A Free Lunar New Year Street Festival Is On This Weekend

Lunar New Year is lighting up the city centre, and everyone’s invited. As we welcome the Year of the Fire Horse - a symbol of bold energy, passion and forward momentum - it’s the perfect excuse to lean in, try something new and follow where the spark takes you. Expect pops of colour, festive flavours and plenty of reasons to wander, taste and explore. From lively cultural moments to special offers and activations, there’s something happening around every corner.

Scroll on to see what’s on and how Lunar New Year is being celebrated across the city centre — you might just stumble onto something lucky.

Feel the festive buzz

at SKYCITY

3 FEB - 3 MAR | Free events

Experience the Lunar New Year festivities at SkyCity and bring in the Year of the Horse in style! Celebrate with festive themed dining, vibrant cultural performances, lion dances, firecrackers and family-friendly activities.

at Chow Luck Club's Walking Food Tours

28 FEB & 7 MAR | $68pp

Join a specially curated walking food tour showcasing a vibrant mix of Asian-inspired flavours from some of the city’s much-loved eateries! Experience the joy of tossing for prosperity at Huami, and savour a delicious spread of Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese dishes, each stop offering its own story, tradition and flavour.

Gather round the table

Vector Lights for BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival

Enjoy a spectacular light and sound show on the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge as we welcome in the Chinese New Year with the traditional colours and patterns of China.

The Horse, a zodiac sign known for energy, independence and creativity, inspires this year’s show, symbolising passion, courage and forward movement for the year ahead.

The show will play from Monday 23 February to Sunday 1 March from 8.30PM until midnight, every 15 minutes. Click here for more information.

Spot these decorations!

Neon Cats on Darby Street

This Lunar New Year season, check out these red neon "Lucky Cats" installed on light poles along Darby Street. The installation showcases these cats flicking finger hearts, complementing Xin Xin, a larger Giant Lucky Cat display in nearby Aotea Square centre.

Xin Xin, the Giant Lucky Cat at Aotea Square

Strike a pose with Xin Xin, a playful, large-scale public Lucky Cat artwork while you get amongst the Summer in the Square celebrations.

Light Box Exhibition at Te Komititanga

Recollections and reflections, symbolism and spiritualism, aspiration and inspiration; these artworks draw from traditional and contemporary ideas of what it is to simultaneously start anew and move forward in a manner framed by the Year of the Horse.