Where To Celebrate Lunar New Year In Brisbane 2026
Eloise Luke
Contributor | Urban List
The Year of the Horse is officially upon us, which traditionally brings a year of momentum, fresh opportunities and forward movement (sounds alright!). If you’re all about attracting good luck and fortune by celebrating the Lunar New Year, it doesn't hurt to squeeze in some food and fun while you are at it.
These are Urban List's picks for the best Lunar New Year events and dining for 2026.
BrisAsia Festival
Various Locations Across Brisbane | 13–22 February
Image credit: BrisAsia Festival | Supplied
Brisbane’s biggest celebration of Asian culture is back for 2026, and this year it’s rolling out its most expansive program yet. Across 10 days, BrisAsia will take over 17 suburbs with 28 vibrant events spanning music, comedy, food, dance and street culture — all designed to bring the city together for Lunar New Year.
New additions for 2026 include the soulful Lunar Soul Party at the Thomas Dixon Centre, the inaugural BrisAsia Comedy Gala at Brisbane Powerhouse, market pop-ups and live DJs at Southside Restaurant in Fish Lane, plus a youth-focused BrisAsia Sk8 Zone with skate workshops for kids at Bracken Ridge. Festival favourites like the Sunnybank Rooftop Lunar Party and BrisAsia Dance Battles are also returning, so you can expect the same electric energy across the city.
Insider Intel
- There's more than 350 artists involved, and many free or low-cost experiences on the lineup.
Lunar New Year At Queen’s Wharf
Queens Wharf Road, Brisbane CBD | 17 to 28 February
Image credit: Queen's Wharf | Supplied
Queen’s Wharf Brisbane is igniting your Lunar New Year celebrations with an immersive, precinct-wide takeover. The main event? A sonic fire ceremony featuring live performances, limited-edition culinary experiences, roving entertainment, and three hero shows each night—accompanied by an original four-minute symphonic score by award-winning Australian Chinese composer Ray Lin. Transforming the Leisure Deck into a full-blown open-air oasis of music and movement, you especially don’t want to miss the five-metre steel Fire Horse erupting in flame, alongside dragon and lion dancers.
Of course, all that excitement is sure to work up an appetite, and Queen’s Wharf’s residents are ready to serve—from a lobster dining experience at Sokyo to Fat Noodle’s limited-time seven-course banquet menu. Meanwhile, Luc Lac and Hua will be playing host to a pop-up family portrait studio where guests can capture a festive keepsake in a modern nod to tradition.
Lunar New Year Celebrations At Stanley
5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City | 17–22 February
Image credit: Stanley Restaurant | Instagram
Celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse waterfront-style at Stanley, where Head Chef Louis Tikaram is rolling out a limited-edition Lunar New Year menu alongside traditional lion dances, live seafood and signature banquets.
Running from 17 to 22 February, the festivities centre on a special selection of seasonal dishes curated to mark the occasion, served alongside Stanley’s full à la carte menu and banquet offerings. Expect vibrant flavours, premium ingredients and plenty of celebratory plates designed for sharing.
Each evening, traditional lion dance performances will light up the dining room, bringing energy, symbolism and good fortune to the table. Performances take place nightly at 6:30pm and 8:30pm, with an additional 1pm daytime performance on Sunday.
Insider Intel
- Book an early dinner seating to catch the first lion dance, then head upstairs for drinks at Stan’s Lounge while the waterfront lights up.
Central x Southside
Brisbane CBD & South Brisbane | 17 February to 1 March
Image credit: Central | Markus Ravik
Good fortune is a guarantee anytime you visit the moody Central or lush Southside, but this Chinese New Year even more prosperity is on the horizon. From 17 February to 1 March, enjoy lunch or dinner at either restaurant and you’ll receive a traditional red envelope containing a special gift at random, from free cocktails to dining vouchers or even a bespoke private dining experience valued at $3,600.
Plus, both venues will be serving up a special Chinese New Year banquet menu for the occasion. At Southside, you can expect the likes of coral trout and prawn dumplings, their signature truffle and prawn toast, and the vibrant Velvet Lantern cocktail with cognac, yuzu, plum syrup and lemon juice—with lion dancers on 20 and 27 February. Meanwhile, Central will be celebrating with a traditional fish salad guests can toss to increase their fortune for the year, as well as crowd-favourites like wagyu beef gyoza and Hong Kong-style French toast with sesame ice cream.
