Now that we're done with the other new year, we can set our sights on celebrating the Year of the Pig from February 5. With the bush capital being home to thousands of Asian Australians, you can bet your âng-pau there will be Lunar New Year celebrations rippling throughout town.
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Lantern Festival
The end of Lunar New Year celebrations is typically marked with a lantern festival. In Canberra, colourful lanterns will light up the sky from the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. There will also be a lantern-making workshop ahead of the event. Beijing Garden, Lennox Gardens, Yarralumla. February 23, 6.15-8.30pm. More info via acfs.org.au. Free.
Lanterne Rooms
Lanterne Rooms will host a special banquet with dishes inspired by Malay and Nyonya new year food traditions. Lanterne Rooms, Campbell. February 5-16. Bookings via lanternerooms@gmail.com.
National Multicultural Festival
The Happy New Year China Village will return to the Multicultural Festival this year. The showcase will include an array of performances and stalls to ring in the Lunar New Year. City Walk, Civic. February 15-17. Free entry.
Natural Nine
Follow up a colourful procession of dancers with a colourful procession of sticky rice cigars, scallop and garlic chive crystal dumplings, pandan and white chocolate lamington, and red bean waffles. Natural Nine, Casino Canberra, Civic. February 5-10, 5.30-10pm. Menu and bookings via casinocanberra.com.au. $98 per tower for two people.
XO
For a few tasty weeks, XO serves up an eight-course tasting menu featuring classic Lunar New Year dishes created from local and regional produce. During the first seating on February 5, guests can enjoy a lion dancing performance to kick off the new year. XO, Narrabundah. February 5-23. Bookings via www.thefork.com.au. $88 per head.
Chairman & Yip
Chairman & Yip will have a new year banquet and tasting menus on offer over five days, featuring meals from the heart of Cantonese Lunar New Year traditions with their own twist. Chairman & Yip, Barton. February 5-9. Bookings via chairmanandyip@gmail.com.
Wild Duck
The fine dining restaurant will have a spread of five-spice edamame, 'eight treasures' spatchcock, water chestnut cake, and more for its Year of the Golden Pig banquet, available for lunch and dinner. Wild Duck, Kingston. February 4-9. Bookings via wild-duck.com.au. $88 per person.
First Edition
First Edition is serving up a fusion feed that will not leave you hungry. Their three-course Lunar New Year menu will include deep fried eggplant stuffed with chicken and snake bean, sesame ice-cream and a five spice cocktail with a touch of Remy VSOP Cognac. First Edition, Civic. February 1-8. Bookings via firsteditioncanberra.com.au. $35 per head.
Riverside Plaza
To celebrate Lunar New Year, the Queanbeyan retail hub will run a $200 giveaway on their Instagram from January 31.
Westfield Belconnen
The shopping centre will have a Lion Dance Parade, a traditional performance beginning on Level 3 on Lathlain Street, making its way through to Centre Court on Level 1. There will also be blessings on the day in these same areas. Westfield Belconnen. February 9, 12pm. Free.
Westfield Woden
For the southsiders, Westfield Woden will celebrate Lunar New Year with its own Lion Dance Parade throughout the centre’s dining precinct on Corinna Street, and will then continue into the fresh food area. Westfield Woden. February 16, 12pm. Free.
If you have a Lunar New Year event to include, email serena.coady@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
