Where to Celebrate Lunar New Year in Melbourne

Lunar New Year is just around the corner and 2024 marks the Year of the Dragon, a symbol of power, nobility, honour, luck, and success. Strong vibes! 

To help you celebrate this iconic sign in style, we've rounded up delicious, entertaining and fun-filled events to celebrate Lunar New Year in Melbourne..

From bountiful banquets to immersive installations, there's no shortage of ways to celebrate in 2024.

'Get Lucky' at Warabi

W Melbourne’s Warabi is inviting guests to manifest good fortune and celebrate the Year of the Snake with its ‘Get Lucky at Warabi’ offering.

All guests who book the Omakase experience between February 10th to February 24th, will receive a red envelope containing an instant win ranging from a complimentary cocktail to a free omakase experience.

This offering is available on all sushi omakase bookings from Tuesday to Thursday, or for those who visit to discover the Natsu no Yoi summer menu on Friday or Saturday.

28th January to 1st February, book here

W Melbourne, 408 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 

Moonhouse 

Balaclava’s Chinese bistro, Moonhouse has a Lunar New Year special that will set your mind and tastebuds alight! 

Across three nights, diners can choose between its special a la carte menu or the banquet-style menu. 

Expect to celebrate the auspicious festival with a feast of traditional Lunar New Year-inspired dishes including roasted duck pancakes, longevity noodles and beef and bone marrow spring rolls.

There'll also be a Lunar New Year lucky dip, where each guest will receive a red envelope, a symbol of good fortune and joy in traditional Chinese culture, which will contain a Commune Group voucher, ranging from $5 to $100.

$75.00 per person (banquet style menu), book here

9th to 11th February, 6pm onwards

282 Carlisle Street, Balaclava

Spice Temple 

Spice Temple is embracing the Chinese custom of ushering in fortuitous times with special feasts of auspicious dishes in place to celebrate Lunar New Year.

Executive Chef Andy Evans and Head Chef Maggie Chan have curated these delicious banquet menus to celebrate the Year of the Dragon, which falls on Saturday 10^th February with traditional celebrations lasting for up to 16 days. The menus feature dishes typically saved for celebratory occasions, as well as ingredients said to promote prosperity, happiness, peace, love and more good fortune. 

Expect to delight in classic Lunar New Year dishes, like the raw fish Yu Sheng salad, otherwise known as ‘Prosperity Toss’, which symbolises good luck for the new year.

Trust us. This is one epic Lunar New Year in Melbourne feast you don't want to miss!

$159 per person (lunch and dinner), book here

22nd January to 5th February

8 Whiteman Street, Southbank

Salted Egg

Salted Egg is hosting an Asian-inspired lunch and dinner to honour the traditions of Lunar New Year, and it's a banquet you won't want to miss out on! From smoked duck betel leaf to prawn and spinach dumplings, twice cooked pork belly and steamed snapper fillet, executive chef Adam Woodfield (ex-Chin Chin) has expertly curated a Lunar New Year menu aiming to bring good fortune and prosperity for the year of the snake.

Featuring five starters, four mains and dessert to share, it's the ultimate feast to celebrate with friends.

$85 per person, book here

28th January to 1st February

509 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 

Yugen Dining

Nothing says 'good fortune' more than a five-course banquet where each dish impresses you even more than the last. Celebrate Year of the Snake with spanner crab and corn tartlets, rock oysters, sashimi, crispy pork belly, caramelised pineapple tart, and more.

Available for one week only, this is the perfect way to mark a prosperous and happy year to come.

$168 per person, book here

29th January to 2nd February

​605 Chapel Street, South Yarra

Yum Sing House

Ring in the Lunar New Year in style at Yum Sing House, who  has various festive activities on during the new year week. Pick from the a la carte menu and enjoy the traditional Yee Sang, a prosperity seafood salad, or opt for the Lunar New year Banquet menu (minimum of two people required). Featuring dishes including the Yee Sang with Ora King Salmon and Hokkaido Scallops, Braised Oxtail Money Bag, and Steamed Grouper with Aged Soy, you'll be immersed in tradition and culture.

Book for the 31st of Jnuary and you'll also be able to experience a vibrant and fun lion dance show, bringing blessings and good fortune.

