Welcome to the Year of the Goat Melbourne's Chinese New Year Celebrations Best Baa None

Expect dancing dragons and exploding fireworks when Chinese New Yeararrives in Melbourne. Officially, the Year of the Goat starts on 19 February, but festivals, exhibitions and celebrations can be found across the city throughout the entire month. From the hub of the Chinese community on Little Bourke Street to neighbourhoods including St Albans and Springvale, there will be an exciting range of activities on offer for the whole family.

The big countdown

It's a case of getting in early by the Yarra, with the Crown Riverside Fireworks lighting up the night sky on 14 February.

The lions will drive away evil spirits and the sounds of firecrackers and music will fill the air just before midnight on 19 January for the Chinatown Countdown. DJs and street performers will get the party started on the corner of Little Bourke and Russell streets.

The next day (20 February) head to Docklands as the 100-metre-long Docklands Dragon awakens for the New Year. There'll be dragon boats, fire twirlers, dance troupes and Chinese drummers all bringing the celebrations to life.

Melbourne exclusives

Fed Square will unveil Electric Dragon, a new interactive performance – following the journey of Fang the dragon – by Melbourne artist Georgie Pinn. With audience members participating by creating their own dragons, each evening's show (26 February to 1 March) will be different.

Oscar- and Grammy Award-winning Chinese composer and conductor Tan Dun will present the Melbourne premiere of his new work Nu Shu: The Secret Songs of Women alongside Ravel's Bolero and Puccini arias sung by Bing Bing Wang at the MSO's Chinese New Year concert (28 February).

A festival of flavour

The Chinese New Year feast is one of its most important traditions, with families travelling many miles to sit down at the table together. Friends and family will gather when Little Bourke Street hosts the Chinatown Feast (27 February), a long lunch held outdoors. Cultural performers will provide the backdrop to two tempting menus prepared by chefs from Shark Fin Inn and Locanda at Rydges Melbourne.

Across town at the Queen Victoria Market, the arrival of the New Year will be celebrated across 10 days (19 February–1 March). There'll be dragon and lion dances, lantern displays and Asian delicacies to try, but this is also the perfect place to stock up on everything you need to prepare your own banquet.

Family fun

Whatever age kids may be there'll be something to inspire them – or at least stave off back-to-school boredom. From a 20 per discount on tickets to SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium (1–28 February) to a free screening of Kung Fu Pandawhen Chinatown celebrates White Night (21 February), there are plenty of child-friendly options on offer. Plus, kids who dress as goats or sheep get free entry to Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo from 16 to 28 February.

This is just a taste of the entertainment and activities taking place across Melbourne during the Chinese New Year Festival. For information on more events, head to the dedicated website: cnymelbourne.com.au.