Chinese New Year Twilight Parade

The magical Twilight Parade will weave its way, dragon-style, under the beauty of an evening sky illuminated by giant projections on Sydney's buildings. Experience pre-parade entertainment, including street art, dancers and acrobats, and as dusk descends, a giant dragon head leading the Parade through our city.

Delight in the homage to the many Chinese restaurants named after the dragon, with cooking utensils, yum cha trolleys and plate spinners. Discover the different representations of this mythical beast in Asian and Western cultures, thrill to the Bruce Lee Enter the Dragon tribute, and swing back in time to the famous Dragon Balls held in Sydney’s Trocadero during the 1930s to 1950s.

Visitors from Chengdu, China, are bringing a giant panda float, singers and dancers. There are also groups from Beijing, fabulous floats from local Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese communities, lanterns, fire breathing and martial arts – all winding their way back to the last float of all, the dragon’s tail.

With over 2900 performers, this is one extravaganza that you won’t want to miss!

Parade Program

Download the CNY 2012 MAP

7-8pm: Pre-Parade entertainment

Featuring street art, dancers and acrobats

8-8.15pm: Eye-dotting ceremony

Awakening the dragons in a special ceremony.

8.15pm: Parade starts

The giant dragon head leads the Parade from Town Hall  along George Street and then Goulburn, Sussex, Hay and Harbour Streets.

8pm - midnight: Dragon Projections

Imagine yourself in a neon-lit Asian city, with giant projections changing the face of some of Sydney's iconic buildings, and bringing a whole new dimension to the Twilight Parade.

Following the Parade: Fireworks

Traditionally set off to scare away the previous year's bad luck, a stunning display of fireworks marks the end of the Twilight Parade and the beginning of Year of the Dragon. Takes place at Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour.

 

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