Melbourne’s Chinatown will come alive this February as the Melbourne Chinese Lunar New Year Festival returns to celebrate the Year of the Horse.
Presented by the Melbourne Chinatown Business Association (MCBA), this much-loved festival transforms Little Bourke Street, Russell Street, Chinatown Plaza and Golden Square (Spiegel Haus) into a vibrant celebration of culture, food and community.
Families can enjoy a full day of festivities including lion and dragon dances, cultural performances, parades, family activities, food stalls and market stands showcasing food, retail, arts and community groups.
There are also special precinct activations throughout the day, including tastings at Spiegel Haus, interactive experiences and fun ways to learn more about zodiac signs and lucky numbers.
📅 Sunday 22 February 2026
🕕 9:00am – 10:00pm
📍Chinatown, Russell Street, Melbourne
🎟️ Entry is Free
What’s happening
Opening ceremony and lion eye-dotting ceremony Lion and dragon dances Cultural performances throughout the day Millennium Dai Loong (Dragon) Parade Food stalls, market stalls and community activations Family-friendly entertainment in the heart of the city
🚧 Road closures to note
To support the festival, the following temporary road closures will be in place:
Little Bourke Street (between Swanston St and Exhibition St) Russell Street (between Lonsdale St and Bourke St)
⏰ Closed from 12:00am Sunday 22 February to 2:00am Monday 23 February 2026.
🧧 Good to know
Arrive early for the best viewing of lion and dragon dances Public transport is recommended Expect large crowds, especially around parade times Bring cash or card for food and market stalls
For the full program and updates, visit:
👉 melbournechineselunarnewyear.com
Melbourne with Kidz (MWK) 
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