The Star Sydney is gearing up for its biggest and most thrilling Lunar New Year celebration yet with specially crafted Asian themed food experiences, a program of exciting cultural performances, participation at The Lunar Markets, pop-up events and a spectacular decorative themed display across the property to welcome the Year of the Rooster.
The Star Sydney is gearing up for its biggest and most thrilling Lunar New Year celebration yet with specially crafted Asian themed food experiences, a program of exciting cultural performances, participation at The Lunar Markets, pop-up events and a spectacular decorative themed display across the property to welcome the Year of the Rooster.
More than 30,000 local and international visitors are expected to visit The Star each day during the Lunar New Year period to experience the best of Sydney’s Chinese New Year Festival during the China-Australia Year of Tourism.¹
The Star is again the proud Leadership Partner for The City of Sydney’s Chinese New Year Festival, an 18-day showcase of events, which celebrates the city’s rich Asian culture. More more than 80 events take place in the heart of Sydney from Friday, 27 January to Sunday, 12 February 2017.
The Star has strengthened its relationship with the Australian Turf Club to become the naming rights partner for The Star Chinese Festival of Racing at Royal Randwick. The two-day carnival, running on 4 February and 11 February, is the first Asian-focussed racing carnival in Australia aligned with Lunar New Year.
The Star also returns to the much-anticipated The Star Mahjong Garden in Martin Place for the duration of Sydney’s Chinese New Year Festival and will participate in the iconic Dragon Boat Race at Darling Harbour – the biggest Dragon Boat Race meet in the southern hemisphere.
ENTERTAINMENT
The Star’s Celestial Dragon | 19 January – 12 February 2017
Take a Lunar New Year selfie with The Star’s spectacular Celestial Dragon installation in the Grand Foyer in celebration of this auspicious occasion. Representing the most popular and powerful good fortune symbol in Chinese culture, the Dragon was assembled by a team of sculptors and artists and accredited by a Feng Shui Master.
Daily Performances at The Star | 19 January – 12 February
Every day during Lunar New Year The Star will host free performances by Chinese musicians, silk ribbon performers, lion dancers, Chinese fan princess dancers, jugglers and more.
Don’t miss the spectacular 15-minute aerialist performances in The Star’s Grand Entrance alongside the impressive dragon installation every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening at 7.30pm, 8.30pm, 9.30pm and 10.30pm throughout the Lunar New Year celebration.
Lion dance performances will also take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings commencing at the Edward Street entrance at 6:30pm and weaving past The Star sign on Pirrama Road and through The Star until 10pm.
Good Fortune Tunnel | 19 January – 11 February | The Star’s Retail Precinct
Don’t forget to visit The Star’s spectacular Good Fortune Tunnel to make a New Year’s wish. Simply write a wish on the wishing card and attach it to the wishing trees with a red ribbon.
Nay Ying Na World Part II 2017 | Sunday, 5 February 2017 | The Star Event Centre
China’s most highly regarded vocalist, Na Ying returns to The Star to delight fans for one-night-only. Considered as one of the best present-day female singers in Mainland China, and having sold more than 10 million albums, Na Ying has a huge following around the world. Tickets from $88 at Ticketek.
The Star Chinese Festival of Racing | Saturday, 4 February & Saturday, 11 February |
Royal Randwick Racecourse
Australia’s favourite sporting tradition, thoroughbred horse racing, will unite with the vibrancy of Chinese culture as Sydney’s premier racing venue, Royal Randwick hosts The Star Chinese Festival of Racing.
The two-day festival is Australia’s first Asian-focused racing carnival and will feature world-class horse racing, superb food, Chinese entertainment and stunning fashion ahead of the prestigious Sydney Carnival in autumn.
Don’t miss The Star Apollo Stakes on Saturday, 11 February with the much-anticipated return of Australia’s best racehorse Winx, chasing a remarkable 14th consecutive victory.
The Star’s Fortune Mahjong Garden | 27 January – 12 February | Martin Place | 5-10pm
Enjoy a free game of Mahjong on a warm summer evening at The Star’s Fortune Mahjong Garden in Martin Place in the Sydney CBD every evening during City of Sydney’s Chinese New Year Festival from 5pm to 10pm daily. Play Mahjong and Baida Mahjong for a chance to win a variety of prizes and discounts at The Star.
