Sydney is bursting at the seams with great events and entertainment for February and at the heart of the festivities is the largest Chinese New Year Celebration outside of Asia. This year, the community will be ushering the Year of the Tiger and will celebrations include an opening day ceremony in Surry Hills and markets. The highlight of the fortnight will be the extravagant Twilight Parade through Sydney’s Chinatown.
Sydney communities celebrate the New Year
The party kicks off on 12 February 2010, the night before New Year’s Eve. Markets and an opening ceremony are to be held at Belmore Park in Surry Hills near Central station and will feature performances put on by the local Asian communities. The official first day of the year takes place on 14 February, and the night before is a time for families to enjoy a New Year’s Eve feast that always includes traditional foods to promote prosperity, wealth and success in the coming year.
In China, the New Year comes as a time of rest and family, where minimal chores are done and most businesses are closed. Meanwhile, Sydney will be hosting a number of cultural events, with Dragon Boat races on 27-28 February at Darling Harbour and a number of individual community events.
Pivotal to the celebrations will the Twilight Parade on 21 February. After the outstanding success of the inaugural Twilight Parade in 2009 (replacing the traditional day parade of the past years), audiences this year will once again be treated to an amazing spectacle of colourful illuminated floats while performers in traditional dress will wow the crowds.
The Year of the Tiger
In the Chinese Zodiac, the Tiger is considered to be a symbol of bravery and those born in the year of the Tiger are thought to be courageous fighters, charismatic, with strong moral values and are good protectors.
Coming to Sydney
The City of Sydney is honoured to host the largest Chinese New Year celebration outside of Asia and members of the Chinese community from all across Australia lend their support. Events take place throughout the Sydney city area. If you’re taking part in the celebrations and looking for somewhere convenient to stay, Quality Hotel Cambridge is just a stone’s throw away from all the festivities. Book a room for your stay today.