Chatswood Year of The Rat Festival

The three-week Chatswood Year of the Rat Festival is bursting with immersive and colourful experiences, designed to transport guests on a journey through Asia in Sydney’s very own Lower North Shore. The Year of the Rat signifies the re-starting of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals and where better to celebrate than Sydney’s little Asia. Feng shui masters believe there is a giant dragon coiled around Sydney and its head is in Chatswood, which has made it a hub for the Asian community.

The 2020 program includes:
- Golden Market (9am to 9pm, Thursdays and Fridays): Meander through Chatswood Mall as it is transformed into a replica end-of-year market commonly found in cities across Asia, with 35 stallholders selling flowers, lucky bamboo, decorations and delicious New Year delicacies. Be entertained by Chinese Opera, K-pop, traditional dances and calligraphy.
- Lunar New Year Day at The Interchange (Saturday, 25 January): Visit the Chatswood Interchange to enjoy lion dancers, lucky Buddha, Chinese drummers and Kung Fu demonstrations.
- Chinese New Year Celebration Day (Saturday 1 February): Welcome in the Year of the Rat at one of Sydney’s largest Chinese New Year celebrations, which is in its 22nd year and is bigger than ever with a stage in Chatswood Mall and at The Concourse. Attracting over 8,000 visitors, the celebrations include magic shows, face changing and Chinese Opera.
- Lunar New Year Twilight Parade (Saturday 8 February): Join the fanfare as the Chatswood CBD comes alive with a traditional Lunar New Year street parade. Dance along with some of the country’s top lion and dragon dancers, drummers and marching bands.
- "Lucky Chatty" Lunar New Year Dinner with Adam Liaw (Wednesday 5 February): Join author, television presenter, and Asian cuisine expert Adam Liaw for a delicious dinner at Chatswood’s General Chao to ring in the Lunar New Year. Feast on a festive menu of auspicious and creative dishes specially designed by Adam and Son Sewoo, Executive Chef of General Chao.

Throughout the three-week festival, complementing the array of culinary delights, other activities such as traditional lion dancers, food tours, art exhibitions, and Chinese Opera will also be on the menu.

For the full program, visit the official website.