23/01/2025
Georges River Council is proudly hosting one of Sydney’s largest Council-led Lunar New Year celebrations, welcoming the Year of the Snake on Saturday 1 February 2025.
This year marks the 22nd year of the celebration being held in the area, with a crowd of 50,000 expected to attend.
Georges River Council Mayor Elise Borg said, “Lunar New Year is one of our most celebrated and cherished events for locals and visitors to Hurstville alike.
“The Festival brings people together from all walks of life, with the community coming together to celebrate our local area’s cultural diversity and immerse themselves in tradition and the rich culture Georges River has to offer.
“The Year of the Snake symbolises wisdom, transformation, adaptability, and a time for prosperity and renewal.
“Visitors can expect a range of activities to enjoy, including lion dancing, lucky red envelope giveaways from the very popular God of Wealth and some delectable food options.”
Council and Major Sponsor SBS selected Zhuzhu (Guiyong Zhu) from Taopic to create the 2025 Lunar New Year art mural. The South Australian artist, with over 20 years of painting experience, specialises in large-scale murals and site-specific public art.
The mural celebrates the Year of the Snake, symbolising transformation, resilience, and unity. An abstract snake, formed by flowing water and mountains spelling ‘2025’, reflects the Georges River and traditional Chinese landscape painting. Its head features intricate patterns of a lotus, Chinese knot, and wintersweet flower, iconic motifs of Lunar New Year. Created with community in mind, the mural highlights Georges River’s diversity and Spirit serving as a vibrant centrepiece for Lunar New
Year Celebrations.
For the first time, the mural will be painted live with crowd participation over 27 – 30 January, 11.00am – 3.00pm, located Level 4, outside Event Cinemas Westfield Hurstville.
Event details
When: Saturday 1 February 2025.
Time: 12.00pm to 9.00pm.
Where: Forest Road, Hurstville.
Cost: Free.
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Activity
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Details
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Public Art Mural
Hurstville Interchange Park,
on display all day
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Eternal Renewal (2025)
Eternal Renewal depicts This mural celebrates the Year of the Snake, symbolising transformation, resilience, and unity.
An abstract snake, formed by flowing water and mountains spelling ‘2025’, reflects the Georges River and traditional Chinese landscape painting. Its head features intricate patterns of a lotus, Chinese knot, and wintersweet flower, iconic motifs of Lunar New Year.
Surrounded by koi fish, lotus flowers, and auspicious clouds, the design represents prosperity and good fortune. Chinese calligraphy, " 蛇年吉祥" (Auspicious Year of the Snake), adds cultural significance, while the red and gold palette evokes wealth and happiness. Created with community in mind, this mural highlights
Georges River's diversity and spirit, serving as a vibrant centrepiece for Lunar New Year celebrations.
Artist Zhuzhu (Guiyong Zhu) from Taopic is a South Australian artist specializing in large-scale murals and site-specific public art.
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Aleth new year Snake
Hurstville Plaza, on display all day
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See Aleth, the new year Snake. The name Aleth is derived from the scientific term Alethinophidia, more commonly known as Serpentes—the snake. This elongated, limbless reptile, covered in overlapping scales, is a revered symbol of good luck.
Aleth watches over the Plaza, playfully keeping an eye on our community. In a meditation pose, Aleth invites visitors into the heart of Hurstville CBD, embodying a connection to health and inner peace. In Chinese mythology, the snake is often associated with wisdom, charm, elegance, and transformation.
