Sydney Lunar Festival 2025

Sydney Lunar Festival is set to provide thousands of residents and visitors with 2 weeks of family-friendly music, feasts and performances to welcome the Year of the Snake.

Sydney Lunar Festival runs from 29 January to 16 February, with program highlights including:

  • Sydney Lunar Streets, 1 February 5pm-10pm
    The first major event of the festival. Expect mouthwatering food along with traditional and contemporary cultural performances featuring the always popular lion dancing. This event has become so popular, it has been expanded with road closures on Ultimo Road and Thomas, Sussex and Harbour streets to accommodate more Haymarket businesses and growing audiences.
  • Lunar Lanterns
    Illuminated zodiac artworks designed by Erika Zhu snake their way along George Street, Haymarket showcasing the story of how 12 animals competed to come first in the Great Race.
  • Lion dancing
    Vibrant and colourful performances come to the streets during the festival.
  • Street performances in Haymarket, Thaitown and Darling Quarter
    Free pop-up cultural entertainment every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6pm.
  • Lunar Spectacular, 8 February 2pm and 5pm
    Free event at Sydney Town Hall celebrating Chinese, Korean, Thai, Malaysian and Vietnamese cultures through music and dance.
  • Dragon Boat Festival, 7-9 February
    As many as 3,500 paddlers take over Cockle Bay with dragon boats churning through the water. Enjoy food, performances and family-friendly events on the shore, presented by Dragon Boats NSW.

Associated events include art exhibitions, performances, food and drink offerings, talks, seminars, tours and workshops put on by a variety of organisations and businesses. Visit sydneylunarfestival.com for more information.

Upcoming Events Submit an Event

March

Foodex Japan is the premier food and beverage exhibition in Japan, attracting more than 3000 exhibiting brands and visitors from over 80 countries.

AAHAR is India’s largest and oldest food and beverage trade show, with 2026 marking the 40th edition of the event. It will feature over 1700 exhibitors across the food and beverage sectors, including an Australia pavilion, hosted by Austrade.

Entering its 19th year, the festival is a local favourite showcasing an impressive array of craft brews, ciders and spirits in a festive outdoor atmosphere at the Mercure Canberra in Braddon. The exciting street-style event will showcase more than 40 local and interstate drinks exhibitors

April

One of the Asia-Pacific region’s most influential food-industry events is returning to China for 2026, with the 12th edition of the Food and Beverage Innovation Forum to be held from 27-29 April at Hangzhou International Expo Center.

May

Food & Drink Business presents The Hive Awards, an annual celebration of innovation and excellence in the Australian food and beverage manufacturing sector.

Bringing together chefs, operators, buyers, suppliers, and innovators for three jam-packed days of action across industry trade shows, culinary competitions, free conference streams, awards, and the best hospitality party of the year.

THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026 is taking place in Bangkok from 26-30 May at Impact Muang Thong Thani, scaling up to 140,000+ square metres with a new hall added for one of the region’s largest food and beverage trade shows.

Melbourne’s tastiest day out will be back in 2026! Watch top chefs and your favourite food heroes live on stage as they cook up a storm and meet the makers to sip, sample and shop their produce.

June

Australian Food Science and Technology Week will take place from 1-7 June 2026, aiming to raise awareness of food science and technology and highlight the vital role food scientists and technologists play in shaping a safe, sustainable, and innovative agrifood future.

Sydney’s tastiest day out will be back in 2026! From the hottest chilli sauces to the smelliest cheese, the Margaret River to the Barossa, we scour the nation to find the most delicious and exciting products around and bring them all together in one place.