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Wondering where to celebrate Chinese New Year 2023 in Dubai? Here are some great events and activities welcoming the Year of the Rabbit
5 January 2023
| Last updated on 18 January 2023
Gong xi fa cai!
Ring in the Year of the Rabbit and join in on these fun, family-friendly, and colourful events taking place around Dubai!
Whether you're new to the occasion or not, the festivities are always an absolute treat, which typically consist of spending time with loved ones, setting up red and gold décor, cultural parades, delicious treats, and much more.
Here is a list of the best things to do in Dubai to make the most of Chinese New Year 2023.
When is Chinese New Year 2023?
Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, falls on Sunday January 22, 2023 and this time around it's the Year of the Rabbit. Each year is represented by an animal from one of the 12 Chinese Zodiac signs. CNY celebrations typically last for 15 days from the start date.
Following this, 2024 will be the Year of the Dragon.
How is Chinese New Year usually celebrated?
In China and other parts of the world, the Lunar New Year is a chance for families and friends to spend time together, exchange presents, and celebrate the new year.
Traditional CNY activities includes colourful parades, fireworks and firecrackers, cultural performances, indulging in delicious Chinese cuisine and snacks, and for adults - handing out red envelopes (angpao) containing cash gifts to the younger generations in the family or their friends' kids.
Gifting money enclosed in red envelopes is a gesture of passing on good fortune and to drive away evil or bad luck.
Why is red a predominant colour for Chinese New Year?
Red is the most common colour you'll find not just during CNY, but in Chinese culture in general as it is said to represent positive luck, happiness, and success.
Culturally, red is associated with the fire element, which symbolises life and vitality.
Best things to do for Lunar New Year in Dubai (a.k.a Chinese New Year)
Among the best ways to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit in Dubai is through food! To get your fill of dumplings, noodles, seafood, rice, and other classic Lunar New Year dishes that are considered part of welcoming good luck and happiness, Dubai has some of the best restaurants to dine out for Chinese New Year.
Chinese New Year Dinner at Millennium Place Barsha Heights Dubai
Welcome the Year of the Rabbit in Dubai with traditional dishes like roast duck, braised lamb, and more at the Millennium Place Barsha Heights' Chinese New Year Dinner from AED 119!
Chinese New Year Brunch at Copthorne Lakeview Dubai
Gather your family and friends and celebrate Chinese New Year in Dubai 2023 with a delicious brunch at Copthorne Lakeview Hotel starting from AED 135 only!
Chinese New Year Buffet at Novotel Al Barsha Dubai
Celebrate a new year of happiness and prosperity with a selection of traditional Chinese dishes! Usher in the Year of the Rabbit with a delectable Chinese New Year 2023 buffet at Novotel Dubai Al Barsha from just AED 99.
Chinese New Year 2023 celebrations at Expo City Dubai
A massive CNY parade will be taking place at Expo City Dubai on Saturday January 14, 2023, from 4PM onwards, revealed the Chinese Consul-General to the UAE.
The grand cultural festival will be co-hosted by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Chinese Consulate General in Dubai, and the Executive Committee of Hala China.
In addition, visitors can partake in a huge variety of festival booths, games, watch street performances including acrobats and parading bands, and tuck into some yummy Chinese food stalls.
Don't miss out!
Chinese New Year at Dubai Parks and Resorts
This year, celebrate the Year of the Rabbit in Dubai with your family at Legoland! From January 20 to 29, the theme park invites children and parents to take part in a wide variety of fun-filled CNY activities.
Visitors can partake in a dragon hunt, decorate rabbit cookies, try the mosaic activities, watch the daily parade, join in the Chinese New Year wishing well, and marvel at the hundreds of Chinese lanterns decorating the park.
Get your 1-Day Any Park ticket for Dubai Parks and Resorts with this special offer, available here.
Chinese New Year at Global Village
Every year, the vibrant China pavilion at Global Village in Dubai will see live entertainment, Lunar New Year treats, celebratory activities, and unique cultural goodies to shop. And this season likely won't be any different!
Tickets to Dubai's massive shopping, entertainment, and dining destination are only AED 25 at the gate (AED 22.5 online) for any-day passes, and value tickets are for AED 20 at the gate (AED 18 online).
Pictured: Chinese lion dance.
Enjoy some mooncakes
Events like Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival usually brings with it some delightful things, such as these delicious treats. Mooncakes are a traditional pastry that symbolises togetherness. It comes in a variety of fillings, like fruits, mixed nuts, red beans, salted egg, and other creative flavours!
Chinese mooncakes in Dubai are only available for a short period of time, so enjoy a mooncake while they're still around!
Pictured: Traditional mooncakes.
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