Lunar New Year 2026 Events, Food & Gift Ideas in Australia

Celebrating Lunar New Year 2026 in Australia? 🧧

The Lunar New Year, specifically the Year of the Horse, officially begins on February 17, 2026, marking a time for family, food, and community gatherings.

This curated guide brings together the best food pop-ups, night markets, festivals, parades, and meaningful gift ideas happening across major Australian cities — all in one place.

Whether you’re planning a festive night out, looking for cultural experiences, or searching for thoughtful Lunar New Year gifts, bookmark this page for reference

🍜 Lunar New Year Food Events & Pop-Ups

Lunar New Year is one of the most exciting food seasons of the year. Expect night markets, limited‑edition menus, and street food celebrating prosperity and togetherness. Here are some options across the metro cities:

Melbourne

• Spice Temple (9^th Feb – 3^rd Mar): Features a $159 pp, nine-course banquet menu featuring a bright ocean trout Yu Sheng, followed by greenlip abalone with Black Oscietra caviar, festive seafood, smoky longevity noodles, and Berkshire pork belly with soft gua bao
• David’s Restaurant, Prahran (10^th Feb): Features special Lunar New Year Yum Cha with 11.30 am & 1:30 PM sittings that include a 3 PM Lion Dance performance
• Miss Mi Melbourne (16^th Feb – 3^rd Mar): Offers a special Southeast Asian-inspired set menu, featuring a complimentary glass of sparkling wine on arrival. Diners have a chance to win a Gastronomy Package (stay at Mövenpick Hotel) or $100 dining vouchers by finding lucky coins in their dessert.
• Oriental Teahouse (South Yarra & CBD): Special Yum Cha on 15 Feb featuring a Lion Dance performance (CBD) and 7 pm session on 17^th Feb (South Yarra).
• Melba Restaurant , Southbank (16^th Feb - 21^st Feb): A special Lunar New Year buffet dinner with traditional Asian flavors priced between $140- $155 per adult
• ARU Restaurant (16–28 Feb): Serving a special menu with highlights like Ora King Salmon Yee Sang and grilled rainbow trout.
• From Here by Mike (17^th Feb – 21^st Feb): Offering a special menu for lunch and dinner inspired by traditional Lunar New Year dishes
• Lunar New Year High Tea @Dorsett Melbourne (21^st Feb –22^nd Feb): Collaborating with T6 Patisserie for a limited Lunar New Year High Tea ( $49 pp)
• Sun Wah, Mordialloc ( 20th Feb, 21st Feb): Special 8 Course dinner menu with  signature cocktail on arrival, french sparkling champagne and much more

Sydney

• Arthur, Surry Hills (29^th Jan – 16^th Feb): Offering a specially curated menu blending Chinese flavours with Australian ranging from $120 pp - $160 pp.
• The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, The Bar (1^st Feb – 28^th Feb): Offering a Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea featuring array of delicacies inspired by Central and Southeast Asian culture ranging from $90 pp - $112 pp based on beverage.
• The Fullerton Hotel Sydney , The Place (2^nd Feb - 27^th Feb): Offering a Lunar New Year Lunch Plate inspired by Central and Southeast Asian culture starting at A$49.95 pp
• LEO LIN Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea (6th Feb- 3rd Mar)

  Aperture - Capella Sydney is running CNY afternoon tea showcasing oriental-accented sweet and savoury bites paired with a glass of Saicho Jasmine Sparkling Tea

• Spice Temple (9^th Feb – 3^rd Mar): Features a $159 pp, nine-course banquet menu featuring a bright ocean trout Yu Sheng, followed by greenlip abalone with Black Oscietra caviar, festive seafood, smoky longevity noodles, and Berkshire pork belly with soft gua bao
• Ho Jiak, Haymarket (10^th Feb – 1^st Mar) : Offering a special Lunar New Year menu featuring celebratory Malaysian-Nyonya signature dishes
• Sydney Opera House, Yallamundi Rooms (19^th Feb): A special Lunar New Year dinner with Victor Liong , featuring a three-course menu with wine or tea pairings ranging between $228 – $238 pp
• Aria, Circular Quay (16^th Feb – 3^rd Mar): Offering a limited bar menu with refined snacks and a signature cocktail created by Executive Chef Tom Gorringe
• Luna Lu, Campbells Cove (16^th Feb – 3^rd Mar): Features a four-course shared banquet menu with options for to add on a Moët Hennessy cocktail ($150 pp - $165 pp)or a private dining room package with Hennessy VSOP ($250 pp, minimum 6 guests)

Adelaide

• Huami Adelaide (29^th Jan – 1^st Mar): Features a 9-dish banquet designed by Chef Johnny Zhong and his team featuring live steamed fish, eight treasures lotus leaf rice, and white chocolate red bean semifreddo.
• Magill Estate (25^th Feb): A four-course menu curated by chef Victor Liong with Penfolds wine pairings ($395 pp).
• High Tea @Stamford Grand Adelaide (21st Feb – 22^nd Feb): High tea menu inspired by Singaporean and Asian influences, wrapped in the warmth and celebration of the Year of the Horse
• CitiZen Restaurant (4^th Mar): Hong Kong Australian Business Association SA (HKABA SA) Chapter dinner featuring a traditional banquet.

