Kung Hei Fat Choy! Welcome to Wellington’s exciting celebrations for the Year of the Water Snake.

2013 Chinese New Year celebrates the Year of the Water Snake. To mark this occasion, Wellington’s Chinese New Year Festival celebrations are planned for the weekend of Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th February, where a colourful and dynamic programme promises to delight all ages.

2013 Chinese New Year Festival Events

On Saturday 23 February the New Clothes for New Year Fashion Show takes place at the TSB Bank Arena, Queens Wharf at 7pm. 

Then on Sunday 24 February it is Chinese New Year Festival Day and the Wellington Waterfront will come alive with festivities. The Asian Market will be running from 10.30am - 4pm in the TSB Bank Arena, a Street Parade will start in Courtenay Place at 2pm and wind its way to Frank Kitts Park where there will be Cultural Entertainment from 3pm - 4:30pm.

Wellington welcomes the performing arts group Shenzhen Song & Dance Ensemble as the headline act for the Festival. Book at Ticketek to attend this show at 7pm at the TSB Bank Arena, Sunday 24 February.

Celebrating the Chinese New Year festival has become a major cultural experience in Wellington's events calendar.

Eleven years ago, Wellington city was treated to a simple afternoon’s event to celebrate Chinese New Year. Festival Day is this signature event, and was the seed that has developed into this exciting event we’ve all come to know. Festival Day now represents the finale to an energetic and broad-ranging festival and presents international and local entertainment, together with community spirit and participation.

Wear the lucky colour red and get ready to celebrate with the Chinese community.