Lunar New Year
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with a weekend of music, food, crafts, and cultural activities 17-18 February.
Check out colourful dragon and lion parades, experience live performances, and feast on dumplings, noodles and other treats crafted by Peter Rowland Group.
Please note: We are currently transforming the Chinese Village and Diggings precinct as part of our Enhancement Master Plan
Dragon and Lion Parade
Watch Main Street come alive in an explosion of colour, music, and dancing with a spectacular dragon and lion parade.
Time: 11am, 1pm and 3pm
Where: Main Street
Hands On Activities
There’s plenty to keep creative minds busy in the Year of the Dragon with our craft activities.
Time: 11am - 4pm
Where: Carver and Dalton, map no. 10
Cultural Performances
Experience vibrant performances including ribbon dancing, Tai Chi, fan dancing, and other traditional Chinese entertainment across Sovereign Hill.
Time: Throughout the day
Where: Various locations
New Year’s Wishes
What’s your wish for the New Year? Make it come true by hanging it outside our Chinese Temple.
Time: 10am – 5pm
Where: Chinese Temple, map no. 5
Face Painting
The tradition of Chinese Peking Opera has more than two hundred years of history behind its name. Traditional face painting plays an important role in Peking Opera. It is used as a means to denote characters. What will your face paint say about you?
Time: 11am – 4pm
Where: Victoria Theatre, map no. 26
Foodie experiences
Treat your tastebuds to a feast of flavour with an indulgent banquet, and a menu of noodles, dumplings, drinks, and sweets to ring in the Year of the Dragon.
Time: 10am – 5pm
Where: Various locations
Cost: Extra Costs Apply
Lunar New Year Banquet
Lunar New Year is a time to celebrate with family, friends and good food. Join us for a tantalizing banquet in Main Street.
Time: 12pm & 1.30pm
Where: Charlie Napier Hotel
Cost: Pre Bookings Required - Adults: $55 | Children (recommended for 12 years and under): $25
Chinese Cultural Collections Tour
Come behind the scenes and explore our vaults of hidden treasures from our Chinese collection. Meet Loong, the oldest processional dragon in Australia, and other hidden gems telling the amazing story of Chinese communities on the goldfields.
Date: Saturday 17 February
Time: 9.30am & 11.45am
Cost: Adults $25 | Concession $20
Where: Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections
AURA sound and light spectacular
Lunar New Year festivities continue into the evening with the immersive AURA show. Discover life on the goldfields for Chinese migrants as Ballarat’s gold rushes come to life under the night sky.
Time: 9.15pm every night
Where: Sovereign Hill
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