Dear First name / Chinese Museum Friend
LET’S WELCOME IN THE YEAR OF THE HORSE!
The Year of the Fire Horse commences on 17 February 2026. This year’s Chinese New Year Festival in Chinatown takes place on
Sunday, 22nd February, 2026 with a two-week program of events. The Millennium Dragon emerges from the Museum, whilst a dozen lions dance through the streets and lanes of Chinatown wishing prosperity on all the businesses in the precinct. A cacophony of firecrackers everywhere ward off all the evil spirits.
I look forward to seeing you at the Museum to celebrate the New Year on the Festival Day at one of our events during the two weeks of festivities.
The Museum’s program is
here.
WHAT DOES SPIRIT OF THE FIRE HORSE BRING IN 2026?
Characteristically, the year heralds in motivation and purpose, to follow new ideas and embrace major change. In 2026, the Chinese Museum will certainly be imbued with this spirit. We will be unveiling a visionary development – a pathway towards becoming one of the best community museums in the world!
Building on our current achievements, we will strengthen our commitment to be a custodian for Chinese Australian history and heritage, whilst widening our platform to support contemporary Chinese Australians who express their arts and culture, old and new.
We will expand our programs for the schools’ community and the general public to show the contribution that Chinese Australians have made to the evolution of contemporary Australian society, further promoting social cohesion and multiculturalism.
We will attract visitors to Melbourne as a premier national tourism destination whilst radiating outward by staging national and international exhibitions that promote the richness of our Chinese Australian identity. And for our community, we will be a gathering place for celebration and networking events.
This will take place in an expanded modern building on the Museum’s existing site, whilst respecting the heritage of the surrounding environment. Our plans will unfold throughout the coming year for you to see.
Wishing you a healthy and prosperous New Year of the Fire Horse!
Mark Wang
CEO, Chinese Museum
