A Slice of Mandarin
Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year has arrived and it’s the Year of the PIG!! This zodiac marks the end of the 12 animal zodiac cycle. The Year of the Pig officially starts on Tuesday (5th Feb), and it is your year if you were born in 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019. People who were born in the Year of the Pig are said to be considerate, responsible, independent and optimistic. They show generosity and tolerance towards other people's mistakes but their gentle character means that they may be taken advantage of in daily life.
The Pig year is considered an auspicious year except for people who were born in the Pig year because they are in conflict with the dominant sign of the year. If this is your year, according to Chinese tradition, you are supposed to wear RED underwear all year long to ward off bad luck (preferably not the same pair)! Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, will go for 15 days and ends on 19th February when celebrations culminate in the Lantern Festival. Here are some Chinese New related events for you and your family to enjoy around Melbourne.
Where to celebrate Chinese New Year 2019 In Melbourne
Preston Central and Preston Market
Saturday, February 9 / 9am - 3pm
Preston Market will feature pop-up food stalls in addition to permanent traders, as well as Mu Jiang and calligraphy workshops, martial art demonstrations and the traditional lion dance.
Chinatown, Little Bourke Street
Sunday, February 10 / 12.30pm onwards
Chinatown is expecting up to 90,000 people to attend the day of parades, shows, games and calligraphy. Raffles will be on offer with prizes celebrating the Year of the Pig. The Dragon’s Awakening Parade will begin in Chinatown at 10am and tour the streets of Melbourne until 10pm.
Melbourne Museum
Sunday, February 17 / 6pm - 8:30pm
The official Chinese New Year Festival will close in a colourful style with traditional dancing. The official closing ceremony will be from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, followed immediately by a lion dance, more performances and a lantern parade with the fire dragon.
Lunar New Year at Crown
Friday 8 – Sunday 10 February / 11am - 10pm: Hawker’s Bazaar
Saturday 9 February / 9:45pm: Fireworks
Friday 1– Sunday 17 February: Five installations across Crown: Immerse yourself in a world of optical illusions at Crown’s first CNY edition of ArtVo.
Friday 25 January – Monday 18 February: The Atrium at Crown Towers Zodiac Spectacular
1 – 7 February: 7pm and 9pm & 8 – 10 February: 7pm & 10:30pm: Lion Team Performances:
The CHPS Mandarin Team wishes you and your family a year of happiness, good health and prosperity!
新年快乐(xīn nián kuài lè=Happy New Year)!
