Experience the vibrancy of Chinese New Year in Ōtepoti Dunedin. Whether you're visiting from across the country or across the globe, this is a special time to explore Dunedin’s cultural heartbeat and join locals in welcoming the new year.
Each year, Dunedin comes alive with colour, culture, and celebration for the Dunedin Chinese Cultural Festival – our city's signature Lunar New Year event. Rooted in tradition and proudly hosted in partnership with Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden, the festival is a vibrant blend of heritage and contemporary creativity. With performances, workshops, installations, and community activations, it’s a unique opportunity to experience Chinese culture through a distinctly Dunedin lens.
Chinese Cultural Festival 中国文化节 program
Sunday 15 February – Tuesday 3 March 2026
Spanning over two dynamic weeks, the Dunedin Chinese Cultural Festival offers a rich programme of cultural experiences:
City Launch – New Year Blessings 新年祝福 · 開幕儀式 15 Feb
15 February | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Free family fun in George Street and the city malls featuring dragon and lion dances, drumming, and workshops. Follow the Lion from The Meridian to Wall Street and enjoy performances and activities.
Chinese New Year Celebration at Lan Yuan 新年慶典 21 Feb
21 February | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Join us at Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden for an evening of celebration, culture and fun.
Toitū Lantern Display: A Shared Light 共生同輝 20 Feb – 3 Mar
21 February – 3 March | Daily
Experience the true magic of Chinese New Year 新年庆典 with this amazing display of lanterns at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum. Illuminating the New Year with lanterns.
Chinese New Year Celebration at Lan Yuan 新年慶典
Saturday 21 February 2026 | Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden & The Octagon
This is the flagship event of the festival – and the one to plan your trip around.
Each year, thousands gather in the heart of the city for the Chinese New Year Celebration – a spectacular day and night of performances, food, and festivity. The event begins with a street parade through the city followed by a vibrant celebration at Lan Yuan, where you'll find:
- Traditional and contemporary performances on stage
- Lion and dragon dances
- Chinese market-style food stalls with local and regional vendors
- Fireworks lighting up the night sky (a crowd favourite!)
- Interactive activities for all ages
Celebration Program
7:00pm: Garden open with gold coin entry, food trucks
7:00pm: Dragon parade from Princes Street to the Garden
7.15pm: Dragon Dance
7.30pm: Lion Dance, cultural performances, and celebrations
9:20pm: Headliner act: Ersha Island 二沙岛
10:00pm: Grand Finale Fireworks
It’s the biggest and most visually striking moment of the festival – a joyful, high-energy celebration that brings together local communities and international visitors alike.
What's On : Chinese Cultural Festival 中国文化节
Dunedin Public Art Gallery Drop-in Creativity: Paint your own Lion!
Date: Sunday 15 February
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Location: Dunedin Public Art Gallery Foyer
Cost: Free
What’s included: Lion dance performance followed by creative activities including Chinese calligraphy and lion painting.
Notes: All ages; children must be accompanied. Drop-in event; no booking required.
Lan Yuan — Chinese New Year 新年庆典 Quiet Hour
Date: Friday 20 February
Time: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Location: Lan Yuan, Dunedin Chinese Garden
Entry: Gold coin entry
Reduced noise and sound sources; relaxed environment. Includes wish-making red ribbons.
In celebration of Chinese New Year – the Year of the Horse, explore Lan Yuan at your own pace in a relaxed setting. Enjoy the late summer afternoon with a walk around Lan Yuan and add a red ribbon to make your Chinese New Year wish come true. This quiet hour session is designed to support our neurodiverse community and make it a more enjoyable experience for visitors who are more sensitive to sounds and sensations. During this time, noise levels and multiple sound sources will be reduced. We greatly appreciate the community’s understanding and respect that this hour is specifically for our neurodivergent visitors.
Lan Yuan — Lan Yuan in Watercolour
Dates: Sunday 15 February – Tuesday 3 March
Time: 10am – 5pm
Location: Lan Yuan
Entry: Normal entry fees apply
Watercolour pencils and paper available for visitors to sketch their own garden-inspired artwork.
Lan Yuan, a replica of a traditional Chinese Scholars garden is the perfect place to explore and restore over the summer season. We’ll have water colour pencils and paper on hand for you to sketch whatever inspires you as you wander the garden. The ting reflected in the pond, the bamboo growing around the garden, or perhaps mischievous Ping the duck chasing the Lan Yuan goldfish.
Lan Yuan — I Spy Zodiac Horses @ Lan Yuan (Kids trail)
Dates: Sunday 15 February – Tuesday 3 March
Time: 10am – 5pm
Location: Lan Yuan
Entry: Normal entry fees apply
Find eight hidden zodiac horses around the Garden and collect a special Chinese New Year treat from the gift shop.
Horses are running wild this Chinese New Year at Lan Yuan! Visit with the whole fam and see if you can find all the horses hiding amongst the foliage or frolicking among the flowers. Once you find all eight horses, head to the gift shop for a special Chinese New Year treat.
Year of the Horse Festival Offers 马年特惠
Enjoy a range of wildlife, nature, heritage, culture, ceremonies and interactive experiences throughout the Chinese Cultural Festival 中国文化节 at various locations around Dunedin.
Clearwater Wildlife Tours: Wild One Tour (Festival Offer)
Dates: 15 February – 3 March 2026
Offer: 20% off Clearwater Wildlife Tours during the festival period
How to redeem: Enter promo code CNY20 at checkout
Celebrate the Chinese New Year with a 20% discount on Clearwater Wildlife Tours over the festival period. Embark on an unforgettable adventure through stunning natural landscapes, where you’ll encounter a wide variety of native wildlife on Clearwater’s private farmland and secluded beach.
The OPERA: Mandarin Tour (Festival Offer)
Dates: 15 February – 3 March 2026
Offer: 20% off wildlife and penguin tours
How to redeem: Book tickets via theopera.co.nz/tours and use code yearofthehorse
Guided tours to see penguins, fur seals, sea lions, shore and land birds, native fauna and more. Celebrate the festival period with 20% off OPERA wildlife and penguin tours.
Monarch Wildlife Tours: Mandarin Tour
Dates: 15 February – 3 March 2026
Offer: 20% off wildlife cruises
How to redeem: Book via wildlife.co.nz/wildlife-cruise and use code yearofthehorse
Enjoy 20% off wildlife cruises from Wellers Rock Wharf during the festival period. Experience rare southern ocean wildlife including albatross, fur seals, and more.
Royal Albatross Centre: Guided Tours
Dates: 15 February – 3 March 2026
Activity: Guided tours at the Royal Albatross Centre
Join a guided tour at the Royal Albatross Centre, located 32km from Dunedin city and home to the world’s only mainland breeding colony of Northern Royal Albatross. Tours include information and a short film before a walk to the glassed observatory to view part of the nesting area. See these remarkable seabirds with three-metre wingspans soaring around the headland or raising their young.
Olveston Historic Home: From China to Olveston: Mahjongg Experience
Dates / Times:
- Monday 16 February 2026 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm
- Wednesday 18 February 2026 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm
- Saturday 21 February 2026 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Come and join us to celebrate Chinese Cultural Week by enjoying the classic game of Mahjongg — also known as Má què — a traditional Chinese tile game that combines skill, strategy, and a little luck. This is a wonderful opportunity to either play the game or watch some of the city’s Mahjongg experts in action. With nine tables available, come and try your hand with friends and family. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, there’s fun to be had for everyone.