A major new dance work will open the 2026 Wellington Lunar New Year Festival, as Asian Events Trust and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa present the world premiere of HORSES by Daniel Belton and Good Company Arts.

Meet Daniel Belton, artistic director of Good Company Arts. Daniel is bringing two exciting contributions to this year’s programme: the world premiere of his latest dance film, HORSES, and an artist talk at Te Papa exploring his creative process. Together, these events highlight the festival’s commitment to presenting innovative artistic work alongside cultural traditions, offering audiences fresh ways to connect with both heritage and contemporary expression.

Meet Mike Ny, co-owner of Glou Glou. Of Cambodian descent. Mike brings both heritage and hospitality to the heart of the festival. Mike’s journey reflects the spirit of the Lunar New Year Festival — a celebration of heritage, community, and shared experiences. His Cambodian roots, paired with a passion for hospitality, embody the festival’s aim to bring people together through culture, creativity, and the joy of discovery.

Meet Drew Kohing of Mao and Co, one of the vibrant food trucks bringing flavour and energy to the 2026 Lunar New Year Festival. Stationed at Frank Kitts Park as part of the Horsing Around programme, Mao and Co will be fuelling families enjoying a day of face painting, balloon animals, and a lively performance and participation programme including taiko drumming, Muay Thai kickboxing, hip hop, dragon dancing, kung fu, Vietnamese and Filipino folk dancing, and break dancing.

Meet Robert McDermott from Pyrostar International, Wellington-based fireworks specialists who have helped light up the city’s Lunar New Year celebrations since 2014. With deep respect for the traditions and symbolism of Lunar New Year, Pyrostar’s signature fireworks display bring thousands together on the waterfront in a shared moment of renewal, unity and joy. In 2026, their specially curated show will honour the Year of the Fire Horse, transforming the night sky into a powerful celebration of culture, connection and new beginnings.

Meet Vinh Nguyen from Viet Hub NZ, a community leader dedicated to creating inclusive, culturally grounded spaces for Vietnamese families and the wider Wellington community. Through hands-on workshops, interactive games and vibrant performances, Viet Hub NZ brings the spirit of Tết to life

As part of our Faces of the Festival series, we meet Supphawut Supanun, President of the Wellington Thai Community, whose leadership brings Thai culture and community spirit to the heart of the Wellington Lunar New Year Festival. Alongside traditional performances and much-loved Thai food stalls, the Thai community will showcase Muay Thai kickboxing— a powerful expression of discipline, respect and cultural pride. Presented as part of the Frank Kitts Park Horsing Around programme, audiences are invited not only to watch, but to take part, experiencing the energy and values behind this iconic Thai tradition.

At the heart of the Wellington Lunar New Year Festival are the people who bring it to life — artists, performers and community groups whose traditions, creativity and stories shape the celebrations each year.

Meet Jos Coolen, leader of Taikoza Wellington, and one of the powerful forces behind the sound of beating taiko drums booming throughout the 2026 Lunar New Year Festival programme. In our first Faces of the Festival profile, Jos shares how taiko drumming drives away bad spirits, builds momentum for the Festival Fireworks, calling the community together to gallop into the Year of the Horse.

The Wellington Lunar New Year Festival is set to prance into the Year of the Horse with renewed energy, a strengthened programme, and new partnerships. The 2026 festival will bring Wellingtonians together for a vibrant celebration culminating in Festival Day on Sunday 22 February along the city’s much-loved waterfront.

Wellington, 17 February 2025 – The capital came alive this weekend with thousands of Wellingtonians enjoying all the range of activities on offer at the Lunar New Year Festival.

To welcome the Lunar New Year, the Asian Events Trust has released a ChatGPT-assisted forecast for the political year, based on the Chinese zodiac signs of Members of the New Zealand Parliament.

Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau hit a ceremonial gong to commence the Lunar New Year fireworks on Saturday, which saw the waterfront crowded with over 10,000 people.

The Asian Events Trust brings a two-week culinary experience to Wellington for the 2025 Lunar New Year Festival, welcoming the Year of the Snake.

Wellington’s iconic Lunar New Year Fireworks Display has been confirmed for 2025, taking place on Saturday, 1 February at 9:30 pm – thanks to support from Stonewood Group.

The Asian Events Trust has won the Arts and Culture Award at the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards for the Lunar New Year Festival, which drew in over 30,000 attendees to Wellington’s waterfront, with an extra 16,000 online.

Following its win in the Arts and Culture category at the Wellington City Community Awards, the Asian Events Trust is proud to represent Wellington City in the regional finals of the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards.

The highly anticipated Lunar New Year Festival in Wellington is proceeding in 2025.

Asian Events Trust is thrilled to confirm Lee Kum Kee’s continuation in 2025 as the principal sponsor for the event. The festival, which has become a cornerstone of Wellington's cultural calendar, will once again bring together thousands of people to enjoy traditional performances, delicious food, and vibrant displays that honour the Lunar New Year.

Asian Events Trust (AET) is proud to announce that it has been named the winner in the Art & Culture category of the 2024 Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards.

The Post Wellingtonian of the Year Awards (The Wellys) honours those who have made significant contributions to the Wellington region. Asian Events Trust was thrilled to see Ray Thomas awarded the recipient of the Jemima Gazley Spirit of Wellington Award at this years’ event held on 27 March 2024.