Celebrating Chinese New Year At Sovereign Hill

21 February 2018, Posted by Tony Sheer

You don’t have to be of Chinese heritage to celebrate Chinese New Year, you just have to want to have a good time! Sovereign Hill invites visitors of all ages to pay a visit over the coming weekends to join in their New Year celebrations. There are a number of events that you could choose to participate in to welcome the commencement of the Year of the Dog.

Anti-Chinese League
This theatre performance explores why some people were so determined to stop Chinese immigration to Australia during the 1850s. It portrays a public meeting to ban them from the goldfields and the racism debate. The performance commences at 12noon on Sunday the 18^th of February and Sunday the 25^th of February at the Victoria Theatre.
Chinese Camp Tour
Did you know that a large number of Chinese immigrants came to the area during the gold rush to find their fortunes? To learn more about how they lived during the gold rush, join in a tour of the recreated Chinese Camp on Sunday the 18^th and Sunday the 25^th of February. Tours are held in Chinese at 11:50am and 2:50am, and in English at 11:30am and 2pm.
Chinese Dragon & Lion Parade
Come see the Chinese dragon, known as Xin Long, and Chinese lions dance up Main Street to welcome in the New Year. It will be held on Sunday the 18^th of February and Sunday the 25^th of February from 1pm to 1:25pm. Note that this activity is weather dependent – it will need to be cancelled if it’s too hot or of it rains.
Chinese New Year Ceremony
On Sunday the 18^th of February, welcome the New Year officially by attending the annual ceremony held in the Chinese Camp. Visitors will be treated to lions, drums and a traditional ceremony in the Chinese Temple that can be found on the site. The ceremony will run from 10:45am to 11:15am, leaving plenty of time to enjoy other activities.
Kids Activities
Enjoy the hands-on activities for kids held across Sunday the 18^th of February and Sunday the 25^th of February between 11am and 4pm at the Horse Bazaar. Kids can create their own paper rooster, have their names written in Chinese characters, make a lucky money envelope to wish others good fortune and watch a Chinese artist at work.
Lion Dance Workshop
Many of us are fascinated by the intricate movements and colour that is lion dancing (a staple at Chinese celebrations of all kinds). Join the workshop to learn more about this type of dancing and even give it a go for yourself. It will be held on Sunday the 18^th of February from 12:30pm to 12:45pm at the Victoria Theatre.

If you’re planning to celebrate Chinese New Year at Sovereign Hill over the next couple of weeks, why not make a weekend of it and spend the night in Ballarat? With many delicious restaurants and attractions, there are ample ways for you to celebrate with your family and friends during your stay. Book your room at the Ballarat Budget Motel and take your time seeing the sights.

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