The sails of the Sydney Opera House were washed in deep red on Thursday night as NSW marked the arrival of the Year of the Horse, setting the tone for weeks of Lunar New Year celebrations across the state.
Hundreds of community members gathered at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia at The Rocks, where Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper hosted an event ahead of Lunar New Year, which begins on 17 February.
As darkness settled over the harbour, Sydney’s most recognisable landmark was bathed in bold red, drawing applause from the crowd and signalling the start of celebrations that will run throughout the month. Across the city and regional centres, the program includes feasts, performances and public art, with more than 100 events planned statewide.
Lunar New Year has become a fixture in NSW’s multicultural calendar, reflecting both the state’s demographic makeup and the enduring traditions carried by communities with ties to East and South-East Asia. In Sydney, festivities now stretch well beyond a single weekend, taking in street parades, night markets and cultural showcases that attract residents and visitors alike.
As home to one of the largest Lunar New Year celebrations in the Asia–Pacific, Sydney expects a lift in tourism during the period. The state government anticipates that the surge in visitors will continue this month as the city celebrates the Year of the Horse.
Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said the occasion carried meaning beyond spectacle. “Lunar New Year is a special time to celebrate life, family and culture, and to express gratitude, hope and joy.
“As a festival it is a wonderful example of how deeply we are connected to global traditions while giving them a uniquely local twist.
“The Minns Labor government wishes all communities celebrating a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.”
Multicultural NSW Acting CEO James Jegasothy said the celebration now resonates across the state. “Lunar New Year is now a major fixture on NSW’s cultural calendar, celebrated by people right across the state.
“The many public events, from traditional performances to food and art, create opportunities for people of all backgrounds to come together.
“At its heart, Lunar New Year is about renewal, family and connection, values that resonate strongly across our multicultural society.”
For many attendees, the illumination of the Opera House was both symbolic and communal. It offered a public recognition of traditions that have long been observed in homes, temples and community halls, now reflected on the harbour skyline. With a full calendar of events to follow, the red sails marked a beginning rather than an endpoint, as communities across NSW prepare to welcome the new year in their own ways.
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