Gold Coasters will soon be led down a rabbit hole of festivity, food and fireworks, as celebrations for the 2023 Lunar New Year kick off in Southport this Sunday, 22 January!
It will be a spectacular start to the Year of the Rabbit– said to be the luckiest of the 12 zodiac signs –from 3pm to 8pm on Davenport and Young Streets in Southport’s Chinatown.
Division 6 Councillor Brooke Patterson said 16 restaurants and venues will throw open their doors for the occasion, and this year they will be going all out.
“There will be plenty of music, market stalls, drummers, an interactive wishing tree and fan, skirt and umbrella dancing, with lion and dragon dancers and a spectacular fireworks finale providing plenty of colour and noise,” she said.
“The children will be kept busy with a terrific line-up of children’s activities, trying their hands at paper cutting rabbits, Chinese calligraphy and trying on traditional costumes coordinated by Griffith University’s Tourism Confucius Institute.
The Lion dance is historically used in blessings for good luck for the coming year. PHOTO: Supplied
“And the ever-popular $5 food safari will have patrons hopping around to all the best value plate deals that Southport has to offer, from spring rolls and noodle soup to bubble teas and ice jelly.
“Chinatown is undeniably one of the most vibrant spaces on the Gold Coast and this year’s celebrations will once again showcase all the diverse, authentic and affordable food and beverage offerings the area has so quickly become famous for,” Cr Patterson said.
Watch the video below to learn more about the 2023 Lunar New Year Celebrations:
Food rescue organisation OzHarvest is set to sell fortune cookies on the day and locals are encouraged to catch the G:link to Southport station or make their journey active by walking, riding, scooting or skating.
The free entry celebrations are presented by City of Gold Coast and proudly supported by 102.9 Hot Tomato who will have Moyra and Big Trev broadcasting all the action live.
The duo will also host a long table tasting of traditional Chinese dishes with a group of lucky listeners.
So tuck into Southport’s Chinatown, and get ready to ring in your luckiest year yet!
For further information on the 2023 Lunar New Year celebrations, visit: cityofgoldcoast.com.au
