Lunar New Year Festival

The inaugural Lunar New Year Festival celebrates everything Asian – rebranded from the much-loved Chinese New Year Festival, come and celebrate the event you know and enjoy; food, craft, performers, tradition, colour, family-fun activities, all blended with a Kiwi flavour.

This year recognises the element Water, so we’re welcoming in the Year of the Water Tiger, and acknowledging each of the five elements to a Festival activity.

Wood Tiger // East Meets West, Tue 01 Feb, 7.30-9pm, Shed 6, Gold Coin Entry
A showcase of contemporary and traditional Asian performing arts inspired by artists born in the year of the Wooden Tiger.

Festival Day, Sat 05 Feb, 12pm-8pm
Fire Tiger // Asian Market, Shed 6 and Frank Kitts Park
Water Tiger // Cultural Entertainment, Frank Kitts Park

Your senses will be on fire over the diverse talents and tastes from the Asian Market’s crafts, displays, cuisine and children’s activities, a veritable cultural flow indoors and outdoors. And located on the water’s edge, the exciting Cultural Entertainment stage show will entertain and delight audience goers of all ages, along with the Waterfront Procession bringing parade participants to life with colour and excitement.

Metal Tiger // Dance of the Metal Tiger, partnered with Wellington Museum, 3 Jervois Quay, 01-13 Feb

A programme of dance films, artist talks and community workshops, including a new dance film inspired by the Metal Tiger presented by internationally acclaimed film maker and choreographer, Daniel Belton.

Earth Tiger // Whanau Day, partnered with National Library, 70 Molesworth St, Sat 12 Feb, 10-12pm
A family-friendly event with traditional costumes and craft-making, including cultural performances. Plus a celebration of the work of Chinese New Zealand artist Rossano Fan, born in the Year of the Earth Tiger.

Happy Lunar New Year!