Sydney’s Lunar New Year Celebrations

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Sydney’s Lunar New Year celebrations are spilling beyond lanterns and street parades this February, with four of the city’s most visited attractions dressing up for the season from 9 to 28 February. From Darling Harbour to the CBD skyline, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Madame Tussauds Sydney and Sydney Tower Eye are rolling out themed displays, photo moments and limited-time offers built around the Year of the Horse, making it easy to turn a regular day out into a festive mini-itinerary.
Start in Darling Harbour, where the celebrations take on a distinctly underwater spin at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. Instead of dragons and fireworks, the spotlight turns to one of the ocean’s most enchanting creatures: seahorses.

What’s On Offer

The aquarium is leaning into colourful Lunar New Year styling with marine-themed displays and photo spots, while also highlighting its conservation work breeding and releasing endangered seahorse species along the New South Wales coastline. It’s the kind of visit that balances fun visuals with a genuinely worthwhile story to take home, with seasonal red pocket offers adding an extra incentive to plan it into your February schedule.
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A short walk away, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo brings the Lunar New Year atmosphere into an Australian wildlife setting, weaving festive colour and playful touches through its habitats. Expect themed photo spots, decorative flourishes and a celebratory vibe that doesn’t feel forced, just gently layered over the experience of seeing some of the country’s most iconic animals up close. It’s an easy option for families or visitors who want something light, local and packed with photo opportunities without committing to a full festival night out.
Explore WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo Lunar New Year experiences here.

For a more glamour-forward stop, Madame Tussauds Sydney is leaning into the red-carpet spirit of the season. Set against Darling Harbour’s lively waterfront, the attraction invites visitors to celebrate Lunar New Year “like a celebrity”, with seasonal framing at the entrance and a chance to snap your best festive shots alongside big-name wax figures including Jackie Chan, Chris Hemsworth and Angelina Jolie. If you’re travelling with friends and your group’s love language is photos, this is the stop that delivers the most shareable moments in the shortest time.
Get Madame Tussauds Sydney Lunar New Year tickets here.

Finish the day above it all at Sydney Tower Eye, where the Lunar New Year décor returns to the observation deck, including the much-loved Wishing Tree. It’s a calmer, more reflective way to close out a multi-attraction day, especially with sweeping views that make the city feel brand new again. With the newly refurbished Observation Deck, it’s also one of the easiest places to get that classic Sydney skyline shot, minus the crowds and chaos of peak events.
Visit Sydney Tower Eye for Lunar New Year here