Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Lane Cove – Friday 31st January 2025

The Lane Cove Council organises a couple of events each year that set the Lane Cove Plaza alight, including the Lunar New Year celebrations.

Lane Cove will celebrate the Lunar New Year on 31 January 2024 from 3:30 to 6.00 pm.

It’s the year of the Snake.

The event will start in the Lane Cove Plaza and then follow the Lions as they make their way to The Canopy.  You can stay on for the Screen on the Green – Kung Fu Panda at 6.00 am.  For a change the event will be taking place in school holidays.

The Lion Dance

The Lion Dance is an absolute highlight and is loved by kids and adults.

The Lion Dance is performed each year by Pak Hok Kung Fu International.

Pak Hok Kung Fu International is a Sydney martial arts and lion dance school.

Chan Hak Fu established the school in 1972. It teaches martial arts, self-defence, and the Lion Dance using traditional methods. The Lion Dance classes promote fitness and agility.

If you’ve ever seen the Lion Dance, you will know that the performers must be incredibly fit and agile to perform at such high energy.

Our video below gives you an idea of how exciting watching the Lion Dance is.

Pak Hok (White Crane) Kung Fu has a long tradition in China, reputedly having begun during the Ming Dynasty – circa 1426. The style started when a Tibetan Lama, Au Dav Tov, with extensive knowledge of martial arts, watched a black ape fighting a white crane.

As a result of this experience, he founded the ‘Lion’s Roar’ style of Kung Fu, which was later renamed ‘Pak Hok Chung’. This paved the way for another Lama, Du Logatan, to find Pak Hok Kung Fu at the end of the Ming Dynasty. You can find out more about Pak Hok Kung Fu here.

Our Cover Photo Source:  Pak Hok Kung Fu here.

Lunar New Year – Willoughby City Council

The festival will offer an exciting program of events for all ages, including an engaging Snake Trail where participants can embark on a journey through the CBD, following a series of artistic snake sculptures. Additionally, there will be an all-day street festival, food trails featuring local culinary delights, and a special art exhibition titled ‘Infrangible Matter: Tracing the Elements’. This exhibition will explore the significance of the five elements – Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, and Earth—through the perspectives of Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean cultures. Attendees can also expect to be dazzled by lion dancers and illuminated lanterns.
A highlight of the festival is Celebration Day on February 1, (10am – 10pm) where visitors can enjoy a spectacular lantern parade and browse vibrant market stalls along Victoria Avenue. Throughout the festival period, the Golden Market will be open every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday offering a variety of activities and entertainment to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Discover a carefully curated collection of restaurants and cafes serving dishes that encapsulate the culinary essence of Lunar New Year’s celebrations. Delicious dumplings, and even the opportunity to sample customary whole fish or long noodles for good fortune and wealth.
Explore a curated selection of restaurants and eateries offering dishes that capture the culinary essence of Lunar New Year celebrations. Such as delicious dumplings, savoury stir-fries, and maybe even a chance to try the traditional whole fish or long noodles for good luck and prosperity.
Mayor Tanya Taylor is encouraging residents and visitors alike to join in the festivities, adding that she was “thrilled to see a treasured local festival return to Chatswood for another year.”

“The Chatswood Year of the Snake Festival is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate cultural diversity, prosperity, and good health for the year ahead. Lunar New Year is a great time to showcase Willoughby’s vibrant night time economy and invite everyone to experience the wonderful diversity and cultural delights of Chatswood.”

Join us in celebrating the Year of the Snake and immerse yourself in this dynamic and culturally enriching experience.
For more information about the Chatswood Lunar New Year Festival 2025, visit: https://www.visitchatswood.com.au/LNY/Home