What better way to celebrate the Year of the Dragon than at City of Sydney’s Chinese New Year Festival Dragon Boat Races?

A symbol of good fortune and a sign of intense power, these mythical beasts appear to surge through the water, as 12-metre long boats decorated to feature the head and tail of the dragon battle it out in the waters of Cockle Bay.

Each boat is large enough to seat 20 people with a sweep to steer and a drummer pounding loudly above the thrashing of the oars. Dragon boat racing is a cultural phenomenon of China, with a long history dating back to the Zhou Dynasty (770BC to 256BC).

City of Sydney’s Dragon Boat Races are an annual event not to be missed!

Date Saturday 4 February (Competitive Races) – Sunday 5 February (Corporate and Community Races)

Time 8am – 5pm Venue Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour Cost Free Info/bookings 02 9265 9333

Visit sydneychinesenewyear.com