Businesses and communities across Melbourne are welcoming the Luna New Year with celebrations running from 17 February to 3 March 2026, culminating in the Lantern Festival. The festivities highlight the city’s cultural diversity and the strong connections that support business, investment and trade.
The Year of the Horse represents energy, determination and progress—qualities that reflect the ambition driving Victoria’s business community. The festive period highlights Melbourne’s strong cultural connections across Asia and reinforces its position as a dynamic place to live, work and invest. Known for its strength and purpose, the Horse symbolises the drive to overcome challenges and achieve ambitious goals, making it a fitting ideal time for businesses to embrace growth and resilience.
Victoria’s Lunar New Year celebrations provide a unique platform to explore the vibrant multicultural environment that fuels innovation and collaboration. Across the state, local business hubs like Box Hill, Springvale, Clayton and St Albans transform into bustling centres of activity. Local traders offer festive foods and symbolic goods, while restaurants and hospitality venues welcome increased patronage, creating economic opportunities for businesses of all sizes.
The Year of the Horse encourages investors to think boldly and harness this momentum. Symbolising resilience and forward progress, it reflects qualities needed to succeed in a competitive global market. With Lunar New Year attracting attention from local and international audiences, it’s an ideal time to foster meaningful connections and tap into emerging opportunities.
Upcoming Lunar New Year events across Melbourne
Whether you're looking to explore dazzling performances, sample delicious cuisines, or connect with local businesses, the festivities offer unique opportunities to immerse yourself in the spirit of the Lunar New Year.
Key events include:
Event | Date | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
Lunar New Year at Queen Victoria Market | Friday, 20 February 2026 | Watch a Lion Dance performance starting from Mary Martin Bookshop in String Bean Alley. Discover red lantern-lined sheds and Lucky Cat displays outside the Meat & Fish Hall and throughout String Bean Alley. |
Box Hill Chinese New Year Festival | Saturday, 21 February 2026 | Enjoy thrilling performances, creative workshops (including calligraphy and crafts), storytelling sessions, vibrant face painting and lively musical entertainment. Fun for all ages! |
Melbourne Chinese Lunar New Year Festival | Sunday, 22 February 2026 | Chinatown comes alive with lion and dragon dances, cultural parades, family activities, food stalls, arts, retail offerings, and performances by community groups. |
Glen Waverley Lunar New Year Festival | Sunday, 1 March 2026 | Organised by the Monash Chinese Events Organising Committee with support from Monash Council, the Kingsway will host cultural entertainment and local business showcases. |
A prosperous year ahead
As Victoria celebrates Lunar New Year, it reinforces the importance of supporting multicultural communities while building pathways to mutual growth and shared success.
May the Year of the Horse bring vitality, expansion and prosperity to all endeavours, further strengthening Victoria’s reputation as a thriving multicultural hub and a premier choice for global investment.
