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2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon – representing power, success, honour, and luck among the Chinese – and as the Lunar New Year quickly approaches, we’ve created a guide on where to celebrate.
Kicking off on Saturday 10 February and running over 16 days, here are some places in Canberra where you can enjoy a kaleidoscope of cultures, eat some amazing food, and come together with family and friends.
EAT AND DRINK
Get lucky at Mrs Wang
Dine in style at Mrs Wang this Lunar New Year with a special menu of Cantonese Lobster and Singapore-style mudcrab, with your choice of two set menus that both start with a colourful selection of gong xi fa cai dumplings, which symbolise good luck for the year ahead.
mrswang.restaurant/whats-on/lunar-new-year | Inside Tiger Lane, Canberra Centre, Bunda Street, Canberra City
Eat your way across Asia at Tiger Lane
Home to nine (yes, nine) dining outlets, many of them Asian fusion, at Tiger Lane you can discover cuisine from Southern and Northern China this Lunar New Year.
Discover handmade dumplings, Bao buns and other Chinese staples at Golden Panda, and enjoy the vibrant flavours of Shanghai at Mrs Wang where they use centuries–old Chinese culinary traditions to create some amazing dishes!
Canberra Centre, Bunda Street, Canberra City | tigerlane.com.au
natural nine
During the month of February, natural nine is offering a Chef’s Special Menu for the Chinese/Lunar New Year. Available only on select dates, eat your way through delicious offerings including Sweet & Sour Boneless Whole Barramundi, Scallops & Glass Noodles with Garlic Soy Sauce and even Sticky Rice-Filled Boneless Whole Duck (which you need to pre-order).
Offered in addition to the normal menu, book in so you don’t miss this special celebration. Just remember, natural nine is strictly an 18+ venue!
Friday 9, Saturday 10, Tuesday 13, Wednesday 14 and Saturday 24 February | 21 Binara Street, Canberra City | Book here.
The Hyatt Hotel
Who doesn’t love a seafood buffet highlighting Asian cuisine?
At the Hyatt Hotel, on Saturday 10 February (that’s night only) you can be entertained by the Canberra Prosperous Mountain Dragon and Lion Dance troupe while eating your way through some mouth-watering dishes.
$108 per person | Saturday 10 February, 6 pm | 20 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla | To book call 02 62 69 8901 or email [email protected]
Muku Ramen Bar
Fusing two special celebrations of new beginnings and love, at Muku Ramen Bar you can celebrate both the Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day over a special high tea that features a yum cha inspired pan-Asian menu.
From strawberry steamed cake to Yakitori, mushroom prawn toast, mango crepe, and more, this unique dining offering is sure to tantalise your tastebuds.
$100 per person | Sunday 11 February, 11 am – 12:30 pm | 9 Scullin Place, Scullin | Book here.
Chinese Kitchen Dumpling House and Zhangliang Malatang at Westfield Woden
Did you know that Westfield Woden has its own Eat Street? Home to a plethora of delicious cuisines – including baskets of fluffy Chinese dumplings – make sure to stop in at Chinese Kitchen Dumpling House and Zhangliang Malatang for a taste of China.
Corinna Street, Woden | westfield.com.au/woden
The Canberra Labor Club Belconnen
Usher in the Lunar New Year at Canberra Labor Club in Belconnen! Join them for a festive celebration filled with prosperity and joy.
Hosting performances by the Prosperous Dragon and Lion Dancers from Friday 9 until Sunday 11 February, you’ll also be able to enjoy a fantastic and authentic selection of meal specials from 5:30 pm in the Selections Bistro – including prawn crackers, Kung Pao chicken and Salt & Pepper Prawns.
Friday 9 until Sunday 11 February | 51 Chandler Street, Belconnen | laborclub.com.au
EVENTS AND FESTIVITIES
Celebrate at Tiger Lane
During Lunar New Year, the city’s Asian street food precinct, Tiger Lane, will explode with festive activities, performances and demonstrations.
There will be lion and dragon dancers to celebrate good luck and fortune and a giant panda mascot will be roaming the precinct inside and out to take photos with kids on the evenings of Friday 9 February and Friday 16 February as well as across the day on Saturday 10 and 17 February as well as Sunday 18 February.
There will also be live cooking demonstrations and free samples of tangyuan or yuanxiao – sweet rice balls that are traditionally eaten on the final day of Lunar New Year with family – across both weekends.
Finally, there will be a Wishing Tree and Wheel of Fortune at Tiger Lane where diners can try their luck to win prizes!
See tigerlane.com.au for more information
Lunar New Year in Woolley Street
Canberra’s unofficial Chinatown is getting ready to come to life with a massive celebration this year – and it’s perfect for the whole family.
From Chinese Classical dance workshops to roving Kung Fu Performances, a calligraphy workshop, traditional Chinese classical music, a performance from Prosperous Mountain Lion Dance, and more, the day is overflowing with things to do and see. And don’t forget the delicious food and drink options provided by Dickson locals and Canberra-wide food businesses. Don’t miss this iconic event.
Saturday 10 February, 11 am – 11 pm | Woolley Street, Dickson | More information here.
Sakyamuni Buddhist Centre celebrations
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with three jam-packed days at the Sakyamuni Buddhist Centre. From eating yummy vegetarian dishes to watching cultural performances, exploring the shrines and attending the sermon and service, it’s a vibrant and fun to ring in the Lunar New Year!
Don’t miss one of the most popular and big celebrations in Canberra during this amazing time.
Friday 9 until Sunday 11 February, 6 am – late | 32 Archibald Street, Lyneham | facebook.com
Catch some Mandarin Cinema at the National Film and Sound Archive
This year, the National Film and Sound Archive is celebrating the Lunar New Year with a curated selection of films featuring Mandarin language. Taking place from Wednesday 7 until Saturday 10 February, from Tang dynasty China to modern-day New York, the films will explore family ties, complex relationships, and a shared connection to the Mandarin language.
Want to know what’s on the program? The Assassin (2015) and Long Day’s Journey Into Night (2018) are just two of the four special films!
Wednesday 7 until Saturday 10 February | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton | Book here.
Attend the Chinese Film Festival at Dendy Cinema
Immerse yourself in the rich storytelling of the Chinese Film Festival at Dendy Cinema as they take you through a curated selection of new and classic Chinese titles. With an extensive program – including Farewell, My Concubine (1992) and Snow Leopard (2023)– there’s plenty to see.
Thursday 15 until Sunday 18 February | Bunda Street, Canberra City | Book here.
Feature image: Mrs Wang by Ben Calvert Photography
Source: hercanberra.com.au
George Barham, an accomplished journalist and avid gambling enthusiast, serves as the esteemed Editor-in-Chief at fly-to-australia.com, Australia’s leading source for comprehensive gambling news and insights. With an unwavering passion for both the written word and the ever-evolving world of betting and gaming, George brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the helm of our editorial team.
