Darwin lights up for Chinese New Year

The 2018 Year of the Dog celebrations highlight the significant contribution the Chinese community have made to life in the Territory.

The celebrations include lantern displays in the Smith Street Mall and the Darwin Waterfront Precinct, Chinese New Year decorations in shop windows and a Chung Wah Society exhibition that tells the story of Chinese History in the Territory, located in the Live Darwin Hub, Smith Street Mall.

Free Darwin CBD Chinese Cultural Walking Tours with local tourism operator, Walk Darwin, are also available highlighting the characters and stories of Chinese involvement in Darwin, from early settlement through to current day.

Further cultural celebrations will be held in Smith Street Mall and Raintree Park on Wednesday 21 February and Saturday 24 February with activities to include Gong Fu demonstrations, Chinese dancers and music, calligraphy, Tai Chi, children’s craft and Lion Blessings of local businesses in Darwin CBD on Saturday 24 February.

“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,” said Chung Wah Society President, Austin Chin.

“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 Darwin CBD Chinese New Year celebrations are part of the Department's China Readiness program in anticipation of direct flights between China and Darwin.

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