming them to Sydney.

Kung Hei Fat Choy and may the Year of the Snake bring good fortune to all!

Read messages from Councillor Robert Kok, Creative Director Gill Minervini and our Festival Ambassadors.