Latest news from City of Sydney

Celebrating the year of the Sheep

Our 2015 Chinese New Year Festival, from 13 February – 1 March, will welcome the year of the sheep and celebrate Sydney’s diversity, including the cultures of China, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand and other countries observing the lunar calendar.

The City of Sydney’s festival attracts more than 600,000 visitors, making it one of the most popular events in our calendar and the largest Lunar New Year celebration outside Asia.

This year’s highlights include the Festival Launch at Dawes Point on 13 February. Grab a snack from a food truck, and watch lions leap to life to the beat of drums and the sound of firecrackers, scaring away last year’s misfortunes.

While you’re there, check out the Lanterns of the Terracotta Warriors. Inspired by the famous terracotta warrior army in China, artist Xia Nan has created 90 warrior lanterns standing 2.1 metres high that light up in bright bursts of colour.

Lunar Streets is a brand-new event for this year’s festival, offering a feast of Asian food in the heart of Haymarket. On 14 February, streets will be closed and given over the diners to enjoy the unique flavours of different parts of Asia.

The spectacular Twilight Parade on 22 February will this year honour all things sheep, with lanterns, floats, and projections lighting up city streets. Entertainment starting around dusk will be followed by almost 3,000 performers making their way down George Street.

Kung Hei Fat Choy and may the Year of the Sheep bring peace, prosperity and good fortune to all.

To see what’s in store for Sydney’s 2014 Chinese New Year Festival, visit sydneychinesenewyear.com

Family week at Sydney Festival

Sydney Festival is one of our city’s great summer traditions. This year there’s plenty to see and do, including the return of the City of Sydney’s Lawn Library, and lots of great food and entertainment in the Festival Village at Hyde Park.

Our outdoor library is the best place to soak up the atmosphere of one of the biggest cultural celebrations in the city. Bring a coffee, grab a book, take a seat at our long communal table and talk, read or relax.

This week (20-25 January) is family week in the Festival Village with special events including the Lawn Library’s craft workshops and story time sessions, fun music at the bandstand, and free activities with the Australian Museum.

This year, the Festival Village is also home to ‘Higher Ground’ by artist-in-residence Maser. The two-storey high art installation blurs reality and makes you feel like you’ve just stepped into a painting.

For more information about what’s still on at Sydney Festival, visit whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au