The Lunar New Year is set to be bigger than ever on the North Shore this February, with the traditional Chatswood celebrations accompanied by a festival in St Leonards
The Lunar New Year always heralds colourful celebrations ringing in the New Year, with traditions reflecting the rich cultural diversity of locals. Welcoming in 2026, the Year of the Horse, will be a range of festivities on North Shore’s streets.
From 12 to 28 February, Chatswood’s city centre will be filled with cultural traditions, colourful performances and festive experiences that celebrate shared stories and the community spirit behind one of Sydney’s largest Lunar New Year festivals. It’s the highlight of the area’s events calendar, bringing people together and showcasing the best of the diverse community.
“It’s a celebration of culture, connection and community spirit,” Willoughby Mayor Tanya Taylor said. “It’s also a time to recognise the enormous cultural, social and economic contribution our diverse communities make to this city every day.”
Lunar New Year festivities are not just an important cultural celebration, but provide a boost to the local economy. Last year, the Year of the Snake injected nearly $80 million through the full month-long event, with the Celebration Day attracting 60,000 visitors who spent nearly $4 million in total. Small businesses – particularly those in food service, which received $1 million of the 2025 Celebration Day economic boost – particularly feel the
love during the Lunar New Year, with the markets, activations and other event opportunities allowing locals to spotlight what makes Chatswood unique.
The Twilight Parade spotlights local culture
This year the festivities have expanded, with the Celebration Days for Lunar New Year spanning the weekend of 21 to 22 February. Victoria Avenue, Chatswood is set to be the centrepiece of the celebrations, with the Twilight Lantern Parade stepping onto the street at 7pm on the Saturday, lighting up with a procession of dancers, floats, colourful costumes and community groups. The procession will run from the corner of Victoria Avenue and Hercules Street and finish at Charlotte Lane, leaving plenty of space for spectators to find the perfect spot to watch.
Parade applications close on 6 February for those who want to be part of the spectacular event, and spectators are encouraged to line the route and enjoy this vibrant celebration of culture, sport, creativity and community pride.
“The Year of the Horse Festival will be filled with colour, generosity and shared joy, a celebration of people and place, and of the collective energy that makes Chatswood such a vibrant and welcoming city,” Mayor Taylor continued.
Across the 16 days of the festival, there is also a packed program for families. Children’s activities will include a fortune stall with lucky prizes, a jumping castle, and pony rides – a playful nod to the Year of the Horse.
From 10am to 9pm on Saturday, and 10am to 6pm on Sunday, more than 130 market stalls will line the streets offering food, gifts, crafts, fashion and festive favourites curated by local businesses, artisans and community groups.
The Concourse will host a full weekend of live entertainment, showcasing traditional and contemporary performances, from instrumental music and dance to modern interpretations that reflect the evolving cultural landscape and inter-generational creativity of our community.
Lion dancers will bring good luck and energy to Anderson Street, while roving performers will animate Chatswood Mall and Archer Street, transforming the precinct into a lively cultural celebration.
Lunar Laneways, St Leonards
A stone’s throw away in St Leonards, Lane Cove Council, in collaboration with the Korean Cultural Centre, is holding an inaugural twilight street party on 28 February called Lunar Laneways.
Running from 4pm to 9pm, the event will reflect both the traditional and contemporary aspects of Korean culture across Canberra Avenue and Marshall Lane.
Chinese and Vietnamese cultural curation is planned in 2027 and 2028 respectively.
