Darwin’s CBD is set to come alive as the city celebrates one of the most colourful festivals in the world; Chinese New Year.

Department of Tourism and Culture Acting Deputy CEO Andrew Hopper said with the official Chinese New Year heralding the Year of the Dog on Friday 16 February, the event hallmarks one of the most important festivals in the Chinese calendar which is centred on spending time with friends and family.

“The Northern Territory enjoys a rich and vibrant Chinese culture and history, and the 2018 Year of the Dog’s celebrations aim to commemorate the significant contribution the Chinese community have made to life in the Territory,” Mr Hopper said.

“Darwin will see a number of exciting activations across the CBD to commemorate our shared rich cultural history and the significant Chinese New Year celebrations.”

The Chinese New Year activation includes;
- lantern displays in the Smith Street Mall and the Darwin Waterfront Precinct
- Chinese New Year decorations displayed in shop windows
- Chung Wah Society Lion blessings of local businesses and cultural demonstrations
- Chung Wah Society display that tells the story of Chinese History in the Northern Territory, in the Live Darwin Hub, Smith Street Mall
- Free Darwin CBD Chinese Cultural Walking Tours with local tourism operator Walk Darwin highlighting the characters and stories of Chinese involvement in establishing the early settlement through to current day Darwin (bookings required).

Chinese New Year cultural celebrations will be held in Smith Street Mall and Raintree Park on Wednesday 21 February and Saturday 24 February as a collaborative event with Darwin City and Waterfront Retailers Association Inc., Confucius Institute, Chung Wah Society and the Department of Tourism and Culture. Activities include Gong Fu demonstrations, Chinese dancers and music, calligraphy, Tai Chi and children’s craft activities. 

Chung Wah Society President, Austin Chin said they encourage everyone to come in to the Darwin CBD next Saturday, 24 February to witness the Lion Blessings of local businesses.

“Every Chinese New Year here in Darwin and all over the World, the Lion Dance is believed to scare away evil spirits and brings good luck, joy, fortune, and happiness,” Mr Chin said.

“The traditional Chinese Lion Dance has a strong and rich history that dates back to the early days of imperial China and it is believed that this tradition was brought to Darwin by the first Chinese settlers to the Northern Territory and has been passed on from generation to generation.”

The Department of Tourism and Culture has instigated this activation as part of its China Readiness program in anticipation of direct flights between China and Darwin commencing in the first half of 2018 (subject to regulatory approval).

For more information on Chinese New Year activities in Darwin visit www.livedarwin.nt.gov.au

To book your Chinese Cultural Walking Tour with Walk Darwin, visit www.walkdarwin.com.au

Media Contact: Department of Tourism and Culture – 0428 052 647