Lunar New Year is upon us, and the celebrations in Brisbane are in full swing. This year, Lunar New Year takes place on Tuesday, February 17, and there’s a slew of cool things to do around Brisbane to celebrate the Year of the Horse — traditionally associated with energy, ambition and forward momentum — from traditional lion dances, colourful festivals and more.
BrisAsia Festival
The 2026 edition of BrisAsia Festival is packed with events and experiences, uniting artists and creatives for ten days from Friday, February 13 until Sunday, February 22. You can expect to find everything from Lunar New Year celebrations to street parties, authentic eats, live performances, dance parties, workshops, comedy, and more across multiple Brisbane locations. Find the full program here.
Southside by Night
The celebrations will be kicking off with entertainment for everyone from car lovers to live music fans at Southside By Night on Friday, February 13. Expect to see incredible street, luxury and performance cars, hip-hop and DJ performances by local artists and, of course, street food.
Lunar New Year in the Gardens
Celebrate the Year of the Horse on Sunday, February 15 with live music and performances that are fun for the whole family! The captivating shows will include traditional lion dancers as well as a martial arts display, a dazzling spectacle of Bollywood with infectious rhythms and shimmering costumes, live music, traditional dance, KPOP, Henna face painting and more! All accompanied by the beautiful backdrop of the botanic gardens and flavourful Asian street food.
Sunnybank Lunar New Year
One of Brissy’s biggest Lunar New Year celebrations is coming back with a spectacular lineup of (free!) cultural activities, family-friendly entertainment, and authentic culinary experiences. And on Saturday, February 28, you can dance to live music and eat to your heart’s content at their Lunar New Year Rooftop Party, which will culminate in a stunning fireworks display.
From must-sees such as lion and dragon dances, cultural experiences like a Chinese calligraphy workshop and a silk embroidery workshop, to kid-friendly crafts and even a balloon maze, there’s no de-neigh-ing this will be a celebration to remember! The full program is still TBA, so we’ll keep you updated!
Brisbane Greeters Tour
Go on a guided walk of Fortitude Valley thanks to this fascinating journey through the history of Brisbane’s most expressive precinct. Learn about its rise as a commercial and retail centre in the late 19th century, and, crucially, the contributions made by the Chinese community, as well as the emergence of the Valley as the centre for Brisbane’s gay community.
Most of all, enjoy the celebratory atmosphere of the Year of the Horse with free, live entertainment and cultural markets throughout Chinatown Mall and Fortitude Valley on February 21 and February 22.
Chef’s Kiss: Delicious Di-neigh-ing
Stanley
Riverside dining gem Stanley has launched their Chinese New Year menu, which comes with a delectable selection of Cantonese dishes that can be added to any of the current banquet menus or the traditional a la carte menu.
If you book any day from February 17 to February 22 at 6.30pm or 8.30pm, you’ll be treated to traditional lion dancers from your table!
Fat Noodle
From February 17 to March 8, Fat Noodle will start the Year of the Horse with a decadent 7-course banquet! And, if you’re in the area at 7pm on February 17 to February 22, you’ll get to catch the amazing roving lion dance performances at The George Street Foyer.