Wellington’s CBD will come to life with the thunderous rhythms of taiko drummers and dragon dancers, mirroring the sounds of galloping of horses to welcome in the Lunar New Year of the Horse.

Activations in Courtenay Place, Te Papa and Upper Frank Kitts Park will pave the way for a weekend of lunar new year celebrations in the capital city, finishing with a fabulous Fireworks Display over Wellington Waterfront.

Weather permitting. If required, postponement date, Sunday 22 February at 9.30pm

A fireworks display in Wellington’s harbour to light the night sky to ward off evil spirits, making way for a new year filled with health, happiness, good luck and prosperity for all Wellingtonians. 

Immerse yourself in a bustling street market in the heart of TSB Arena where you will experience a rich tapestry of Asian arts, craft and culture. Explore a kaleidoscope of stalls and displays from local community groups and organisations. 

Shed 6 will be transformed to a food hall where the aromas and an array of mouth-watering Asian cuisines await you. Indulge your taste buds in a culinary journey featuring diverse Asian cuisines. Featuring sizzling stir-fries, savoury dumplings, sweet treats and more, our stall holders will share the rich tastes of their traditions through their love of food.

Bring the whole family to Frank Kitts Park, a family fun zone where laughter and joy abound! Bouncy castle, merry-go-round, face-painting, balloon animals and horse- themed art, craft and games for the young, and young-at-heart. A performance and participation programme will provide opportunities to watch and then give it a go. There’s something for everyone - from Chinese dragon dancing to martial arts, Traditional dance to k-pop, or the intense beats of taiko drumming to serene sounds of music therapy.

A cultural extravaganza showcasing the diversity of the talents of Wellington’s community groups. TSB Arena’s stage will be lit up with a captivating programme of song, dance and music – a visual feast of traditional and contemporary performances.