After a year of shenanigans from the 2016 Year of the Monkey, it’s time for a fresh start as we welcome 2017, the Lunar Year of the Rooster. The Chinese New Year kicks off on 28 January with a number of traditional ceremonies and celebrations to be held in Canberra. To ensure that you start the Lunar New Year in the best way possible, we have put together a list of some of the best Year of the Rooster events going on around town!
Lunar New Year Banquet at Vikings Lanyon
6pm Saturday 28 January
In celebration of a Lunar New Year, the Year of the Rooster, and of course good fortune and prosperity, the Vikings Group will be hosting a vibrant and colourful celebration this month at each of its venues.
In true ceremonial spirit, Vikings Lanyon will host traditional dances performed during Lunar New Year celebrations to ward off evil spirits through the thunderous sound of loud drums.
Partaking in the joy of Lunar New Year with a feast of traditional foods is known to bring good luck – so the Vikings’ chefs have put together a selection of Asian street food known to bring good fortune and luck for the year ahead.
Chinese New Year buffet at Natural 9
5:30 – 9:30pm Friday 27 to Sunday 29 January
To welcome the Year of the Rooster, Natural 9 will be hosting a Chinese New Year-themed buffet between 27 and 29 January. On offer will be a delicious selection of dishes created exclusively by Natural 9 executive chefs Chad Ogden and David Black.
In true ceremony spirit, the venue will also host a traditional lion dance performance at 9pm Saturday 28 January.
Prosperous Mountain Lion Dance at Canberra Labor Club
7:30pm from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 January
Come celebrate the Lunar New Year at the Belconnen Labor Club. Enjoy the Year of the Rooster Bistro Specials from 27 January to 2 February and join in the celebrations with the Prosperous Mountain Lion Dance from 7.30pm on 27, 28 and 29 of January,
Eight-course share menu at XO
Available from Saturday 28 January until Saturday 11 February
Celebrate the Chinese New Year with a modern flair at Narrabundah’s XO. For just $88 per head share a bespoke menu of modern Asian cuisine to welcome the Year of the Rooster.
The menu will include yee sang salad and sweet and sour prawns, as well as a decadent black sesame cake with a yuzu curd and ginger ice cream for dessert.
Chinese New Year in Hong Kong at Wild Duck Fine Asian Cuisine
Available from Saturday 28 January until Saturday 4 February
This year Wild Duck is upholding tradition in bringing to everyone a specially designed banquet for the Lunar New Year celebration. Moving on from the highly popular Chinese New Year in Beijing in 2016, Wild Duck land at Hong Kong to present to you a selected few exciting classic Canton-style delicacies for the festivities.
Treasures of A Nation: Chinese New Year Concert 2017 at the ANU Llewellyn Hall
7:30pm Thursday 16 February
Welcome the Year of the Rooster in true cultural style the official Chinese New Year Concert to open Canberra’s famous National Multicultural Festival 2017.
Treasures of A Nation merges ancient and modern Chinese art form. The performance will include melodies from both traditional Chinese style and contemporary music – which are guaranteed to ring in the Year of the Rooster in breathtaking cultural style.
Chinese New Year Tea Party at Hotel Kurrajong
2pm Saturday 18 February
Celebrate the Year of the Rooster at Hotel Kurrajong Canberra with a special themed high tea.
Discover exquisite homemade delights featuring oriental inspired savoury and sweet treats, while sipping on luxury teas.
