The Star turns it on for Chinese New Year

Across January and February The Star will come alive with Chinese New Year festivities, an array of activities and events to celebrate this monumental event on the Chinese calendar. From 31 January until 8 February, The Star will be the ultimate destination to celebrate the Lunar New Year, with delicious Asian themed menus, traditional Chinese celebrations, exotic cultural events and more.

Chinese New Year Launch: Friday 24 January
The Star is thrilled to be co-hosting with the City of Sydney the official launch function of the 2014 Chinese New Year festival. The launch party will be taking place at Belmore Park in Sydney's CBD, followed by the official after-party at The Star's new rooftop bar, Sky Terrace. This will be the official after-party of the opening event that will launch the Chinese New Year festivities, with the mayor of Sydney Clover Moore and other dignitaries heading to The Star to kick off the Lunar New Year celebrations.

Dragon and Lion Dancers: Friday 31 January – Saturday 8 February
The Star will be home to its very own dragon and lion dancers on property for the two weekends during the Chinese New Year festival. The dragon and lion dancers will be performing throughout The Star on Friday and Saturday nights on the following dates and times - Friday 31 Jan, from 11.30pm; Saturday 1 Feb, 7pm til 9pm; Friday 7 Feb, 7pm til 9pm; Saturday 8 Feb, 7pm til 9pm.

Chinese Firecrackers: Friday 31 January
At midnight on 31 January, The Star will officially kick off the Lunar New Year with a countdown to midnight, followed by a Chinese firecrackers display in the main foyer of The Star. Don't miss this visual spectacular!

Chinese New Year Twilight Parade: Sunday 2 February
One of Sydney's favourite events, the Chinese New Year Twilight Parade takes to George Street on Sunday 2 February. Bringing a magical beauty to the summer evening, floats, lanterns and dancers will weave their way, snake-like, from Sydney Town Hall down to Harbour Street, illuminated by stunning projections on city buildings. For 2014, The Star has its very own float in the Twilight Parade, which will be filled with Star team members celebrating Chinese New Year in spectacular style.

Dragon Ball: Saturday 8 February
The annual Dragon Ball is one of the highlights of the Australian-Chinese calendar and this year it's coming to The Star Event Centre. It's a fabulous night of retro glam, live performances, special shows, cocktails, canapés, and a whole lot of dancing. Sydney's most dynamic swing band, The Velvet Set, will be providing the soundtrack for the night, playing classics from the 1930's, 40's and 50's.

Dragon Boat Racing: Sunday 9 February
Dragon boat racing has a rich history of ceremonial tradition, with dragons traditionally believed to be the rulers of rivers, lakes and seas, dominating the clouds, mists and rains from heaven. As Sydney celebrates Chinese New Year, Dragon Boat racing will take over Sydney Harbour, and The Star has its very own dragon boat to race. The team will be comprised of 24 Star team members from various areas of the property, from croupiers to wait staff, and security guards to general managers.

Wakin Chau: Tuesday 11 February
Taiwanese singing sensation Wakin Chau will be holding a world tour concert in The Star Event Centre on 11 February. Since starting his career, Chau has released more than 40 albums and held more than 200 international tours. This will be his second visit to Sydney, a trip he says he is making so he can give his blessings of the Chinese New Year to his fans in Australia.