Future of Chinatown Lunar New Year Festival secured

The City of Melbourne’s officially endorsed business precinct association for Chinatown has secured the rights to host the Lunar New Year Festival following years of changing hands.

The Melbourne Chinatown Business Association (MCBA) led by president Christina Zhao received formal confirmation from the council in September that it had been successful in its bid to host the festival in 2025.

The news represents a win for Chinatown, which has undergone significant change in representation since 2021 following the demise of the Chinatown Precinct Association (CPA) after more than two decades.

The CPA was initially replaced by the newly formed Melbourne Chinatown Association (MCA), however the new group only lasted one year as the council’s preferred trader group for the precinct.

Despite the MCBA having since taken over leadership of Chinatown, this year’s Lunar New Year Festival held in February was organised by the MCA after it had secured hosting rights during 2023.

The MCBA’s successful bid to host next year’s festival means the event is back under the auspices of the council’s officially endorsed precinct association, which has gone from strength to strength since taking over in 2023.

The 2025 event is also expected to receive a financial boost from the state government after former Premier Dan Andrews committed to providing $400,000 towards it as part of a 2022 election pledge.

With businesses in Chinatown having made continued calls for renewal in the precinct amid the ongoing impacts to trade since the pandemic and increases in graffiti and rough sleeping, a re-elected Lord Mayor Nick Reece has pledged big money.

As part of his election platform, Team Reece has committed $12.6 million to be invested on a “Chinatown Revitalisation” package, largely made up of $10 million for dedicated community-led infrastructure upgrades.

A further $1.6 million would be allocated to the Museum of Chinese Australian History to support the expansion and modernisation of its exhibitions, while a further $1 million will be spent over four years to support cultural festivals, such as Lunar New Year celebrations.

Cr Reece said if re-elected, he would work “hand-in-glove” with the Chinese community to “not only preserve Chinatown’s rich heritage but also inject new life into the precinct”.

“Melbourne wouldn’t be the city it is today without the contributions of its Chinese and Indian communities. This package is about more than just infrastructure; it’s about celebrating and strengthening the cultural ties that make our city unique,” Cr Reece said.

“Melbourne has the oldest Chinatown in the Western world dating back to the 1850s and this investment will ensure it continues to be a vibrant, bustling, Chinese precinct for decades to come.” •