The Lunar New Year Festival will envelop Dickson’s Woolley Street in a Covid-safe kaleidoscope of colour, sound, tastes and aromas over three consecutive long-weekends, with the first running from Thursday 27 January to the eve of Lunar New Year on Monday 31 January.
The celebration to welcome the Year of the Water Tiger will include musical performances, dance and martial arts displays, workshops and a to-be-revealed SBS Television-sponsored element.
The outdoor festival will extend to Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 February and Thursday 10 to Saturday 12 February. Entertainment is scheduled between 6-8pm, plus a daytime component on Saturdays.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr MLA said that being able to celebrate Lunar New Year in this way is important for the community.
“Holding the celebration over multiple weekends as a distributed event rather than one big street festival maximises Covid-safety as well as benefits to local businesses and the community.”
City Renewal Authority CEO Malcolm Snow said, “This outdoor street festival is a safe, fun and enjoyable way to support small businesses while celebrating our community’s cultural diversity and activating Dickson.
“It’s also a great example of what will be made possible by the Woolley Street upgrade works which are set to commence immediately after the event concludes.”
A stage and tables on the pedestrian elbow of Woolley Street, with dining-style seating in front of restaurants, will facilitate outdoor dining. Dickson businesses have been invited to be a part of the Lunar New Year Festival and will receive the traditional gift of tangerine trees.
Highlights of the program include:
- Music: ANU Chinese Classical Music Ensemble, Kim Yang, Ding Guili and Lucy Sugerman.
- Performances: Project Beats and Red Cedar Traditional Chinese Dance.
- Plus: a yet-to-be-revealed SBS Television-sponsored element, Canberra Dragon Dancers, Fire Dragon Australia and Subsdance presents the Zodiac Story.
SBS Managing Director James Taylor said SBS is pleased to be involved in the event.
“SBS is committed to celebrating Australia’s multicultural events, encouraging all Australians to embrace our rich diversity. Lunar New Year is one of the biggest events of the year, celebrated by many cultures around the world, and we are thrilled to once again be out in the community joining in the festivities and marking this important occasion.”
This event is organised by a team of experienced event managers working with the ACT Government and has a COVID-19 safety plan.
Canberrans who attend the event are asked to observe COVID-safe behaviours. This includes to maintain physical distancing from others, to consider wearing a mask if this is not possible, and to stay home if you are unwell.
The program details will be available here: .
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