Castle Hill will come alive with the vibrant beats of drums, traditional Chinese dancing, and delicious Asian eats for Hills Lunar Festival on Saturday 8 February 2025.
Arthur Whitling Park will once again host thousands of residents and visitors to celebrate the Year of the Snake with a seven-hour feast of the senses. Guests can indulge in a variety of Asian delicacies, including dumplings, dragon beard candy, steaming bowls of ramen, and crispy Hong Kong bubble waffles.
Attendees will also be treated to captivating performances by The Hills Chinese Association, along with family-friendly activities such as free face painting and craft stations where visitors can try their hand at calligraphy or create their very own clay snakes.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, two Wishing Trees will stand among the colourful Lunar New Year decorations, offering attendees a special opportunity to write and hang their wishes for the year ahead.
Mayor of The Hills Shire Council, Dr Michelle Byrne said the event is a wonderful way to celebrate the Shire's rich cultural diversity and vibrant community spirit.
"Lunar New Year is a spectacular and high-spirited festival observed by many cultures across Asia. It also provides a great opportunity to celebrate our Asian community here in The Hills," Mayor Byrne said.
"We are lucky to have such a diverse population in The Hills, with residents of Chinese ancestry our third largest ethnicity, and more than 20 per cent of residents born in China, Vietnam, Korea, and Indonesia, where Lunar New Year is an important festival.
"It will be an unmissable evening, and I invite everyone to join in on the food, fun and festivities."
President of The Hills Chinese Association, Anna Hu reflected on the significance of Lunar New Year to Chinese culture.
"The Lunar New Year Festival in The Hills brings a piece of our homeland to the Shire and creates an opportunity for the entire community to celebrate and learn about Asian cultures," President Hu said.
"The celebrations traditionally last for 15 days, starting on Chinese New Year's Eve, and ending with the Lantern Festival on the first full moon of the lunar month.
"Lunar New Year is the most important festival for people of Chinese ancestry all over the world. It has been celebrated for over 4,000 years, and its traditions are deeply ingrained in Chinese culture."
Observed around the world, Lunar New Year marks the first new moon of the Lunar calendar and is a time for gathering with family and friends, reflecting on the past year, and looking ahead with optimism.
Attendees are encouraged to catch public transport to Castle Hill Metro Station, which is conveniently located next to Arthur Whitling Park.
For more information, visit www.thehills.nsw.gov.au and search for 'Hills Lunar Festival.'
WHAT: Hills Lunar Festival
WHEN: 2pm – 9pm, Saturday 8 February 2025
WHERE: Arthur Whitling Park, Castle Hill
WHAT: Cultural food stalls, on-stage performances, free craft activities, free face painting and colourful Lunar New Year decorations.
The images below are from Council's 2024 Lantern Festival event.
