Chatswood Year of the Horse Festival 2026: A Colourful Celebration in Sydney’s North Shore

Chatswood Year of the Horse Festival

Every summer, Sydney’s north shore comes alive with colour, culture and community spirit, and in 2026, Chatswood is set to shine even brighter. From 12 to 28 February 2026, Willoughby City Council will present the Chatswood Year of the Horse Festival 2026, transforming the city centre into one of Australia’s most exciting Lunar New Year destinations.

For travellers planning a Sydney itinerary in February, this festival is a must. It’s a celebration that blends tradition and modern energy, bringing together local communities, visiting families, food lovers and culture seekers in a program designed to entertain, inspire and connect.

A Lunar New Year Festival Built on Community Spirit

Chatswood’s Lunar New Year festival has become a highlight of Sydney’s annual events calendar, attracting crowds with its lively atmosphere and welcoming sense of place. It’s not just about performances and street food, it’s about shared stories, cultural pride and the collective energy that makes Chatswood one of the city’s most vibrant precincts.

Mayor Tanya Taylor captured the spirit of the festival perfectly, describing it as a celebration of culture, connection and community spirit, while recognising the cultural, social and economic contribution that diverse communities bring to the city every day.

In 2026, the Year of the Horse Festival promises generosity, joy and a festival atmosphere that feels both grand and deeply local.

What to Expect From 12 to 28 February 2026

Chatswood Year of the Horse Festival

Across 16 days, Chatswood will deliver a packed schedule of experiences that make it easy to plan a visit around your interests. Whether you’re travelling as a family, visiting Sydney for a weekend getaway, or looking for an event-driven reason to explore beyond the CBD, this festival turns Chatswood into a destination in its own right.

Expect streets filled with cultural traditions, colourful performances, roving entertainment and the kind of festive energy that invites you to stay longer than planned.

The Big Celebration Weekend: 21 and 22 February 2026

For the first time, Chatswood’s Lunar New Year Celebration Days will run across an entire weekend, making it even easier for visitors to experience the festival at its peak.

Saturday 21 February and Sunday 22 February will see Victoria Avenue become the centre of celebrations, drawing crowds from across Sydney and beyond.

Festival hours are set for:
Saturday 21 February: 10am to 9pm
Sunday 22 February: 10am to 6pm

This weekend is the ideal time to visit if you want the full festival experience in one trip, with markets, live performances and signature events all happening in the heart of Chatswood.

130+ Market Stalls: Food, Fashion and Festival Finds

One of the festival’s biggest drawcards is the vibrant street market, where more than 130 stalls will line the streets across the weekend. It’s the kind of place where you can snack your way through the afternoon, pick up handmade gifts, browse crafts, discover local fashion, and take home festive favourites that capture the spirit of Lunar New Year.

For travellers, it’s also a brilliant way to experience Chatswood’s multicultural flavour in one walkable precinct, with something new to taste or explore around every corner.

Live Entertainment at The Concourse

Chatswood Year of the Horse Festival

The Concourse will host a full weekend of live entertainment, showcasing performances that range from traditional cultural displays to contemporary interpretations. Expect instrumental music, dance and vibrant stage moments that reflect the evolving cultural landscape of the community.

It’s this mix of heritage and creativity that makes Chatswood’s Lunar New Year festival feel fresh every year. Visitors can enjoy a program that celebrates tradition while also spotlighting the next generation of performers and artists.

Twilight Lantern Parade: A Saturday Night Highlight

If there’s one moment to plan your visit around, it’s the Twilight Lantern Parade on Saturday 21 February.

Stepping off at 7pm, the parade will travel from Chatswood Place to Anderson Street near Westfield, illuminating Victoria Avenue with a dazzling procession of dancers, floats, colourful costumes and community groups.

For spectators, it’s an unforgettable experience and one of the most visually striking Lunar New Year events in Sydney. Arrive early, find a good viewing spot along the route, and settle in for a celebration that blends creativity, culture, sport and community pride into one glowing night.

Family-Friendly Fun for the Year of the Horse

The Year of the Horse Festival is designed with families in mind, making it an easy win for parents travelling with children. Across the festival period, kids can enjoy a range of activities including:

• A fortune stall with lucky prizes
• A jumping castle
• Pony rides as a playful nod to the Year of the Horse

It’s the kind of festival where families can spend the day moving between performances, food stalls and interactive experiences, without needing to plan every minute.

Lion Dancers, Roving Performers and a Festival Atmosphere

Chatswood Year of the Horse Festival

No Lunar New Year celebration is complete without lion dancers, and Chatswood will deliver the energy and good luck they’re famous for. Anderson Street will come alive with lion dance performances, while roving entertainers will animate Chatswood Mall and Archer Street.

Together, these experiences create a festival atmosphere that feels immersive, lively and spontaneous, the kind of street celebration where something exciting is always happening just ahead.

Why Chatswood Belongs on Your Sydney Travel List in February 2026

Sydney is filled with iconic experiences, but festivals like this offer a deeper sense of the city’s character. Chatswood’s Year of the Horse Festival 2026 is a chance to explore a different side of Sydney, one shaped by community, cultural celebration and the joy of gathering together.

For visitors, it’s an ideal summer travel moment: easy to access, full of flavour, visually spectacular, and rich with experiences that appeal to every age group.

Whether you come for the Twilight Lantern Parade, the market stalls, the live performances or simply the festive energy, Chatswood is ready to welcome you for Lunar New Year 2026.

For more information about the Chatswood Year of the Horse Festival 2026, visit:
https://www.visitchatswood.com.au/LNY

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