Wollongong is set to celebrate Chinese New Year with a variety of Chinese cultural activities to welcome in the Year of the Dragon. Last year, the celebrations attracted over 10,000 people to the area, and similarly enthusiastic crowd is expected this year.

Between January 21 and February 5, 2012, festivities will take place at Nan Tien Temple, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest Buddhist Temple. Tourism Wollongong has also organised two free, family-friendly displays of traditional Chinese culture to entertain and delight people of all ages.

A traditional Chinese Lion Dance will be performed on stage in Wollongong’s Crown Street Mall on Saturday January 21, 2012 between 12 and 12.30pm. A martial arts display will also take place at Crown Street Mall, on Saturday January 28, 2012 at 12pm and 1pm.

The activities complement those being held as part of the Chinese New Year Cultural Festival at Nan Tien Temple. As well as hosting a traditional New Year’s Eve Chanting Service and Incense Offering, the Temple will sound the Peace Bell to welcome the New Year at midnight on January 22.

At Nan Tien Temple, guests can sample the temple’s famous cuisine at the Vegetarian Food Fair, view a calligraphy demonstration and participate in traditional prayer ceremonies and celebrations including the Multi-Faith Prayer For World Peace and Harmony Day on February 5.