Melbourne's best Lunar New Year events
Find the best events and dining specials during Lunar New Year 2026, then plan year-round fun in Chinatown.
When is Lunar New Year in 2026?
The Year of the Horse officially starts on 17 February 2026.
The best Lunar New Year 2026 events
Melbourne Chinese Lunar New Year Festival
Join the community and welcome the Year of the Horse in Chinatown.
Lunar New Year at NGV
Celebrate Lunar New Year at NGV with a whole day of festivities, food and fun.
Lunar New Year at QV Melbourne
QV Melbourne celebrates the year of the horse with a Happy Horse Noodle Bar installation.
Lunar New Year at Melbourne Museum
Melbourne Museum transforms into a vibrant hub to celebrate the Year of the Horse.
Lunar New Year at Immigration Museum
Celebrate Lunar New Year with a vibrant day of music, storytelling and activities for all ages.
Lunar New Year at Crown Melbourne
Crown is kicking off the Year of the Horse with a spectacular three week celebration.
MSO Chinese New Year Concert
Join the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and special guests as they usher in the Year of the Horse.
Lunar New Year: Cocktails & Conversation with Melissa Leong
An intimate evening with Melissa Leong to celebrate LNY 2026 and her new book.
All About Dragons Workshop
Walk alongside the Millennium Dragon and make your own dragon puppet to take home.
Best Lunar New Year banquets and menu specials
Lunar New Year High Tea
Experience a high tea designed to delight all your senses and bring joy to your celebration.
RuYi
Celebrate the Year of the Horse with either a seven or five-course set menu, $118/$63pp, to 2 Mar.
Stamford Plaza Melbourne
Enjoy shared platters, an optional Yu Sheng prosperity toss & free calligraphy (21 Feb), $45-$69pp.
Spice Temple
Enjoy a limited-time Lunar New Year Banquet for lunch or dinner, Feb 9 to Mar 3, $159pp.
Miss Mi
Step into the Year of the Horse with a celebratory dinner & a glass of bubbles,16 Feb-3 Mar, $110pp.
Melba Restaurant
Enjoy a buffet crafted to bring prosperity and joy to the Year of the Horse, 16-21 Feb, from $140pp.
Cha Ching Melbourne
Enjoy a delicious Lunar New Year banquet, 17-23 February, $88 or $128pp.
Aru
Celebrate with four special dishes representing prosperity, luck, wealth and abundance, 16-28 Feb.
Lee Ho Fook
Celebrate with a special menu featuring yee sang, 8 treasure duck and lucky lychee.
Rice Paper Scissors
Enjoy a six-course banquet celebrating Filipino cuisine, 16 Feb to 1 Mar, $69pp.
Juni
A limited-time seven-plate set menu designed around fire, spice and shared feasting, $88pp.
Lexy Restaurant and Bar
A limited time special menu celebrates the season with elevated festive flavours, to 21 Feb.
Le Yeahllow
Order the limited-time Kumquat cake, inspired by gold, prosperity and fresh beginnings.
Miilk Cake Studio
Celebrate the Year of the Horse with a limited-time only Fifty Shades of Black cake, to 1 March.
More Lunar New Year pop-up events and specials
Emporium Melbourne
Read your horoscope and find your lucky numbers at the House of Luck installation until 28 Feb.
Emporium Melbourne
Watch the unforgettable Lion Dances, 14 Feb, 1pm-1.45pm; 17 Feb, 2pm-2:45pm; and 21 Feb, 1pm-1.45pm.
Where to eat and drink in Chinatown
Chinatown’s most iconic restaurants
These restaurants are some of the oldest and most loved in Melbourne's famous Chinatown precinct.
The ultimate dumpling guide to Melbourne
Steamed, fried, baked or boiled – there’s no such thing as a bad dumpling.
The best yum cha restaurants in Melbourne
Dine with friends on all-you-can-eat dumplings, seafood share plates and more.
Where to find the best hidden bars in Chinatown
Take a detour to find secret basement cocktails, secluded rooftop bars and a fairytale wonderland.
Discover more things to do in Chinatown
The ultimate guide to Chinatown
Where to eat, drink and karaoke the night away in Melbourne's famous Chinatown precinct.
Museum of Chinese Australian History
Museum preserving and displaying the history of Chinese immigration.
Heart of the city walk
Take a walk through legendary landmarks, iconic malls, hidden little streets and art-filled alleys.
Last updated on Thu 19 Feb 2026
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