Our guide to the Lunar New Year 2024 festivities around Auckland: 10-24th February.
Lunar New Year is one of the year’s biggest festivals and is celebrated by millions of people around the world. We’re lucky enough to have a richly diverse community in Auckland. This means we’ve got lots of great events to celebrate the Lunar New Year – the Year of the Dragon.
But first, some background info on Lunar New Year:
The Lunar New Year marks the first full moon of the lunar calendar. This year, it falls on 10th Feb and runs as a 15-day festival. The Chinese zodiac calendar is a 12-year cycle represented by 12 different animals – this year is the year of the dragon. This also means that anyone born in 2024 will have the personal zodiac sign of the dragon. The position of the stars tells us generally what the year means for each zodiac animal. The red decorations seen throughout the Lunar New Year are an auspicious Chinese symbol of wealth and prosperity.
The 15-day festival is a lot of fun but also a lot of work. Check out this CNN article if you want to learn about each day of the festival, what is means and how to participate.
Auckland Lunar New Year events for you, your friends and family
Celebrate with our local Asian communities by finding an Auckland event near year. Here are some of the best picks we’ve spotted around town:
BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival, Manukau Sports Bowl: 22-25th February, 5-10.30pm
This free family event is finally back after 4 years of cancellations. Now hosted at the Manukau Sports Bowl, this 4-day festival showcases hundreds of handmade lanterns, along with cultural music and dance performances, traditional craft demonstrations and amazing food stalls. Visit on Sunday and even see the spectacular fireworks display.
Lunar New Year Lanterns: 7-25th Feb
Over 160 huge lanterns can be found in Auckland City. Go for a walk to see how many you can spot between Queen St, Fort St, Albert St, Elliot St, Lorne St and High St.
Lunar New Year in the Square, Aotea Square: Sunday 25th February, 10am-7pm
Celebrate new beginnings at Lunar New Year in the Square! There will be food trucks galore on site, packed with your favourite pan-Asian foods, as well as craft workshops, ‘best dressed’ competitions and karaoke battles.
Vector Lights for Lunar New Year, Auckland Harbour Bridge: 20-25th February, 9pm-12am
Welcome in the Year of the Dragon with the Vector Lights Harbour Bridge light and sound show. Watch as the bridge lights up with lanterns floating into the night sky – the show is every 15 minutes.
Artwork by All My Friends, Freyberg steps and the Ellen Melville Centre
Crafted for Auckland Pride Festival by an art collective comprised of members with Asian and Pacific heritage, the artwork incorporates elements of the Lunar New Year celebration.