28 Jan 2025

Join your local small businesses in celebrating the Lunar New Year during January and February 2025.

Asian communities across greater Melbourne are gearing up to celebrate Lunar New Year – and everyone is invited!

Multicultural business precincts are playing host to vibrant street festivals and events that celebrate diversity and community spirit. Get ready to experience firecrackers, lion dancing, carnivals, performances, mouthwatering food and more.

Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival, Tet, Seollal and Chinese New Year, marks the start of the new lunar calendar – a time to leave behind the old year and embrace new opportunities.

Have you noticed red lantern decorations popping up across our business precincts, or front doors being decorated in red? Red is a colour that signifies joy and good fortune, and the Lunar New Year represents a time of new beginnings, hope, and prosperity.

From St Albans to Clayton, Box Hill to Melbourne’s Chinatown, Richmond to Springvale, businesses, performers and community groups are preparing to welcome the incoming Year of the Snake – a symbol of wisdom and insight.

People at St Albans Lunar New Year Festival

With food at the heart of festivities, you can expect Melbourne’s restaurants and food providers to serve up their finest delights. There will also be lots of things to see and do, from public artworks to performances and activities to join in.

While Wednesday 29 January marks the commencement of the traditional 14-day festival,  communities around the world can be found celebrating across January and February.

Here in greater Melbourne, St Albans played host to one of our largest Lunar New events on Sunday 19 January, drawing crowds of up to 90,000 people, and Springvale’s event on Sunday 26 January also attracted a huge crowd.

Multicultural businesses are at the heart of our communities and contribute so much to our economy and cultural life. Lunar New Year is a great time to get out and show your appreciation for their talents and learn about the rich multicultural heritage of Victorians.

Did you know that the Lion Dance, a highlight of many Lunar New Year festivals, is thought to have been influenced by the Silk Road? It is one of the oldest trading and business routes in the world. Learn about the heritage of our multicultural business precincts and celebrate this important and auspicious occasion.

Lion Dance at the Lunar New Year Festival

Check out these great events

Lunar New Year has become a huge part of Australian culture and greater Melbourne knows how to celebrate!

Here is a snapshot of celebrations across greater Melbourne, hosted by local trader groups with the support of local councils and the Victorian Government:

  • Hello Clayton’s LNY 2025 – 14 days of celebration, from Saturday 18 January to Friday 31 January 2025

2025 will be a big celebration, combining 25 years of the event, 10 years of the Vietnamese gateway on Victoria Street and 50 years of Vietnamese settlement in Australia.

Businesses are throwing open their doors to welcome good fortune and offer visitors a welcoming experience, products and services. Why stop at one celebration with multiple events on offer!

Celebrate Lunar New Year at some of the biggest events across greater Melbourne and check your council’s website for local events.

Make a return visit

Keep the celebration going! Melbourne’s multicultural business precincts are waiting for you to come back and discover more local treasures.

Once you’ve experienced Lunar New Year, your enjoyment doesn’t need to stop there. Make a return visit to help keep these community centres thriving.

Photos by 'Perm Temp Pty Ltd'