Start the Lunar New Year at Sovereign Hill

CELEBRATE the year of the snake with a weekend of family-friendly activities at Sovereign Hill.

The outdoor museum’s Lunar New Year weekend will be on Saturday 1 February and Sunday 2 February with music, lion parades, food, and culture.

Traditional ribbon dancing, Tai Chi, fan dancing and other live performances will take place across Sovereign Hill and children can take part in themed craft activities.

Visitors can also hang their wish for the new year outside the Chinese Temple.

“It’s a really good time to come to Sovereign Hill and make memories that will last a lifetime,” Katrina Nitschke, Deputy CEO of the Sovereign Hill Museums Association said.

“We’ve got a whole range of activities where people can come and celebrate the start of the Lunar New Year.

“It’s exciting working with the Chinese Cultural Association of Ballarat and traditional cultural performers, and getting people connected to the role the Chinese community has played in Australia for such a long time.”

Last December saw Sovereign Hill’s new Chinese Protectorate Camp open to the public with 11 new buildings, larger gathering areas and a Chinese circus tent.

Ms Nitschke said it is important to recognise how Chinese people’s contributions have shaped the Ballarat community.

“I think a lot of people would understand there was a really significant Chinese presence on the goldfields during the 1850s but I don’t think a lot of people would truly understand how broad the impact the Chinese community has been on shaping the Australia of today,” she said.

“We continue to live with the legacy of that, a lot of people came and stayed and built their lives here.”

To book a ticket, visit the Sovereign Hill website.