Parramatta leaps into 2023 with Year of the Rabbit festivities
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Hop to the City of Parramatta and celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with a series of free and fun activities throughout January – culminating with a delicious noodle market under the stars.
From giant inflatable rabbits, Chinese calligraphy and mahjong, to KPOP dance classes and beautiful art installations, Council’s Lunar New Year celebrations will be a feast for the senses.
An incredible night noodle market will take over the CBD on Saturday 21 January with tasty street food, a stunning lunar lantern display and live entertainment.
Visitors can enjoy authentic and mouth-watering food from across Asia, including dishes from Yan’s Asian Caterer, May’s Malaysian Hawker, Lugaw Queen, Japanese Pizza Okonomiyaki, Yummy Time Dumpling, Mrs Wang’s Dumplings and Parilla Argenchino.
Wash it down with refreshing drinks from Yebu Sugarcane Juice, Slurpalicious and Yum Thai Juice Bar, or go straight to dessert with treats from Duo Duo Ice Cream and Gelato Fruit Mania.
There will also be live entertainment and roving performers throughout the evening, including traditional lion dancers and the God of Fortune handing out lucky red packets.
To mark the Year of the Rabbit, visitors to Parramatta can also explore a trail of illuminated giant inflatable rabbits by Parer Studio, which will be dotted across the CBD, alongside specially – commissioned street banners by artist Louise Zhang featuring lucky colours red, pink, purple and blue.
“Lunar New Year is one of our City’s most popular cultural celebrations. This is a chance to honour and learn more about this holiday that is celebrated by so many in our community,” City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Donna Davis said. “It is a great time of year to join in the festivities with your family and friends. Come along to Centenary Square and Parramatta Square to see the colourful lunar lanterns, explore the Lunar New Year Market and take part in cultural workshops.”
City of Parramatta’s 2023 Lunar New Year program
Community workshops PHIVE and City of Parramatta libraries 12 January – 7 February Create a family zine using upcycled lucky red packets or make a lucky bracelet with emerging artist Celine Cheung; watch a Fai Chung demonstration by Chinese calligraphy artist Franz Cheung; challenge yourself to a game of Mahjong, Guan Dan or Chinese Chess or join a KPOP dance class – all free at PHIVE.
Bilingual story time in Mandarin and English will be held at some libraries across the City along with craft sessions. Activities are free, registrations required.
City of Parramatta games container Centenary Square 18 January – 21 January Spin the wheel of fortune or challenge a friend to a game of bean bag toss for the chance to win food vouchers, gift cards or tickets to the Brickman Cities LEGO exhibition at PHIVE.
Intrude by Parer Studio Parramatta Square and St John’s Lawn 20 January – 29 January Get up close and personal with five of Amanda Parer’s fantastical rabbits which will glow at night, snap a selfie with them across three locations in the City.
Lunar New Year Markets Parramatta Square and Centenary Square Saturday 21 January, 4pm-9pm Enjoy a night under the beautiful lights of lunar lanterns and feast on authentic street food from across the world. A stage in Centenary Square will feature live music, cultural performances and entertainment throughout the night.
Symphony Under the Stars Parramatta Park Saturday 21 January, 8pm Join Sydney Symphony Orchestra and conductor Benjamin Northey for a starlit evening of orchestral classics with a Lunar New Year twist. Audiences can enjoy a concerto from Tan Dun, Chinese and Vietnamese folk favourites, classic film scores and symphonic masterpieces from Stravinsky and Debussy. This is a free and unticketed event.
Sydney Symphony Under the Stars is presented by Sydney Festival in partnership with Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Greater Sydney Parklands.
City of Parramatta's Lunar New Year program is held in partnership with Parramatta Square, SBS, and official accommodation partner PARKROYAL Parramatta.
For more information, visit atparramatta.com/lny.