The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival is widely celebrated across the globe. Over 14 days in February, Melbourne and Victoria’s multicultural communities (Chinese, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Singaporean, Thai, Filipino and Korean) embrace the opportunity to wish for luck and prosperity for all.  Family and friends gather, welcome the new season, and celebrate food and ceremonies.

City highlights

The sound of firecrackers and fireworks, drums and dragons will sweep through the streets of Melbourne from the 15 to 25 February when the third annual Chinese New Year Melbourne Festival returns to celebrate the Year of the Dog with 10 days of feasts and festivities. The New Year Countdown on 15 February at Queensbridge Square will feature traditional Chinese dance and cultural activities, music and complimentary Chinese dumplings. The stage performances will include Kung Fu, Dragon Dance, youth performances, as well as Chinese musical instruments. Full events listing: https://www.cnymelbourne.com.au/  03 9696 6417

To commemorate the Lunar New Year, Crown Entertainment Complex is partnering with a group of street artists to paint dragons on the Gas Brigade towers along Melbourne’s Southbank Riverwalk over the weekend of 9,10 and 11 February, with the final artwork officially launching on 12 February. The dragons will be installed until the 27 February and the famous Southbank fireballs display will ignite the skyline from 8pm every 30mins. 8 Whiteman St Southbank VIC 3006, (03) 9292 8888

Visitors to Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo can take the opportunity to wish their zodiac animal sign Happy New Year. The wildlife will welcome visitors to their home which will be dressed with beautiful red lanterns for the occasion. Elliott Avenue Parkville, Vic. 3052, 1300 966 784

Also taking inspiration from Chinese lanterns - with symbolise joy and good fortune - passengers booking a Global Ballooning flight over Melbourne or the Yarra Valley during the period will onboard a hot air balloon shaped like a Chinese lantern and will receive a special Hongbao which includes a special gift. 30 Dickmann St, Richmond, Victoria 3121, +61 3 9428 5703

Visitors who prefer the security of four walls can enjoy the skyline from Eureka Skydeck instead. From 16 to 28 February, those born in the Year of the Dog will receive a 50% discount on admission (proof of age required).  7 Riverside Quay, Southbank VIC 3006, (03) 9693 8888

With luck and prosperity said to be at its peak during the Lunar New Year, punters could be winners at Flemington’s Great Horse Race Day on Saturday 17 February. Picnic rugs on the Front Lawn, Asian-inspired entertainment, and world-class racing will make for a memorable day out. Some of the world’s fastest horses will come to Flemington for the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m), named after the legendary mare whose stellar career consisted of 25 undefeated races.  448 Epsom Rd, Flemington VIC 3031, 03 8378 0678

Those more musically inclined can join the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with maestro Lü Jia and a stellar cast of guest artists to celebrate the Year of the Dog in a colourful and joyous one-night-only event (24 February) at Hamer Hall showcasing Melbourne’s diverse culture. One of China’s most celebrated violinists, Lu Siqing, will perform with the MSO for the first time since 2014 as soloist in one of China’s most famous orchestral works, the lush and romantic Butterfly Lovers concerto. 100 St Kilda Rd, Southbank VIC 3006, 03 9929 9600

Walk Melbourne’s Dumpling Discovery Walk visits several dumpling houses throughout the city that all do something a bit different. Running over three hours in the city, the walk is designed to showcase a collection of the best dumplings in town at some of Melbourne's most authentic places. 5/4 Marriott St, St Kilda VIC, 3182, +61 (0) 411 182 911

Melbourne Private Tours is offering two specially designed Chinese New Year tours: Understanding the Real Melbourne, and Melbourne After Dark. Guests joining these excursions on Sunday 18 February will have the opportunity to witness the excitement and spectacle of Chinatown coming alive with the annual Dragon Dance. The fireworks spectacular at night-time is an additional treat for those on the Melbourne After Dark tour.  Throughout 15-25 February, guests on these itineraries will be treated to a bonus indulgence of dumplings from Hutong Dumplings.  Bookings essential. 1/240 Chapel St, Prahran VIC 3181, +61 3 9529 3212

Spice Temple is celebrating Chinese New Year 2018 with a special banquet menu created by Neil Perry and Executive Chef Andy Evans available from Friday 16 February to Sunday 4 March. The Chinese New Year banquet incorporates ingredients that promote the traditional themes of the season, including prosperity, happiness, wealth, longevity and rejuvenation. Crown Complex, Southbank, Melbourne, +61 3 8679 1888

To celebrate the Year of the Dog, The Langham, Melbourne is showcasing an authentic Chinese menu at Melba Restaurant on Thursday 15 February and Friday 16 February 2018. Chinese dishes will be prepared by the hotel’s brigade of tradtional Chinese chefs. Diners can feast on favourite Chinese dishes from steamed pork buns, har gow dumplings and five spice roasted chicken, Cantonese dried beef hor fun, har lok prawn and Chinese desserts including nian gao glutinous rice cake, Chinese mandarin cheesecake and Chinese pineapple tart. Bookings essential. 1 Southgate Ave, Southbank VIC 3006, 1800 641 107

To spread the prosperity, Park Hyatt Melbourne is offering a ‘Prosper at the Park’ package where guests  can relax and unwind in style. Part of the package includes the Nin Hao program where guest are given a Mandarin compendium and map of the local area, Chinese tea service, traditional comfort food and Mandarin speaking guest service officers. Bookings essential. 1 Parliament Square, off Parliament Place, Melbourne, Victoria 3002, +61 (0)3 9224 1234

Grand Hyatt Melbourne is celebrating Lunar New Year from Thursday 15 until Sunday 18 February with a Chinese inspired buffet at Collins Kitchen.  During this period, guests will be welcomed to the hotel with Fortune Cookies in small red Chinese Lucky gift bags. On the 16 February from 6pm until 8pm, a traditional Chinese calligrapher will be on site where guests can have their new year resolution written down in traditional Chinese writing. 123 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, +61 (03) 9653 4831

More specials in the city

Fraser Place Melbourne is placing red envelopes with gold coins into each of their inbound Chinese visitor room(s) and will receive complimentary mandarins. 19 Exploration Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, + 61 3 9669 6888

For the month of February, ibis Melbourne Hotel and Apartments’ restaurant, ibis Kitchen is offering the Chef's signature braised pork belly with plum sauce, served with a crisp apple salad for $24. 15 – 21 Therry Street Melbourne, (03) 9666 0033.

Sheraton Melbourne is hosting a Chinese inspired Seafood Buffet at Little Collins St Kitchen from 16 to 25 February. The festive menu which features traditional Chinese dishes such as Xiao Long Bao (Shanghai Dumplings), Roasted Peking Duck and Red Bean Soup with Coconut Milk, as well as fresh seasonal seafood including Coffin Bay Oysters, Blue Swimmer Crab and Local Black Mussels is available for dinner (Monday – Saturday) and lunch on Sundays only. Bookings essential. 27 Little Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000 +61 3 9290 1056

Victoria celebrates the Year of the Dog