A festival will celebrate the relationship and connection between local communities and those with an Asian Heritage in the BrisAsia Festival from February 8 -23.
There are a raft of fun traditional and contemporary arts and cultural events throughout the city during this period, so make sure you have your Domestic or Brisbane International Airport car hire organised ahead of time so you can make the most of what the festival has to offer.
Here are some of the highlights of this festival.
Chinese Lunar New Year
Why not welcome in the Year of the Horse in sunny Brisbane? Here you can experience the excitement of this signature event with a range of fun events for the whole family.
You will be able to enjoy everything from dancing and musical performances to cooking demonstrations and Tai Chi displays.
This will take place on Friday January 31 at Chinatown mall, so make sure you head down to witness this spectacular event – it starts at 4.50 a.m, while market stalls open at 5 a.m with plenty of goodies available for purchase.
The official welcome is not until 7.15 a.m and the event continues on with a stunning finale at 9.40 p.m when the Queensland World Dance Academy will treat the audience to a performance.
Sunnybank Celebrations
The Sunnybank Plaza on Mains Road and McCullough Street will be home to five days of Chinese New Year displays from January 29 – February 2.
The activities featured in this festival include events such as lion and dragon dances, Tai Chi, Kung Fu, Chinese calligraphy demonstrations, and children’s mask making workshops as well as Feng Shui consultations.
Wings of the World
The beautiful Boondall Wetlands Environment Centre is home to a range of migratory shorebirds and you can trace their cross-continental migration to Asia along the East Asian-Australisian flyway.
You can watch an interactive presentation to learn more about these creatures and the extent on which they rely so heavily on global wetlands such as Moreton Bay.
While you are there you can make a full day of this experience, and take a self-directed tour around the wetlands or cycle along the bikeway that takes you to Nudgee Beach.
Golden Koala Festival
This is held every year in Australia’s major cities and features the top Chinese films from across the world. It aims to boost Australians’ understanding of the Chinese film culture and to provide plenty of opportunities for cinema enthusiasts who want to discuss the movies.
The Golden Koala festival represents the first Chinese film awards in a country that does not speak Chinese and the films are judged by a panel of experienced experts from non-Chinese backgrounds.
Taste of Asia
If you have a love of Asian cuisine, this festival is for you. It is a treat for foodies who can be inspired by local celebrity chefs on February 21.
You can relax at a long table and experience the thrill of being taught in a free open-air masterclass.
Cai Guo-Qiang
Make sure you spend some time at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) to view the latest exhibition – two large-scale, dramatic installations inspired by local landscape. The interactive kids projects are sure to keep the young ones busy.
This is Cai Guo-Qiang’s first solo exhibition in Australia and is exclusive to GOMA so this makes it the must-see exhibition of the summer, according to the Brisbane Council.
3D Pop Up Encounters
Follow the council’s Facebook page to discover the different locations of street art, which is set to pop up all around the streets of Brisbane during this festival.
The council will give away clues and ideas on their Facebook page so make sure you stay connected. Having a rental organised will also make it easier to get to the various places so you don’t miss out on the fun this activity promises to provide.