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Lunar Food Stalls
Forest Road, from 12.00pm |
Explore delectable cuisines in the heart of Hurstville with Sydney South’s best Asian cuisine on offer to tantalise the tastebuds. |
Lion Dance
Forest Road, various times from 3.00pm |
Witness the special eye-dotting ceremony by Yau Kung Mun Association to awaken the lions to the beat of the drums, bringing good luck. |
Stage Performances
Hurstville Plaza, from 2.00pm |
Official opening ceremony kicks off with lion dancing and speeches at 3.00pm but local community organisations showcasing their performances and stories through folk song, cultural dance, singing, martial arts and instruments will commence at 2.00pm and finish at 9.00pm. |
Roving Performances
Forest Road, various times |
Activities and roving entertainment including Lion Dance Kids and God of Wealth returns to hand out lucky red envelopes for good luck and prosperity. Council’s mascot, Georgie the Dragon, will also be holding a meet and greet, as well as The Falun Dafa marching band down Forest Road. |
Cooking Demonstrations
Forest Road, various times |
Event Sponsor, Asian Inspirations, will showcase vibrant cooking demonstrations. |
*NEW 2025* Business Precinct
Forest Road, during event hours |
Nestled at the heart of the festival, the Local Business Precinct will serve as an exciting hub to experience the best of Hurstville's local offerings. Here, visitors can pick up the Lucky Voucher booklet, granting access to exclusive discounts from local businesses, allowing visitors to explore the vibrant community while enjoying great savings. The precinct will offer a dynamic atmosphere with broadcasted stage entertainment, Insta-worthy photo opportunities with vibrant decorations, comfortable seating to relax and savour delicious local food, and roving entertainers to keep the excitement flowing. It's the perfect spot to immerse yourself in the festival while supporting local gems! |
For more information, visit Council’s Lunar New Year event webpage.
The 2025 Lunar New Year Festival is proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Open Streets Program led by Transport for NSW.
Minister for Roads, Arts, Music and the Night-Time Economy, Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:
“We’re excited to support this event in Hurstville.
“Too often our main streets are something we drive through, rather than drive to. Our streets are a critical part of our public and social infrastructure. Great streets make great towns and centres and reflect the local community and culture.
“The Open Streets program is about temporarily transforming our main streets into vibrant and welcoming public event spaces.
“The colour and diversity of these 130 events celebrates the unique personality of each town or suburb. This is what our vibrancy agenda is all about, backing locals to create events and entertainment that works for their local community.”
Georges River Council would like to thank major sponsors VJB Group, Entertainment Park, Chemist Warehouse and Westfield Hurstville for their support of the 2025 Lunar New Year Festival. Their invaluable contributions and dedication to the event will play a vital role in the ongoing success of the Festival.
We also extend our appreciation to Event Sponsors SBS Corporation, Asian Inspirations (Oriental Merchant), Optus and Club Central Hurstville for their generous support of the Festival.
Entertainment Park Director, John Papantoniou, said, “Entertainment Park is thrilled to support this year’s Lunar New Year Festival, celebrating the vibrant culture, traditions, and community spirit that make this event so special. As we welcome the Year of the Snake, we’re honoured to help bring together families and friends to share in the joy, unity, and timeless traditions that define this festival”.
Westfield Hurstville Centre Manager, Alison Muir said, “Westfield Hurstville is thrilled to support Georges River Council’s 22nd Annual Lunar New Year Festival, a vibrant celebration of the Year of the Snake. The festival is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our area. We are proud to play a part in this year's Lunar New Year celebrations, marking an important calendar moment for our community.”
VJB Group Director, Billy Billiris, said, “It’s an incredible honour to be a major sponsor of such an incredible event! The Chinese community have and continue to contribute so much to our community. They share pillars of family, friendship, love and culture. All the pillars we truly love. This event is spectacular, and one truly adored by the community! Happy New Year to everyone celebrating, may it be full of prosperity.”
View the translated media release in Chinese.
Caption: Everyone is welcome to the official opening with Dragon and Lion dancing, as well as the traditional eye dotting ceremony.
Caption: God of Wealth ready to give out lucky red envelopes at Georges River Council’s Lunar New Year Festival 2025.
Caption: Vibrant dragon and lion dancing at the official opening ceremony and roving performances.
Credit: Artwork concept by Guiyong Zhu from Taopic for Georges River Council’s Lunar New Year 2025 art mural.
Artist Zhuzhu (Guiyong Zhu) from Taopic will create Council’s Lunar New Year 2025 mural live over four days with public participation at Westfield Hurstville.