Lunar New Year at the Maritime Museum
Join in art-making activities including traditional knot-making, calligraphy and fan painting, enjoy tea tasting, Mandarin language tours, treasure trails, face painting, music, dance and roving performances.
- Tianjin Cultural Fair in the Terrace Room: 10am – 4pm
Immerse yourself in the delights of Lunar New Year and the profound heritage of the Chinese city Tianjin through performances, workshops and displays presented by the China Cultural Centre and the Tianjin Regional Department of Culture and Tourism.
Join experienced artists for interactive demonstrations of tea artistry, learn the art of traditional calligraphy, Pankou (Knot Button making)* and marbled lacquerware craft*, dress up for a photo in gorgeous traditional costumes, and marvel at displays of intangible cultural heritage.
Enjoy tastings of traditional culinary delights such as Chinese pancake, Twisted Dough and Steam buns.
- Lunar Performances: 11am, 2pm, 3.30pm (performance sessions 30-40 mins)
Enjoy beautiful performances of traditional music, dance and acrobatics from Tianjin on the main stage
- Martial arts, Dragon and Lion Dance: 3pm (30 minutes)
Where synchronised dance and drumbeats meet the sea. Celebrations culminate in traditional Lion and Dragon dance, martial arts demonstrations and roving characters.
- Lunar Maker Space and facepainting: 11am – 3pm
Join in more creative Lunar New Year inspired artmaking including model dragon boat making, shadow puppets, block printing and fan painting in family friendly workshops with the museum’s family programs team.
Get your face painted or your hand glitter-tattooed with your favourite Lunar animal.
- Mandarin Language Tours (Daily, Monday 16 – Sunday 22 February, 11am and 2pm)
Experience the fascinating maritime history of Australia with your expert Mandarin-speaking guide. Tours encompass the museum’s collection and core galleries around navigation, immigration, and Indigenous culture.
- Lunar Seas Treasure Map
Follow the map to spot some spectacular zodiac-inspired Lunar treasures in the museum’s collection. Collect the secret code at each station to win a lucky-dip lunar prize.
Presented in partnership with China Cultural Centre, and Tianjin Regional Department of Culture and Tourism, City of Sydney
*Please note specialty art making activities and souvenir prizes for activities are allocated on a first come, first serve basis. Availability of these specialty activities may vary at different times during the day.
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