Ride Into Year Of Horse With Biggest Lunar Festival Yet
Castle Hill Main Street will be shut down to cars and opened up to pedestrians for the first time in a decade for The Hills Shire's biggest Lunar New Year celebrations to date thanks to funding from the NSW Government.
The Hills Lunar Street Festival returns on Saturday 28 February 2026, celebrating the Year of the Horse with live entertainment, authentic Asian cuisine, roving performances, family-friendly activities, and a spectacular fireworks finale.
The Hills Shire Council has secured funding through the NSW Government's Vibrant Streets Package - Open Streets Program 2025-2028, enabling the temporary closure of Castle Hill Main Street and its transformation into a lively, community focused festival space.
Visitors can expect an authentic Asian street festival atmosphere, with food trucks and stalls serving dumplings, ramen, Japanese street food, Dragon Beard Candy, bubble tea, and much more.
The festival program features on stage performances, a traditional Lion Dance, a Chinese juggler, and a full suite of free family activities, including face painting, live portrait illustrations by artist Quikimi, prize giveaways, calligraphy demonstrations, a pickleball court, and hands on craft workshops.
The Hills Shire Mayor, Dr Michelle Byrne said the event offers a special opportunity for residents to celebrate the Shire's cultural diversity.
"The Hills Lunar Street Festival is a much-loved highlight of our events calendar, bringing our community together to celebrate cultural diversity through traditional activities, festive entertainment, and fantastic food," Mayor Byrne said.
"The Hills is proud to be home to a vibrant and growing East Asian community, with more than 20 per cent of our residents celebrating Lunar New Year, including people with Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Filipino backgrounds.
"It's exciting to bring the festival to Castle Hill Main Street, where it can continue to grow and support local businesses."
Hills Chinese Association President Anna Hu highlighted the cultural meaning of the celebration.
"The Year of the Horse symbolises success and good fortune, making it especially meaningful to
celebrate together here in The Hills," President Hu said.
"For many Asian communities, Lunar New Year marks the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. It is celebrated over 15 days with special foods, red decorations, family reunions and fireworks.
"Celebrations like this give people from different backgrounds the opportunity to learn about Chinese culture, share traditions, and come together in a spirit of understanding and connection, joining the 1.5 billion people worldwide who celebrate Lunar New Year."
Attendees are encouraged to use public transport, with Castle Hill Metro Station located directly adjacent to the festival precinct.
For more information, visit www.thehills.nsw.gov.au and search "Hills Lunar Street Festival."
WHAT: Asian food trucks and stalls, on stage performances, roving entertainment including Lion Dance, free craft activities, pickleball, face painting, Lunar New Year decorations, and a fireworks finale.
WHEN: Saturday 28 February 2026, 2:00pm-9:00pm
WHERE: Castle Hill Main Street, Old Northern Road (between Castle Towers and Castle Mall)
https://www.thehills.nsw.gov.au/News-and-Publications/Ride-into-the-Year-of-the-Horse-with-the-biggest-Lunar-Festival-yet
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