Chinese New Year in Cairns is a great event not to be missed. The main Chinese New Year Festival takes place in Grafton street, Cairns.
It is colorful, alive, with street stalls selling food, street performances and of course traditional the Chinese dragon dancers. Crowds of people come for this event so get their early especially to experience the better food which can sell out early.
TIP, It often rains in February so our tip is to take an umbrella with you.
The Chinese New Year goes for, so its not just the Grafton Street festival but a collection of activities over a week or so of celebrations. Below we have a link to each of these individual Chinese New Year activities which are diverse. There are tours with the Cairns Museum discovering the Chinese history around Cairns to tours in the Shaolin Junk .
The Chinese New Year is the longest and most important festivity in the Chinese lunar calendar.
Cairns Chinese New Year celebrations are very popular with locals and tourists, as they showcase the city’s deep appreciation of Chinese heritage history, its music, dance ,food and traditional cultural performances.
Cairns has a strong Chinese history which is reflected throughout the Chinese new year in cairns celebrations. There are also great food, market stalls, and a parade featuring the traditional Chinese dragons and the 12 zodiac animals of Chinese Astrology.
The Chinese dragon dancers even visit the Local Grafton street Hotel bringing laughter and excitement to the pubs visitors. Have your camera ready as the Chinese dragon dancer often come right up to you making for great photo opportunities.
The Chinese New Year in Cairns celebrations are supported by the Cairns Regional Council, the Cairns Chinese community.
Its interesting to note, Cairns has a close sister city relationship with the Chinese city of: Zhanjiang, and Zhongshan is Cairns friendship city.
Many local people from Cairns attend these celebrations, and the annual Chinese New Year Festival attracts around 10,000 Chinese nationals to Cairns each year.
Also, If your in Cairns, check out the Chinese Friendship Garden at the Cairns Botanic Gardens.
These beautiful Chinese inspired gardens are stunning and well worth the visit if you are here in Cairns. They are located close to Cairns Botanical Gardens .
For more information and to get the Cairns Chinese New Year event calendar visit the Cairns & District Chinese Association’s website: www.cairnschinesenewyear.org
Discounts!!
For Chinese New Year Visitors we have special discounts OFF Cairns tours and attractions. We are specialists in Chinese group discounts so just ask. Need accommodation over the Chinese Year ask about our great accommodation options for visitors. We have lots of maps and free information, some written in Chinese.
Whether you are wanting to visit historical sites like the Chinese Temple in Atherton or would like our free city maps and vouchers to Cairns attractions at discounted rates. Just phone 07 4055 7158 or email us info@cairnsdiscounttours.com.au or visit us at our Cairns Beaches tourist Information Centre.