Get ready to leap into the Lunar New Year and celebrate the Year of the Tiger as the streets and laneways of Chinatown are transformed into a hub of family fun.
The City of Sydney is hosting Lunar Lanes - a one-off Sydney Lunar Festival event in Haymarket featuring roving performers, market stalls, DJs, lion dancers and a night-time concert. The event is being held from 5pm to 10pm on Saturday 29 January.
Lunar Lanes is also the first chance to see this year's new crouching tiger lanterns, standing guard in Dixon Street Mall as part of the City of Sydney's lunar lanterns display of the 12 zodiac animals.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the event is a terrific opportunity for Sydneysiders and visitors alike to come back and enjoy the city and Chinatown, the traditional heart of Sydney's Lunar Festival celebrations.
"We launched this wonderful community celebration in 2020 and we're looking forward to once again seeing people experiencing the cultural activities, entertainment and feasts on offer," the Lord Mayor said. "Lunar Lanes is a wonderful way for people to enjoy the spirit of our 2022 Year of the Tiger celebrations."
"Creating outdoor opportunities for visitors and residents is an essential part of what we're doing to support our local businesses through these challenging times, and we are doing everything we can to make this a safe event for everyone. Covid-19 safety plans will be in place for Lunar Lanes and all NSW Health regulations will be followed.
"People are keen to get out of the house and enjoy what Sydney has to offer, safely. By closing off streets, we're creating extra space that will give people a safe way to support local businesses and re-engage with their community.
"Given the ongoing spread of the Omicron variant, people still need to exercise caution, follow health guidance and get vaccinated. When it comes to enjoying events like Lunar Lanes and our Summer Streets activations, we urge people attending to be vaccinated, wear a mask and practise safe distancing."
Entertainment and activities at Lunar Lanes will include:
· cultural performances by Sydney's Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, Taiwanese and Japanese communities on the main stage at Hay Street
· lion dancers performing to the beat of accompanying drummers
· an electrifying 10 metre illuminated LED lion dance performance on the streets of Chinatown from 8.30pm
· street stalls set up for a fun carnival atmosphere and the chance to bag a Year of the Tiger memento
· food trucks and local restaurants serving delicious food, taking bookings now.
Visitors will get to see the Year of the Water Tiger art installation running the length of Dixon Street Mall. Created by Sydney artist Susan Chen, the artworks include a tiger lantern curtain strung overhead, ceramic designs wrapped around the street's trees and tiger image decals dotted along the pavement.
F
