As the biggest celebration of the Lunar New Year outside Asia, the festival welcomes tourists from around the world, as well as Sydney’s multicultural Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, and Malaysian communities for dazzling nights of stalls, concerts, street performances and free activities, kicking off 16 days of celebrations to mark the City of Sydney’s 2020 Sydney Lunar Festival.

More than a million visitors are expected to enjoy the sights, sounds and flavours of Asia during the City of Sydney’s Sydney Lunar festival from 25 January to 9 February 2020. For the first time, Lunar Lanes will weave through the streets of Chinatown to Darling Harbour on Lunar New Year’s Day, linking historic Haymarket with the new harbourside precinct.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said this year’s celebrations will feature close to 100 community events across Sydney.

“Over the years we’ve seen this festival grow from a small community festival in Chinatown to one of the largest lunar celebrations in the world,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Each year this festival just gets bigger and better. In 2019 the festival attracted close to 1.5 million people who spent nearly $42 million during the event. It’s a wonderful boost for our local economy, retailers and restaurants.

“We’ve put a lot of work into creating an exciting and diverse program, from our laneway party opening night to community dance performances, the dragon boat races in Darling Harbour and of course, the food, there’s truly something for everyone.

“I can’t wait to again welcome residents and visitors from around the globe to Sydney for this community celebration, starting in Chinatown where it all began more than two decades ago.”

2020 is the Year of the Metal Rat, starting on 25 January. The Year of the Rat is the first sign of the lunar zodiac and heralds the start of the 12-year lunar calendar cycle.

Paul Craig, CEO of Savills Australia and New Zealand, an active member of the Savills Asia Pacific Board, said it is an honour to partner with the City of Sydney.

“Savills is one of the largest property agencies in Asia Pacific, with over 30,000 staff in 70 offices across the region, the Australian and NZ business works daily with our colleagues throughout Asia and we are proud to support this significant cultural event in Sydney.

“As the biggest celebration of the Lunar New Year outside Asia, this is a natural fit for our business and we're looking forward to strengthening our connections with the Asian and wider Sydney community,” he said.

During the festival, the city also comes alive with giant illuminated Chinese zodiac animal lanterns and Savills is proud to sponsor the Golden Rooster, which will be positioned in Circular Quay (on the East Boardwalk outside the French Connection store) from Friday 31 January – Sunday 9 February.

There are more than 95 events planned for the 2020 Sydney Lunar Festival celebrations and according to Jordan Lee, Joint State Head, Asia Markets at Savills Australia this is a significant time of year for Chinese people, and is usually the only time they take off to be with family and friends.

“The Year of The Rat is going to be a strong, prosperous and lucky year for almost all Chinese zodiac signs.

“It is about spending quality time eating good food and being with family and friends; celebrating the New Lunar Year of the Rat.

“This is a great year for growth and evolving. Anyone who has plans to buy property, start a business or invest money in a long-term project have high chances of being satisfied in the future,” he said.