10 Feb 2026
Across the state businesses and communities will come together to welcome in the Year of the Horse, with performances, food and cultural traditions.
Falling on Tuesday 17 February 2026 with festivities continuing through to the Lantern Festival on Tuesday 3 March 2026, this period is a significant celebration for East Asian and Southeast Asian communities (China, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia) and beyond.
Small businesses are at the heart of the festivities, providing food, gifts, decorations, services and cultural experiences.
From Box Hill and Springvale to St Albans and beyond, our multicultural business hubs are buzzing with activity as local traders prepare for one of their busiest times of the year.
Asian grocers stock up on the fresh ingredients central to New Year feasts. Local bakeries craft seasonal favourites like nian gao (New Year cake), pineapple tarts or banh chung (sticky rice cakes wrapped in fragrant banana leaves). Gift shops, florists and artisans offer everything from lucky red envelopes and lanterns to a playful ‘crying horse’ toy.
Lunar New Year brings more than a celebration – it brings a meaningful economic boost for local traders, hospitality venues and multicultural business precincts. It’s a time to celebrate and strengthen local connections, support jobs and help keep cultural traditions thriving for future generations.
Hoppy Dumpling: bringing community and culture together
For Hoppy Dumpling, Lunar New Year is one of the most meaningful periods for the business. It brings increased foot traffic and interest, but more importantly, it reconnects what they do with the cultural roots of dumplings as a symbol of family and reunion.
The festival creates a natural point of connection between cultures. Many people in the local community, whether they celebrate Lunar New Year or not, are curious and open to participating. Through food, Hoppy Dumpling engages families, neighbours and visitors in a way that feels welcoming.
In Chinese tradition, dumplings are closely associated with family gatherings, sharing, and good fortune for the year ahead. Eating dumplings together, often around a shared table, is a core part of how the festival is celebrated - Hoppy Dumpling.
Upcoming Lunar New Year events in Melbourne
This Lunar New Year, take a moment to enjoy the festivities, celebrate Victoria’s rich cultural diversity and to recognise the vital contribution small businesses make to our vibrant multicultural identity.
Clayton, Saturday 14 February
Clayton Road will celebrate Lunar New Year 2026 on Saturday 14 February 2026 from 11 am to 7 pm, with free family‑friendly entertainment and activities at the new Clayton Community Space. The event will showcase Clayton’s multicultural food and retail precinct which is home to more than 200 diverse local businesses. Enjoy performances from drumming bands, wind bands and even the Melbourne Chinese Orchestra.
Springvale, Sunday 15 February
The 2026 Springvale Lunar New Year Festival attracts over 70,000 people and features diverse food, craft stalls, rides, cultural and modern performances and fireworks. The festival will be held Sunday 15 February 2026 from 10 am to 10 pm at Springvale Shopping Precinct. There will be diverse food experiences, chess, craft stores, amusement rides and other entertainment.
Box Hill, Saturday 21 February
Celebrate 2026 Box Hill Chinese New Year Festival on Saturday 21 February 2026 from 10 am to midnight. The event will feature lion and dragon dances, cultural performances, workshops, kids’ activities, amusement rides and more than 100 Asian street‑food stalls. Expect bustling lantern‑lit streets, firecrackers and a vibrant celebration of Asian cultures in the heart of Box Hill.
Melbourne CBD, Sunday 22 February
If you’re in the city on Sunday 22 February 2026, why not check out the Melbourne Chinese Lunar New Year Festival 2026. This event runs from 10 am to 8 pm throughout Chinatown with cultural performances, community activities, and the welcoming of the Year of the Horse, presented by the Melbourne Chinatown Business Association.
Supporting multicultural communities
Lunar New Year is an opportunity to support Melbourne’s multicultural business precincts. If you’ve never been to some of these suburbs, February is the time to go. These precincts are home to a diverse array of restaurants, retail stores and grocers. You never know, you might just fall in love with a new part of Melbourne.