$108 per person (banquet menu), book here

28th January to 31st January

​22 Sutherland Street, Melbourne

Hawker Hall Festive Banquet

For wallet-friendly Lunar New Year celebrations, indulge in Hawker Hall's epic banquet. Feast on the iconic eatery's best Malaysian and Singaporean dishes, including kingfish sashimi with a coconut, lime and red chilli sambal, prawn and pork wontons, wild mushroom salad, steamed fish with three flavour sauce and coconut tapioca pudding.

The best part? Traditional Lion Dance performances will be taking place at Hawker Hall at 8pm on the 24th January, 31st January, and 6th February.

$88 per person (banquet), book here

22nd January to 13th February

98 Chapel Street, Windsor 

Madeleine De Proust

Madeleine De Proust is also celebrating the Lunar New Year, delighting customers with a prosperity box featuring three limited-edition madeleines that are almost too pretty to eat. Sink your teeth into the Bear of Fortune, Lucky Pineapple, and Scarlett Bless—three flavours that will make you salivate. Only available for a limited time, you better run to get your hands on these.

Pre-order here

253 Lygon Street, Carlton

Koko Black Lunar New Year Treats

Chocolatiers Koko Black are bringing their signature artisanal flair to a bespoke range of treats in ode to the Year of the Dragon. Perfect for gifting (or keeping for yourself), the Lunar New Year range features a 48-piece Lunar Lantern containing a nine-layered gold foil tower that holds a variety of 48 irresistible pralines.

Joining the Lunar Lantern is the eight-piece Lucky Lunar Pralines (with four assortments of the fruity-sweet treat), the 25-Piece Chocolatier’s Collection, and the brand new Sichuan Pepper Praline.

Available online and in stores

Multiple locations across the city

Lunar New Year at Federation Square

Lunar New Year is coming to Federation Square! There's an action-packed lineup of free activities and entertainment to enjoy, from learning Tai Chi and gently Chinese dancing to watching dragon and lion dances, a Korean Traditional Sori performance, and more! It's an easy way to get in on the cultural fun.

9th February, 12pm to 4pm

Federation Square, Melbourne

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Chinese New Year

Immerse yourself in a live performance from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as they are joined by acclaimed international guest artists. They will be performing a harmonious balance of Eastern and Western masterpieces to welcome the Year of the Snake, with conductor Lü Jia at the helm of the show. Performed at Hamer Hall, this is a beautiful way to celebrate Lunar New Year in Melbourne.

From $75, tickets available here

8th February, 7:30pm to 9:30pm

100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne

Lunar New Year at NGV Melbourne

NGV Melbourne is celebrating the Year of the Snake with a series of fantastic things to see and do.

This year’s Lunar New Year program at the NGV features lion dances weaving through the Great Hall, performances from the Chinese Beijing Opera, face changing performances, Mahjong, art making activities and Live DJ sets. 

Be sure to purchase tickets to go and see Yayoi Kusama's exhibition while you're there, and you'll be set for a fun, cultural day out!

1st to 2nd February

NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Southbank

Lunar New Year in Chinatown 

Explore Chinatown during this iconic seasonal event, which historically attracts over 100,000 people along this colourful enclave each year. Dine at world-class restaurants, discover hidden bars and more as you celebrate the start of the Year of the Dragon.

The program for the day features various performances including lion dancing, DJs, an official ceremony and address, the Millennium Dragon Parade and of course, a giant Chinese Lunar Dragon!

Free event (dragon procession starts at 11.45am in front of the Chinese Museum)

Sunday 2nd February

Chinatown Melbourne, Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

Lunar New Year at Preston Market 

Head to Preston Market this Lunar New Year. This multicultural hub of Melbourne's north will come alive with traditional Chinese celebrations. To start the New Year, a Cai Shen (Chinese God of prosperity) stilt walker will bless the market and bring good luck and fortune to all visitors, followed by a Lion Dance sure to delight market-goers.

For families, there will be Lunar New Year inspired art and crafts, giving young ones a special piece of the market to take home. 

Traditional Asian dishes and drinks will also be available, so you're guaranteed a Chinese street food feast!

Sunday 9th February, 9am to 3pm

Preston Market, 30A The Centreway, Preston

Now that you've sorted out where to celebrate Lunar New Year in Melbourne, why not add these thrilling events to your social calendar? Looking to explore further afield? Take a trip away and stay at one of these unique Airbnbs, spend a weekend exploring gorgeous Daylesford, or the ever-popular Mornington Peninsula.