Lunar New Year at Sunnybank
Sunnybank Plaza & Sunny Park | 16–22 February
Image credit: Experience Sunnybank | Supplied
Sunnybank isn’t just the place to find the best hot pots in Brisbane; Sunnybank Plaza and Sunny Park also host the biggest traditional Lunar New Year celebrations in town.
Taking over the precinct from Monday 16 to Sunday 22 February, you can expect a variety of ways to celebrate including lion dance performances, Chinese calligraphy, silk embroidery demonstrations, and family-friendly activities like traditional painting or lucky charm bracelet making. You also won’t be going home with an empty stomach as Sunnybank’s 70+ dine-in and takeaway residents pull out all the stops, best experienced with a Sunnybank Food Discovery Tour that showcases the festival’s most beloved dishes.
Sunnybank’s iconic rooftop party is also returning on Saturday 28 February, featuring Brisbane’s first-ever Lunar New Year drone display in a breathtaking aerial performance, before the annual fireworks light up the night.
Golden Stallion Banquet at Donna Chang
171 George Street, Brisbane CBD | 17–21 February
Image credit: Donna Chang | Supplied
For three days this Lunar New Year, feast on an exclusive banquet at Donna Chang—Brisbane CBD’s stunning restaurant known for its contemporary approach to Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine.
With colourful dragon dance performances during two sittings each evening, soak in the vibrant energy as you dig into the likes of Biang Biang noodles and roast Chinese duck in Davidson plum sauce. The multi-course spread is $138 per adult, with a $69 banquet for the little ones.
Fat Noodle Lunar New Year Feast
The Star Brisbane | Saturday 21 February, 12pm–3pm
Image credit: The Star | Instagram
Celebrate Lunar New Year in Brisbane with a one-off feast at Fat Noodle, hosted by celebrity chef Luke Nguyen. Taking place on Saturday 21 February, this lunchtime celebration brings modern flair to classic Vietnamese flavours, set inside Fat Noodle’s vibrant, polished dining room at The Star.
Guests will tuck into a bespoke menu curated by Luke Nguyen himself, spotlighting Vietnamese favourites alongside a festive Prosperity Noodle Salad Toss—a Lunar New Year tradition symbolising abundance and good fortune. The experience includes a three-hour beverage package featuring premium wines, imported beers, juices and soft drinks, making it a proper settle-in-and-celebrate affair.
Insider Intel
- This is a shared-table experience with limited seats, so you might be sitting with people you don't know.
Lunar New Year at Fish Lane Arts Precinct
59 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane | Saturday 21 February, 6pm–9pm
Image credit: Explore Fish Lane | Instagram
From daylight to lantern light, Fish Lane Arts Precinct is lighting up for Lunar New Year with an evening celebration welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse—a symbol of passion, momentum and forward motion. Presented in partnership with Fish Lane Arts Precinct, this free, all-ages event brings culture, food and live entertainment together on the street.
Expect traditional lion dance performances, vibrant cultural programming and a special market-style pop-up from Southside Restaurant, led by renowned chef Benny Lam. Bold, authentic flavours will fuel the festivities as DJs, street performers and live music keep the energy flowing well into the night.
Insider Intel
- Arrive early to catch the lion dancers, then linger as the live music and DJs take over the precinct.
Rooftop Cocktails & Canapes at Spicers Balfour Hotel
37 Balfour Street, New Farm | Tuesday 17 February, 5pm–6:30pm
Image credit: Spicers Balfour Hotel | Supplied
Gorgeous views of the city skyline will pair with elegant fairy lights and red lanterns this Lunar New Year at The Balfour Kitchen & Bar for one very special night.
This Lunar New Year rooftop party will see traditional favourites served as substantial canapes, including five-spice roasted duck spring rolls, crispy chicken and chestnut sui mei, and shiitake mushroom and cabbage dumplings. For $55 per person, a signature cocktail will also be pouring on the night: introducing the Good Fortune with floral lychee, bright lemon, clean vodka over green tea, and aromatic Peychaud’s bitters.
Insider Intel
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Bonus points if you treat yourself to a beautiful stay at this boutique hotel, where Art Deco elegance meets contemporary charm.
Main image credit: Stanley Restaurant | Instagram
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