The Kogarah community welcomed the Lunar New Year with a colourful street parade and street fair last night.
Hundreds of people turned out to enjoy the entertainment on centre stage in Kogarah Town Square and check out the street stalls along Belgrave Street selling food, clothing and traditional Lunar New Year treats.
The celebrations kicked off with the traditional lion and dragon dance leading local dignitaries along Belgrave Street to the town square.
They were welcomed by children from the Academy of Chinese Cultural dressed in yellow dancing and singing traditional songs.
The official opening ceremony was followed by the eye dotting ceremony followed by the Blessing of Good Luck and Prosperity.
Other highlights included demonstrations by Australian Yau Kung Mun Martial Arts members and performances by the Ocean Dream Artistic Groups and others.
The Kogarah celebrations are part of a month of festivities and exhibitions celebrating Lunar New Year and has included a street fair at Hurstville last weekend which attracted an estimated 40,000 people, believed to be the largest Lunar New Year festival in New South Wales held outside the Sydney CBD.