Welcome in the Lunar New Year in spectacular style with City of Canterbury Bankstown once again putting on an exciting program of events and activities.
Celebrate the Chinese Year of the Rabbit and the Vietnamese Year of the Cat with delicious food, traditional lion dancing, fire breathing acrobats, dragon dancing and drumming parade and much more.
This year, Lunar New Year in Australia falls on Sunday 22 January, and celebrations last for 15 days.
To highlight this important cultural event, Council will kick off an exciting program with the Bankstown Lunar New Year Festival on Saturday 14 January, culminating in the Campsie Lunar Noodle Markets on Saturday 4 February.
Festivities include traditional Chinese and Vietnamese dancing, a chopstick challenge, calligraphy, and for those wanting to see what the future holds for them, a fortune teller and the God and Goddess of Fortune handing out lucky red envelopes.
There’s also plenty for the kids, with carnival rides, a fishing competition and a fun lantern making workshop.
Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour said he’s looking forward to celebrating Lunar New Year in grand style.
“It’s going to be a fantastic celebration of two cultures that live and work in our wonderful City,” Mayor Asfour said.
“We’ve got a great program of events and activities for everyone to enjoy!
“I encourage you to join in the celebrations and discover what the New Year has in store for you. And make sure you get yourself a lucky red envelope!”
The Chinese in our community will be celebrating the Year of the Rabbit, while the Vietnamese community celebrate the Year of the Cat.
In Chinese culture, the rabbit is quiet, gentle, elegant, alert and responsible. The festival was originally a ceremonial day to pray to gods for a good planting and harvest season. People also prayed to their ancestors, who were seen as gods.
While for the Vietnamese community, the Cat is the fourth animal symbol in the 12-year cycle of the Vietnamese and Gurung zodiac. In Vietnamese culture, during Lunar New Year, families reunite and honour their ancestors, while praying for luck, prosperity and health in the New Year.
For more information on Council’s Lunar New Year events, visit cb.city/LunarNewYear
