10+ ways to welcome the Year of the Snake in Canberra | HerCanberra

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10+ ways to welcome the Year of the Snake in Canberra

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It’s time to don your auspicious red outfits and welcome the Lunar New Year in Canberra!

Whether you want to celebrate by eating some delicious Asian food or watching a captivating lion dance, there’s something for everyone.

For those born in 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, and 2025, this is your year – the Year of the Snake. People born in the Year of the Snake are considered rational, calm, thoughtful, and loyal to loved ones!

So, to celebrate, we’ve rounded up more than 10 ways you can spend the Lunar New Year as you welcome in the Year of the Snake.

THE CLASSICS

Lunar New Year in Dickson 

As always, Dickson will be playing host to an exciting day of festivities to welcome in the Lunar New Year!  Walk into a world of celebrations, and enjoy cultural performances, live music, workshops, traditional food stalls and more.

Be sure to catch the Canberra Dragon Dance and perform a spectacular Chinese dragon, lion and kung fu show to welcome in the Year of the Snake. If the lines for the food stalls are too busy, check out some of the restaurants around Dickson that are sure to meet the Lunar New Year vibes.

Saturday 1 February, 10 am – 10 pm | Woolley Street, Dickson | More information here

Prosperous Mountain Dragon and Lion Dance 

What would be a list of ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year without a mention of the Canberra Prosperous Mountain Dragon and Lion Dance? Between the 29 January and 16 February, grab your family and friends. Enjoy a loud and colourful performance, meet the team for a selfie and pat the lions!

Performances will be taking place at community events, businesses, and private celebrations.

Varied times and dates | Varied locations | Find out more here

FOOD

Mrs Wang

Looking for a special location to enjoy your Lunar New Year food? Book your spot at Mrs Wang and enjoy the special Lunar New Year set menu including traditional Chinese seafood dishes from their live seafood cabinet and handmade dumplings, crafted by none other than the in-house dumpling master!

Inside Tiger Lane, Canberra Centre, Bunda Street, Canberra City | mrswang.restaurant

Tiger Lane

If you’re bringing in the new year with a big group and you can’t decide on one place to eat, head to Tiger Lane where you’ll find favourite dishes to appease the whole group! Housed within a vibrant action-packed sensory space, enjoy a meal sitting in an urban thoroughfare, inspired by the hawker centres of Asia.

Discover cuisine from southern and northern China this Lunar New Year!

Canberra Centre, Bunda Street, Canberra City | tigerlane.com.au

natural nine

Ring in the Year of the Snake with an unforgettable dining experience at Natural Nine with the Chef’s Special Menu offering a culinary journey marking this auspicious occasion!

Enjoy a menu filled with traditional favourites and contemporary delights to bring joy, abundance, and delicious moments to your celebrations. I’m talking poached chicken with soy sauce, slow cooked pork hock in master stock and twice-cooked pork belly with sticky rice.

Tuesday 28 January to Sunday 16 February | Lunch 12 pm – 2 pm, dinner 6 pm – 9 pm | 21 Binara Street, Canberra | Book here

The Hyatt Hotel

Welcome in the New Year in style at the Hyatt Promenade Café. Book your spot and then sit back, relax and enjoy a gourmet seafood buffet and authentic Asian cuisine foods. But it’s not just dinner! You get dinner and a show with a live lion dance performance scheduled for 7 pm.

Wednesday 29 January and Saturday 1 February | 6 pm – 9:30 pm | $108 adult, $54 child ( six to 12 years old) | Reserve a spot here

 The Vikings Club 

Celebrate Lunar New Year at Erindale and Town Centre Vikings with lion dancers and Asian-inspired dishes to celebrate the Year of the Snake! Treat yourself to dishes like crispy dumplings, pork and prawn dumplings with a gyoza dipping sauce, and longevity noodles, all while enjoying a traditional lion dance performance to bring you good luck and fortune for the year ahead.

Wednesday 29 January to Wednesday 12 February | Varied times | Varied locations | More information here

If none of these take your fancy, check out Muku Ramen BarChinese Kitchen Dumpling HouseZhangliang MalatangCBD Dumpling House, and Akiba.

EVENTS AND FESTIVITIES

Lunar New Year Concert

Welcome in the Year of the Snake with an unforgettable celebration of music by an over 20-piece ensemble from Hong Kong!

The Hong Kong String Orchestra, renowned for its masterful fusion of Eastern and Western classical music will be sure to captivate audiences with a unique program blending works by Vivaldi alongside traditional pieces honouring the rich cultural heritage of the Lunar New Year.

Wednesday 5 February | 7:30 pm | $48.20-$108 | Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra | Book tickets here

The Slithering Snake Bike Ride

Looking for something a little bit different to mark the start of the lunar year of the Snake? Join Canberra by Bike in this family-friendly ride in the shape of a slithering snake.

Starting at the forecourt of Parliament House, the group will wind their way around the National Triangle via Kinds Avenue bridge, then using the bike paths to finish at the annual Lunar New Year Festival in Dickson.

Those joining are encouraged to wear red as it’s an auspicious colour for the Lunar New Year!

Saturday 1 February | 3 pm – 5 pm | Parliament House, Parliament Drive, Canberra | More information here

Snakes and Ladders at the Canberra Centre

Bring the little ones for this one! They’ll love getting engaged with a life-size Snakes and Ladders Game to celebrate Lunar New Year. The family will love this childhood nostalgia game, with a giant game board and dice!

Ground Level, near the Lego® Certified Store, inside Canberra Centre, Bunda Street

Celebrate Lunar New Year 2025 with the Parliamentary Friends of SBS

Be in the home of politics this Lunar New Year, and usher in the good fortune at Parliament House with the Parliamentary Friends of SBS. Enjoy cultural experiences and interactive activities with Member for Calwell, Maria Vamvakinou MP, Member for Fowler, Dai Le MP, and Member for Monash, Russell Broadbent MP.

Wednesday 5 February | 10 am – 12 pm | Parliament House, Parliament Drive, Canberra | More information here

Visit the Wishing Tree

When you’re next in the city, visit the gorgeous Wishing Tree in the Canberra Centre! With vibrant red leaves and festive lanterns and lights, this is the perfect place to set well wishes for the upcoming year. It’s also the perfect place to snap that Instagrammable shot celebrating the New Year!

Level One near Gequrzhaus, inside Canberra Centre, Bunda Street, Canberra City

Sushi Hub Workshops

Fancy a chance to unleash your inner chef with a hands-on sushi-making workshop? Perfect for kids and parents alike, these sessions will guide you through creating delicious sushi rolls (with tips and tricks from the experts)!

Wednesday 29 January | Varied times | Near Big W, Gungahlin Marketplace,30&33 Hibberson Street, Gungahlin | Book your spot here

If we missed you and you would like to be included in the Lunar New Year roundup, flick us an email to the hello@hercanberra.com.au inbox!

Feature image: Ben Calvert Photo. 

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