Lunar New Year infuses city centre with Auckland’s unique Asian flavour

Publish Date : 19 Dec 2024
Xin Xin in Aotea Square image 2
Xin Xin in Aotea Square.
Lunar New Year In Our Laneways
Lucky Cat sign in Darby St
Lunar New Year 2024 Food
Food & Festivities Exhibition In Bledisloe Lane Artwork By Chin Ann Teh
Food & Festivities exhibition in Bledisloe Lane - artwork by Chin-Ann Teh.

Energise your senses in our city centre this Lunar New Year.

Midtown’s lanes and squares will be alive with a creative and cultural buzz inspired by Asian traditions and infused with a unique Auckland flavour.

From 26 January to 22 February, feel uplifted by the colours, sounds, tastes and beats of Asia, joining millions around the world who celebrate Lunar New Year.

Throughout the festival, we invite you to take part in the inaugural Bao and Boba promotion. It’s simple; if you dine in the city centre and vote for your top shop you’ll be in to win.

Sculptures bring smiles

Shown first at the Louvre Museum in Paris and later in London, Berlin, Kobe and Sydney among other cities, Chubby Women by acclaimed Chinese artist Xu Hongfei are coming to Aotea Square. These light-hearted, body-positive sculptures of voluptuous women - reminiscent of masterpieces by Titian and Rubens - bring smiles wherever they go.

Join Xu Hongfei for an Artist Talk exploring the inspiration and international impact of the Chubby Women sculpture exhibition. Learn about the creative process and artistic influences behind these works celebrating body positivity, joy and self-expression. The artist will also lead visitors on a curatorial tour of the Chubby Women sculptures

To meet the artist, learn time and place at OurAuckland.

Read more about the Chubby Women sculpture exhibition - OurAuckland

A statue of a chubby woman

Lucky Cats beckon

The Lucky Cat figurine beckons good fortune and prosperity, so don’t miss our selfie sensation in the making. By the Terrace Café in Aotea Square you’ll meet a three metre high Lucky Cat popping cute finger-hearts in Kiwi style. In Darby Street neon red Lucky Cats will shine from lamp posts and lightboxes will display Asian art at Ellen Melville Centre and in Bledisloe Lane.

Promenade of flavours

Immerse yourself in a free summer event transforming Te Hā o Hine (Khartoum Place) and Lorne Street into an exciting Asian street festival. Cheer the crews in the street dance battle or relax and learn Tai Chi.

Girl dancing in Khartoum.

Enjoy delicious food on a promenade of outdoor tables where a food ambassador will share with you the history of the dish you’re enjoying. Experience a real sense of community while watching dragon dances, traditional instrument buskers, local Asian musicians and storytellers.

Read more about this Midtown Street Party for Lunar New Year on 1 February at OurAuckland.

Lion dances and bubble tea

At Auckland Art Gallery, witness the spectacular Tung Tek lion dancers performing on the forecourt, chilled sounds from DJ EDY and guitarist Sam Nakamura, bubble tea, a menu of family-focused workshops inspired by delicious yee sang, and many other exciting Lunar New Year activities.

Read more about Auckland Art Gallery events here.

Dragon dances for the Lunar New Year.

Karaoke and mahjong

And bring the whole family to Lunar New Year in Aotea Square as part of Auckland Live’s Summer in the Square. Experience gravity-defying dance, the Lunar New Year karaoke competition and mahjong workshops teaching the classic game, and myriad more.

Read more about Lunar New Year in Aotea Square at OurAuckland.

Black and white dance photo of break dancers.

K-pop and taekwondo

Immerse yourself in a day filled with mesmerising performances, workshops, food, games, and more showcasing the rich cultures of China and Korea - on 1 February at Ellen Melville Centre. Continue the celebration with storytime for children at Central City Library on 8 February with captivating performances and interactive workshops for the whole family.

Read more at OurAuckland.

Scroll through to the full Lunar New Year programme with dates, times and venues at OurAuckland.

Auckland Council Lunar New Year festival director Eric Ngan says our growing pan-Asian population is an asset to Auckland. He says young Asian Kiwis are proud of their roots, enjoy life in this city, and continue to creatively evolve their traditions.

“The tradition of sharing time and food together is as strong as ever in the weeks of Lunar New Year. The metaphors that speak to the phases of the moon - change, brightness, and wholeness - are reflected in the nature of our Lunar New Year celebrations, such as family reunion dinners, striving for harmony and an aspirational future,” he says.

The Lunar New Year Festival is proudly supported by the city centre targeted rate.

 

Regionwide, celebrate Chinese New Year with lantern-light in Manukau

Get ready to celebrate the Chinese New Year and Year of the Snake when the BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival opens from 13-16 February at the Manukau Sports Bowl.

The upcoming BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival is introducing free ticketing and free public transport for the first time. Free tickets are available from universe.com. The popular four-day festival, presented by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited on behalf of Auckland Council, brings light, colour and celebration to the region with over 500 handmade lanterns, traditional and contemporary performances, wonderful street food and activities for the whole whānau.

And discover many other activities celebrating Lunar New Year at Auckland Council Libraries around the region.  

BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival 2024 dragon dancers.

Photo Credit: Tataki Auckland Unlimited.

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