Brisbane

• Fat Noodle (The Star Brisbane) (1st Feb - 28th Feb) : Offers a 7-course banquet banquet for two for just $148 and a special Luncheon designed by Luke Ngugen on 21st Feb ($190 pp)
• Stanley Restaurant (Howard Smith Wharves) (17th Feb -22nd Feb): Features seasonal live seafood, specialized banquet menus, and waterfront views with nightly lion dancers.
• CNY High Tea @Stamford Plaza Hotel (14th Feb , 15th Feb , 21st Feb , 22nd Feb): A dedicated Lunar New Year Lobby High Tea offering a themed sweet and savoury menu.

Perth

• Pearl on the Point (16th Feb, 17th Feb, 20th Feb): Special set menu featuring designed for sharing, celebrating, and coming together.
• Miss Mi Perth (17th Feb- 28th Feb): Offers a 3-course "lucky" sharing menu for $99 per person
• Miss Chow's South Perth (16th Feb, 21st Feb, 28th Feb): Lunar Year celebrations including dinner, lion dance and calligraphy classes
• DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Northbridge (21st Feb): Hosting a Chinese New Year lunch buffet featuring traditional dishes and a lion dance performance 
  
• Long Chim Perth (17th Feb - 21st Feb) Offering a $99 special Maa Long Chim set menu for lunch and dinner
  
• Miss Mi Perth (Novotel Perth Murray St): A limited-time three-course sharing menu featuring a "lucky coin" competition with prizes including accommodation, dinners, and $100 vouchers.

Hobart

• Lunar New Year High Tea @Crowne Plaza Hobart (21st Feb, 28th Feb): Features a curated menu of handmade sweet and savoury delicacies accompanied by a selection of premium teas, coffee, and a glass of sparkling wine on arrival ($72 pp)
• Mr. Good Guy (17th Feb): Offering authentic Asian dishes, with 25 free drink vouchers available for lunch and 25 for dinner as a Lunar Year gift
  
• Me Wah Restaurant: Known for high-end Cantonese cuisine, Me Wah is a traditional spot for Lunar New Year, often offering exclusive, high-quality seafood dishes like lobster and scallops to mark the occasion.

Darwin

• Novotel Darwin CBD (14th Feb): In collaboration with the Australian Vietnamese Family Association (AVFA), Novotel is offering a curated selection of Vietnamese-inspired Lunar New Year dishes, featuring a warm setting for families to reconnect.
• CCCNTA Lunar New Year Dinner 2026 (27th Feb): A major, formal celebration at the Mindi Beach Casino Resort from 6:30 pm to 11 pm

Canberra

• Essence Restaurant, The Tradies (28^th Jan – 1^st Mar): Offering a limited-time special Chef’s Selections menu inspired by the bold, fragrant flavours of Asia
• The Promenade Café @ Hyatt Hotel Canberra (17th Feb, 20th Feb, 21st Feb) : Offering a Lunar New Year Seafood Buffet featuring fresh seafood, Asian dishes, and a live lion dance performance at 7:00 PM ($140 per adult, $70 per child).
• Natural nine, Casino Canberra (17th Feb - 3rd Mar): Offering a special Shanghainese menu for lunch and dinner
  
• Canberra Community Club (27th Feb): Annual Canberra Chinese New Year Dinner including a festive dinner and, singing, and dance performances ($390 per table, 10 pax)
• Whisk & Treat: Offering exclusive Lunar New Year pineapple tarts with complimentary delivery in Canberra. 
• Happy’s Chinese Restaurant (28th Feb): Hosting a FEAST Lunar New Year Dinner featuring comedian Jennifer Wong, with a special Cantonese banquet menu ( Waitlist available)

👉 Tip: Many restaurants also offer special Lunar New Year menus — keep an eye on your local favourites.

🏮 Lunar New Year Festivals, Parades & Experiences

Across Australia, Lunar New Year is celebrated with colourful parades, lantern displays and free, family‑friendly festivals.