DINING
The Sydney Morning Herald Lunar Markets presented by The Star
Pyrmont Bay Park | 27 January – 5 February
In partnership with Fairfax Events, The Star will present The Sydney Morning Herald Lunar Markets to celebrate Asian cuisine and culture at the waterside Pyrmont Bay Park, at the doorstep of The Star.
The 10-day moonlit festival, transforms the park into a vibrant outdoor market decorated with lanterns under the summer sky, offering a delectable selection of pop-up Asian eateries and outdoor bars, along with games and live music.
Discover more than 20 stalls including delicious Vietnamese fare from celebrity chef Luke Nguyen’s Street Food, and sensational Thai from Teage Ezard’s Gingergirl pop-up, which is a spin-off his cult Melbourne restaurant, Gingerboy.
Entry is free weekdays from 5pm until late and weekends from 4pm until late. For more information, please visit www.sydney.lunarmarkets.com.au
Sokyo | 19 January – 12 February
Embrace the taste of Tokyo and savour a specially curated five-course seafood degustation by Sokyo’s Executive Chef Chase Kojima ($100 per person). Start with a glass of sake upon arrival and indulge in seafood ceviche with puffed rice paper and pepper oil, whole grilled John Dory with white sesame, ginger and steamed rice, Sokyo’s infamous soft shell crab roll, a refreshing green salad and a good fortune cookie dessert served with indulgent matcha, red bean and orange fillings. Bookings essential.Please call 1800 700 700.
BLACK Bar & Grill | 19 January – 12 February
Take in one of the best waterside views in Sydney and choose from three indulgent specials expertly prepared by founder and restaurateur, Teage Ezard and Executive Chef Dany Karam. Choose from wood-grilled southern rock lobster with wakame butter (market price), T-bone MBS 5+ steak served with bone marrow, chimichurri and roasted cipollini onions ($165), or steamed Saikou Salmon served with divine sea herbs, orecchiette, golden broth and puffed skin ($53). Bookings essential. Please call 1800 700 700.
Balla | 19 January – 12 February
For an unexpected Lunar New Year delight, let Executive Chef Gabriele Taddeucci treat you to an authentic Italian-style feast matched with incredible harbour views. Choose from soft shell crab with lime and chilli mayonnaise ($24), risotto with slipper lobster, zucchini flowers and mint ($30), or go all out with wood-grilled duck with lentils, orange and a mouth-watering sage reduction for two people ($82). Bookings essential. Please call 1800 700 700.
Fat Noodle | 19 January – 12 February
Fat Noodle celebrates its seventh birthday this Lunar New Year with a two-course feast including a salmon yu sheng salad ($28), and a lunar prosperous wok-fried jumbo prawn and Canadian scallop served with lily bulb, asparagus and Shimeiji mushroom ($32).
Harvest Buffet | 28 – 29 January
Enjoy a special menu with friends and family from the dedicated speciality chefs at the Harvest Buffet for dinner on Saturday, 28 January and lunch on Sunday, 29 January. Dinner is $69.90 for adults and $22 for children aged five to 12, and lunch is $48.90 for adults and $22 for children aged five to 12, including soft drinks. Children four and under eat free. No bookings. Harvest Buffet’s seasonal menu will also continue throughout the Lunar New Year period.
Food Quarter | 19 January – 12 February
Fire up your taste buds at The Star’s Food Quarter with Lunar New Year specials like deep-fired whole snapper with sweet and sour sauce ($28), seafood chow mein with homemade XO sauce ($23), and stir-fried clams in black bean sauce served with Chinese donuts and steamed jasmine rice ($26).
Sky Terrace | 19 January – 12 February
Head to Sydney’s best rooftop bar Sky Terrace to soak up panoramic views of Sydney Harbour while enjoying a Laughing Buddha sunset cocktail ($14) from Thursday to Sunday throughout Lunar New Year. The Laughing Buddha is also available at Cherry, Rock Lily and The Star’s newest bar, Latitude.
Bookings essential. Please call 1800 700 700.
For more information on Lunar New Year at The Star, phone 1800 700 700
or visit
www.star.com.au/lny
by Arrnott Olssen
Editor Rogue Homme
