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Lunar New Year is here! Almost 50,000 people gathered in Hurstville to celebrate the Year of the Snake at Georges River Council’s Lunar New Year Festival – and what a celebration it was! From dazzling performances to mouth-watering street food, the festival was packed with excitement, culture, and unforgettable experiences.
Here are our top six highlights from this spectacular event:
The heart of the festival was undoubtedly the main stage, where traditional and contemporary performances kept the crowd entertained all day long. The energy was electric, with mesmerising lion dances, high-energy drum performances, and incredible cultural showcases bringing the Year of the Snake to life.
The festival buzzed with excitement as roving performers brought joy and surprise to every corner of Hurstville. The God of Wealth strolled through the crowds, handing out lucky red envelopes, while acrobats, stilt walkers, and traditional musicians created a festive atmosphere that immersed everyone in the spirit of Lunar New Year.
No Lunar New Year celebration is complete without incredible food, and this year’s festival did not disappoint. The stalls were overflowing with dumplings, skewers, bubble tea, and other delicacies.
From sweet to savoury, there was something to satisfy every craving. Plus, visitors got to shop from a range of cultural and artisan stalls, taking home everything from handcrafted trinkets to beautiful calligraphy art.
One of the most exciting additions to this year’s festival was Entertainment Park’s go-kart track, bringing high-speed fun for thrill-seekers of all ages. Whether it was kids taking their first ride or showing off their skills, the adrenaline-fueled experience added a unique and unexpected twist to the celebrations.
Food lovers were treated to Asian Inspirations‘ live cooking demonstrations where expert chef Heather Jeong shared her secrets to making Lunar New Year delicacies. The sights and smells were absolutely irresistible as audiences learned to craft perfect dumplings, master stir-fry techniques, and explore the flavours that define the Lunar New Year feast. The best part? Tasting the delicious creations at the end!
For the first time ever, the festival’s official Lunar New Year mural was painted live at Westfield Hurstville. Created by artist Zhuzhu (Guiyong Zhu), this stunning artwork captured the themes of transformation, resilience, and unity that define the Year of the Snake. Seeing the mural come to life before our eyes at Westfield Hurstville before its final display at Interchange Park was a truly special experience.
Curious to see how the murual was produced? Check out the time lapse here.
With record-breaking attendance, unforgettable performances, and exciting new additions, the 2025 Lunar New Year Festival was truly a celebration for the ages.
A huge thank you to Georges River Council and NSW Government’s Open Streets program led by Transport for NSW. Special thanks to major sponsors Entertainment Park, VJB Group, Westfield Hurstville and Chemist Warehouse Hurstville. We also gratefully acknowledge the event sponsors SBS Australia, Asian Inspirations, Club Central Hurstville and Optus.
And a massive thank you to the entire community for making this year’s festival one to remember. Here’s to an incredible Year of the Snake ahead!