Melbourne

• Chinatown Lunar New Year Festival (22nd Feb): The main event with a street party on Little Bourke Street, featuring market stalls, cultural performances, and the iconic dragon parade.
• Queen Victoria Market (17th  Feb): Celebrations with traditional performances and festive market, Visit Victoria.
  
• Box Hill Lunar New Year Festival (21st Feb) : A large, 10am–midnight festival with market stalls on Bank Street.
• Sunshine Lunar New Year Festival (8th  Feb): A major festival on Hampshire Road with street performers and firecrackers.
• Victoria Street Lunar Festival, Richmond (1st  Feb): A large street celebration with food and entertainment.

     Experiences

• Museums Victoria (21st Feb –22nd Feb): Lunar New Year events at Melbourne Museum (21st  Feb) and Immigration Museum (22nd  Feb), including zodiac tours. 
• ACBC Victoria Gala Dinner (24th  Feb): Held at The Langham, featuring a special performance by the Australian New Goldberg Orchestra
• Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) (21st  Feb): An annual musical celebration, Chinese New Year Concert at Hammer Hall
• Quang Minh Temple (16th Feb -17th  Feb): The Quang Minh Tet Festival is a unique annual event held on the site of the Quang Minh Buddhist Temple 

Sydney

• Pop up market at Haus of Marigold (31st Jan)
• Sydney Lunar Festival (14th Feb -1st Mar): The main celebration featuring massive lion dances, vibrant lantern displays along Hay Street, and various cultural performances.
• Market City (13th Feb - 28th Feb): Features high-pole lion dance acrobatics, kids' workshops, and special, personalized calligraphy stations.
• Sydney Opera House (17th Feb):  Lunar New Year Concert  presented in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, brings together vocal music, instrumental performance and Xiangsheng (comic crosstalk) in a vibrant cross-genre program
• Darling Harbour (Feb 21-22): Showcases jet pack performances over Cockle Bay, dragon boat racing, and fire horse installations.
• Suburban Celebrations:  Chatswood, Cabramatta (cultural performances), and Burwood (night markets) are key hubs for authentic food and festivities
• Lunar New Year-themed Makerspace projects designed to develop creative thinking skills for kids aged 8-12 years . Make a hand-printed Lunar New Year card, personalise and print a laser-cut or 3D-printed horse-themed decoration and much more

Other cities 

• Adelaide - Chinatown Adelaide Lunar New Year Street Party (21st Feb):  Annual community event on Moonta and Gouger Streets, featuring food, entertainment, and lion dances.
• Brisbane - BrisAsia Festival: Runs from 13th Feb - 22nd Feb featuring various food and drink experiences including the inaugural BrisAsia Comedy Gala, an electrifying new KPOP Showcase, Lunar New Year in the Gardens and Southside by Night.
• Perth Chinese New Year Fair (22nd Feb): Located in Northbridge offering a  wide range of activities, including cultural arts and craft workshops, competitions, games and rides, community stalls, and an exciting program of live performances.
• Hobart - Lunar New Year Festival (22nd Feb) Organised by the Chinese Community Association of Tasmania (CCAT),a major celebration at Parliament Lawns, featuring a traditional lion dance, dragon dances, and cultural performances
• Darwin - Confucius Institute (CDU): Hosting a Chinese Lunar New Year event (Year of the Horse). Activities include Tai Chi, calligraphy, and paper cutting, with food options like Xinjiang kebabs available
• Canberra Lunar New Year Festival (Dickson) 21st Feb: A major street party in Woolley Street featuring food, market stalls, and cultural performances.

✨ Most festivals are free to attend and ideal for families.

🎁 Lunar New Year Gift & Experience Ideas

Lunar New Year gifting is about symbolism, thoughtfulness and good fortune. These ideas work beautifully for family, friends, neighbours and hosts.

LEGO Galloping Horses Lunar Year Special

• •     Find this 2026 Lunar Year special at Target or Amazon AU
    

Food & Drinks  ( Year of the Horse specials)

• • Haigh Chocolates 
  • Godiva 
  • WhisknTreat 
  • Sugarfina 
  • LARK Distillery are releasing a 2026 Fire Horse Limited Edition Single Malt whiskey, matured in sherry/port casks
  •  Rémy Martin XO Year of The Horse: A collaboration with artist Xue Song featuring red/gold packaging and bamboo patterns.
  • Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the Horse: Designed by fashion artist Robert Wun.

Year of the Horse Limited Edition Products in Australia

• • Australia post Year of the horse stamp 
  • Chris Chun's Galloping horses collection 
  • A 1/4oz silver coloured coin featuring a horse and foal, available as a special release at Hobart Money Expo Coin (2026)