Pique 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.
Lucky Cats beckon
The Lucky Cat figurine beckons good fortune and prosperity, so don’t miss our selfie sensation in the making. By the clocktower of the Auckland Town Hall 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 in Bledisloe Lane lightboxes will display Asian art.
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.
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 the Midtown Street Party for Lunar New Year at OurAuckland.
Lion dances and bubble tea
Witness the spectacular Tung Tek lion dancers performing on the forecourt of Auckland Art Gallery, 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.
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.
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.
