Come and enjoy New Zealand’s largest Chinese festival, celebrating the new Year of the Dog, in the Auckland Domain.

Thursday, 1 March is Lantern Appreciation Night, with no stalls, performances or amusements, and smaller crowds.

From Friday to Sunday, enjoy hundreds of handmade lanterns while sampling the best of traditional and contemporary Chinese culture.

Entertainment includes music, dance and theatre performers from New Zealand and China, martial arts displays and workshops, arts and craft stalls, food stalls selling delicious, authentic Chinese cuisine and a fireworks finale.

International performers include Lao Qiang, who perform rousing ‘old tune’ folk music; acrobats; a saxophonist; throat singers; and puppeteers.

There are also amusement rides for kids; karaoke and DJ stages; short films; face-painting; dough and sugar artists; calligraphers and much more.

The Domain is a short walk from the city centre and Grafton Train Station, is close to city cycleways and is well-served by buses. Auckland Transport will be operating a secure bike valet service at the festival. Check out bus and train services at at.govt.nz.

Presented by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development, on behalf of Auckland Council, in conjunction with founding partner Asia New Zealand Foundation.