Soon it will be the Year of the Snake, and Lunar New Year celebrations are about to begin.
More than just an age-old tradition, the festival is a joyous occasion marked with family reunions, food and good wishes of luck, abundance and prosperity.
Families will come together for celebrations across China, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Brunei as well as among diaspora communities like the more than 200,000-strong here in Auckland.
A central part of the Lunar New Year experience is food - with many dishes carrying deep meaning and significance.
This summer as the city centre celebrates the Lunar New Year, Chow Luck Club food ambassadors will be out and about in Midtown lanes on 1 February.
They will share stories about food that are special for the festive season and conduct spot competitions with hundreds of prizes to be won during the festival.
From 26 January to 22 February, the city centre will come alive with colours, sounds, tastes and beats of Asia.
Midtown’s lanes and squares will have a cultural buzz inspired by Asian traditions and infused with a unique Auckland flavour.
“The tradition of sharing time and food together is as strong as ever in the weeks of Lunar New Year,” said Auckland Council Lunar New Year festival director Eric Ngan.
“The metaphors that speak to the phases of the moon - change, brightness and wholeness - are reflected in the nature of our Lunar New Year celebrations, such as family reunion dinners, striving for harmony and an aspirational future.”
Chow Luck Club is also a proud partner of the city’s first-ever Bao and Boba Festival - where people who dine in the city centre get to vote for their top shop and be in to win.
Look out also for the Chow Luck Club roving food ambassadors at the Midtown Lunar New Year Street Party in the Lorne Street neighbourhood on Saturday 1 February for even more chances to win prizes.
This free summer street festival transforms one of Auckland's favourite dining precincts into a vibrant celebration of Asian cultures and communities.
Enjoy delicious food on a promenade of outdoor tables where Chow Luck Club food ambassadors will share with you the history of the dish from local eateries you’re enjoying. Take part in street games and engaging activities and win spot prizes.
Watch preliminary rounds of Auckland's annual Lunar New Year Karaoke Competition and witness explosive “Pop, Lock and Break It” 3-on-3 dance battles and showdowns.
Experience a real sense of community while watching lion and dragon dances, traditional instrument buskers, local Asian musicians, storytellers and roaming performers.
From traditional Asian arts to contemporary street culture, this dynamic community celebration entertains all ages.
Just a few steps away from the Midtown Street Party, Lunar New Year celebrations will also be taking place at the Auckland Art Gallery that same day.
Watch a spectacular southern lion dance performance by the Tung Tek lion dance troupe, and participate in a programme of family-focused workshops inspired by delicious yu sheng.
View and learn more about resources on Asian art and artists, and have a go at making some calligraphy snake keepsakes.
Plus, do keep an eye out for “Lucky Cats” wishing you fortune and prosperity for the future.
The Lucky Cat figurine beckons good fortune and prosperity, so don’t miss this selfie sensation in the making.
By the clocktower of the Auckland Town Hall you’ll meet a three-metre tall Lucky Cat popping cute finger-hearts in Kiwi style.
In Darby Street neon red Lucky Cats will shine from lamp posts and in Bledisloe Lane lightboxes will display Asian art.
MIDTOWN LUNAR NEW YEAR STREET PARTY
WHERE
Te Ha o Hine [Khartoum] Place, 33-36 Lorne Street, Auckland City Centre
WHEN
Saturday 1 February 2025 11am-9pm
Chow Luck Club is proud to be a partner of the Auckland City Centre Lunar New Year celebrations, supported by Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate.
