AUSTRALIA | Sydney has welcomed an influx of tourists to celebrate the Lunar New Year, with the city's visitor economy booming.
The NSW Government is putting Sydney in the global spotlight this Lunar New Year, with hundreds of thousands of international visitors set to boost the city’s visitor economy through strong demand across hospitality, retail, flights and accommodation.
The Year of the Horse begins on 17 February 2026, ushering in a rare “Fire Horse” astrological period on the lunar calendar that only occurs every 60 years. It is regarded as being auspicious for tourism and is believed to inspire adventurous, transformative travel plans.
Lunar New Year is celebrated by more than one billion people across the world each year, particularly in countries such as China, South Korea and Vietnam.
Last year, Lunar New Year turbocharged visitation to NSW. Holidaymakers from mainland China to NSW rose 128 percent in January 2025 compared to December 2024. Several markets also surged ahead of January 2019 levels. Leisure visitors from South Korea in January 2025 rose 64 percent, while those from Vietnam rose 104 percent.
This year’s celebrations will light up Greater Sydney, led by Sydney Lunar Festival, the largest celebration outside Asia. Communities across Burwood, Chatswood, Cabramatta, Campsie, Eastwood, Hurstville, and more will host immersive experiences including vibrant street festivals, live performances, lion dances, dragon boat races and light installations.
The new Sydney Fish Market is set to be a major drawcard, hosting lion dances, Sydney Seafood School experiences, behind-the-scenes tours and family-friendly activities from 17 – 21 February, followed by a community celebration and a three-week concert series.
Darling Harbour will once again come alive with free lion jetpack shows, fireworks, dragon boats and traditional performances, while the Chinese Garden of Friendship will offer kids’ craft workshops, zodiac readings, live music and cultural performances in its lantern-lit surrounds.
Lunar New Year is expected to drive continued momentum in the NSW visitor economy following international expenditure reaching a record AUD 14 billion in the year ending September 2025. The nation-leading result included Chinese visitor expenditure of a record AUD 5 billion, up 43.9 percent year on year.
Total visitor expenditure in NSW reached AUD 59.4 billion during the period, up 7.3 percent year-on-year. The result exceeded the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035 phase one goal of AUD 59 billion, more than 12 months ahead of target.
Sydney Airport will welcome more than 600,000 passengers from Greater China alone during the peak January through February Lunar New Year period, when the airport will receive 145 return flights per week from Greater China.
Destination NSW held a pre-Lunar New Year celebration at the new Sydney Fish Market on 10 February with key travel agents and tour operators who represent and service the China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia visitor markets.
The event included a tour of the venue and an opportunity to sample the seafood that makes NSW such an unforgettable dining destination.
“Cultural celebrations such as Lunar New Year highlight the strength of our diverse communities and play a key role in achieving the NSW Government’s ambitious target of AUD 91 billion in annual visitor expenditure by 2035,” Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said.
“Visitation from North and Southeast Asia skyrocketed during last year’s festival, and the Year of the Fire Horse is expected to bring more good fortune to the visitor economy.”
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