Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Welcome to the month of Chinese New year! The most important day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar culminating in widespread celebrations across China, but did you know that Chinese New Year is widely celebrated across Australia as well?
Cities all over Australia play host to numerous Chinese New Year celebrations and Perth is no exception. Whether you’ve been celebrating Chinese New Year for years or this is your first time, Perth has lots to offer.
This year is the year of the monkey! There are 12 animal zodiacs that correspond with Chinese New Year, that work in a cycle. The monkey corresponds with people born in 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992 and 2004. These people are known to be witty, intelligent and have a magnetic personality, just like monkeys.
The largest and most popular way to celebrate Chinese New Year in Perth is at the annual free street carnival that runs through Northbridge and the Chinatown precinct. This fair attracts over 80,000 people each year and has something for everyone. This year it takes place on Sunday 14th February 2016 and is a full day fair from 12pm to 9pm. There will be over 100 stalls offering food, beverages, arts, crafts and a whole range of products that reflect the wonderful diversity of Perth’s Asian community.
From 12pm-4pm the Northbridge Piazza is transformed into a Kids Zone with activities such as origami making, face painting, a waterslide, rides and many other activity stalls. As evening falls the Piazza will be turned into a multicultural concert with dance groups, primary school performances, fire breathing, martial arts and of course, lion and dragon dances. There will also be Gods of Fortune at the fair handing out red packets (known as hong bao or lai see) to children as blessings and tokens of good luck and great fortune.
If you would prefer to avoid the crowds this year why not head down to one of Perth’s beautiful parks or beaches. With temperatures expected in the high 30’s there’s no better place to be than Perth’s beautiful Cottesloe Beach or Kings Park with great views over the city. After all Chinse New Year is all about celebrations with family, so why not grab yours and celebrate Chinese New Year in this beautiful city.
If you’re looking for a great places to stay in Perth over Chinese New Year Cottesloe Beach House Stays has a variety of homes to suit. Ranging from small apartments to luxury ocean front homes Cottesloe Beach House Stays has plenty of options to suit you and all your guests.