WHAT'S ON IN SYDNEY
2019
FEBRUARY
Sydney Chinese New Year Festival: Friday, February 1 to Sunday, FEbruary 10- 4 March
Free event
Celebrate the Year of the Pig and the Chinese New Year in Chinatown and other parts of Sydney. This year's festival includes lunar lanterns of all Chinese Zodiac signs scattered from the Sydney Opera House to Circular Quay and The Rocks. A highlight is the spectacular pig lantern by Qian Jian Hua, which will light up the western boardwalk of the Sydney Opera House. A free demonstrationwill be held by master calligraphy artists. The festival features numerous food events throught Chinatown and the city, dragon boat races in Darling Harbour and lion dances at the Circular Quay foreshore.More than 80 events are planned for the festival.
Details
Make a Lunar New Year wish at the QVB - 24 January to Sunday 24 February 2019
Sydney’s Queen Victoria Building will celebrate the Chinese with a wishing tree display and rotating pop-up activations. The six-metre high peach blossom tree installation will sit beneath the central dome. On level 2, visitors will find the QVB Wishing Station, where they can share their wishes for the new year, which will be displayed beneath the dome. Meanwhile, artist-in-residence
Sydney calligrapher Teresa Ling will be on site to craft complimentary and customised Lunar New Year prints using calligraphy and a letterpress.
Where: Queen Victoria Building, 455 George Street, Sydney
Times: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9am to 6pm; Thursdays, 9am to 9pm; Saturdays, 10am to 4pm; Sundays, 11am to 4pm.
Details
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras - Friday, February 15 to Sunday, March 3
The 40th anniversary of Sydney's annual LGBTQI pride festival. The Sydney festival is regarded as the world's premier gay and lesbian cultural festival culminating in a spectacluar parade on March 2.
Festival program and details
Badu Gili - twice nightly
Free event
Seven-minute animations appear on the sails of the Sydney Opera House celebrating the ancient stories and rich contemporary culture of Australia’s First Nations. Badu Gili is best viewed from the top of the Opera House’s Monumental Steps.
Latest screening times
Guided walks in the Royal Botanic Garden - Weekdays, 10.30am to 12pm, until Friday 5 April
Free event
Explore the heritage and plant diversity of Sydney's world famous Royal Botanic Garden with a knowledgeable volunteer guide. Activity suited for individuals or small family groups.
Details