Lunar New Year lights up Auckland city across February

Auckland city centre is celebrating Lunar New Year with colour, music and creativity from February 17 to March 3.

A programme of free events, installations and cultural experiences will showcase a mix of traditional and contemporary Asian-Aotearoa culture across streets, squares and cultural venues.

All activities in the programme are supported by Auckland Council Events and the city centre targeted rate, bringing together Auckland Live, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Ellen Melville Centre, Auckland Central City Library – Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero and Heart of the City.

When communities reconnect

Activations led by Auckland Live will visually transform the city centre, featuring Xin Xin, the giant Lucky Cat in Aotea Square; glowing red neon Lucky Cats along Darby Street; and a lightbox exhibition of contemporary illustration by New Zealand Asian artists at Te Komititanga.

Daniel Clarke, director of Auckland Live, says: “Lunar New Year is a time when many communities reconnect with culture, family and tradition.

“Our role is to help make that visible and accessible in the heart of the city. By bringing activity into streets, squares and cultural venues, we’re supporting a city centre that feels welcoming, vibrant and alive.”

Don’t miss

Key events in the programme include:

• ASIAN [SOUND]SCAPES – Thursday February 19 at Aotea Square
• Lunar on Lorne – Saturday February 21 at Khartoum Place
• Chun Seollal Lunar New Year – Saturday February 21 at the Ellen Melville Centre
• Free, full-day, whānau-friendly creative activities – Saturday 21 February at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, and Saturday 28 February at the Central City Library – Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero
• Heart of the City’s Lunar New Year activations – lantern installations and walking food tours

The celebrations continue beyond the city centre with the BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival, supported by Auckland Council Events, at Manukau Sports Bowl from February 26 to March 1.

Visit Discover Auckland for full programme details and updates.

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