Celebrate the Year of the Snake at the Australian National Maritime Museum

Media release

Published

Photo showing a Red Chinese dragon costume outside the museum with several families around it.

This February, the Australian National Maritime Museum, in partnership with the China Cultural Centre, will present a full day of cultural performances and family-friendly creative workshops to celebrate Lunar New Year.

Join in an array of art-making activities including traditional woodblock printing and weaving, enjoy tea tasting, Mandarin language tours, activity trails, face painting, roving performances and so much more, as we celebrate the Year of the Snake.

‘The Museum is thrilled to be partnering with the China Cultural Centre to once again bring the excitement and wonder of Lunar New Year to the Museum. With activities and performances for all ages, this is the perfect day out for the whole family to celebrate the Year of the Snake.’

Annalice Creighton, Programs and Activations Coordinator

The celebrations will take place on February 9

See some of the highlights below. 

Guangxi Cultural Fair

Immerse yourself in the heritage of the Chinese city Guangxi through workshops and displays presented by the China Cultural Centre.
Join experienced artists for demonstrations of Zhuang brocade weaving, Liubao tea artistry, learn the art of woodblock printing and calligraphy, dress up for a photo in gorgeous traditional costumes, and marvel at displays of intangible cultural heritage.

Times: 10am – 4pm
Ages: Suitable for all ages    
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Free 

Photo with 2 instructors wearing white shirts  on the right, instructing two women on the left how to make a roll ink onto a wood block to make a print.

Lunar Performances

Enjoy beautiful performances of traditional music, dance and acrobatics from Guangxi presented by China Cultural Centre as well as roving Lion dance, Dragon dance and Martial arts performances.

Times: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm (30–40-minute sessions)
Ages: Suitable for all ages    
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Free 
 

A woman, dressed in a red, Chinese dress, playing a string instrument/

Lunar Maker Space and Facepainting

Join in more creative Lunar New Year inspired artmaking including model dragon boat making, snake shadow puppets and fan painting in family friendly workshops at Kids on Deck Maker Space. Get your face painted or your hand glitter-tattooed with your favourite Lunar animal.

Times: 11am – 3pm
Ages: Suitable for all ages    
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Free
 

Two children with facepaint. One has a mermaid crown design, the other a blue dragon.

Mandarin Language Tour

Experience Australia’s fascinating maritime history with an expert Mandarin-speaking guide. The tour covers the museum’s collection and core galleries, including Shaped by Sea, James Cameron – Challenging the Deep, and Ultimate Depth: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea.

Times: 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:15pm, 2:15pm
Ages: Suitable for all ages    
Booking: No bookings required
Price: Free
 

Male volunteer in a uniform showing a visitor names engraved on the national monument to migration