Reflecting on the 2025 St Albans Lunar New Year Festival 🐍

From dazzling performances and thrilling rides to vibrant food stalls and the stunning fireworks finale, this year’s festival truly captured the spirit of St Albans.
Wednesday, January 29, 2025

A Celebration of Culture, Community, and Connection‍

The 2025 St Albans Lunar New Year Festival brought thousands of people together for a joyous celebration of the Year of the Snake. From dazzling performances and thrilling rides to vibrant food stalls and the stunning fireworks finale, this year’s festival truly captured the spirit of St Albans.

The day began with excitement and energy, filling Alfrieda Street with laughter, music, and the rich traditions of the Lunar New Year. Attendees were treated to a mix of cultural experiences, family fun, and moments that brought the community closer together.

Unforgettable Performances and Cultural Highlights

Performances were at the heart of the festival, bringing life and energy to the day. The Lion Dance captivated the audience with its vibrant costumes and acrobatics, symbolising luck and prosperity. The beats of the Japanese Drums echoed through the streets, mesmerising onlookers with their power and rhythm.

Traditional cultural dances followed, featuring intricate costumes and graceful movements, celebrating the diversity and unity of the community. Each performance added to the festival’s vibrancy, reminding everyone of the significance of the Lunar New Year.

These moments created a sense of connection and pride, bringing together people of all backgrounds to celebrate in harmony.

Thrills and Family Fun

This year’s festival offered something for everyone, with a range of rides and attractions to suit all ages. Thrill-seekers enjoyed the Kamikaze ride and Dodgem Cars, while families delighted in the Ferris Wheel and the mini-train ride for younger children.

The streets were alive with energy, as families explored the stalls and friends laughed together on rides. Everywhere you turned, the joy of the festival was evident, creating a vibrant atmosphere that made the day truly special.

The festival proved that tradition and modern fun can come together to create an unforgettable experience for all.

Tradition and Community at Its Heart

One of the highlights of the festival was the bustling food and market stalls. The aroma of street food filled the air, offering delicious options from a variety of cultures, including Vietnamese bĂĄnh mĂŹ, sizzling skewers, and refreshing drinks.

Market stalls featured handcrafted goods, and festival-themed souvenirs, allowing attendees to take a piece of the celebration home with them. Roving entertainers added another layer of joy, engaging with the crowd and spreading smiles throughout the day.

This year’s festival was a true reflection of the community’s spirit and the importance of preserving cultural traditions while embracing the diversity that makes St Albans unique.

Honouring Our Guests and Supporters

We were honoured to welcome a distinguished group of guests to this year’s festival, whose presence underscored the importance of community events in fostering inclusivity and cultural pride.

Guest List:

Australian Federal Government:

  • Dr. Daniel Mulino MP – Federal Member for Fraser

Victorian State Government:

  • Deputy Premier of Victoria, The Honourable Ben Carroll MP
  • The Honourable Natalie Suleyman MP
  • The Honourable Ingrid Stitt MP
  • The Honourable Trung Luu MP

Brimbank City Council:

  • Mayor Cr. Thuy Dang
  • Deputy Mayor Cr. Dr. Victoria Borg
  • Cr Duyen Anh Pham
  • Cr Virginia Tachos
  • Cr Kim Thien Truong
  • Cr Daniel Kruk
  • Cr Lucy Nguyen
  • Chief Executive Officer Fiona Blair

City of Maribyrnong:

  • Mayor Cr. Pradeep Tiwari
  • Cr. Cuc Lam

City of Moonee Valley:

  • Mayor Ava Adams
  • Deputy Mayor Fran Cosgriff
  • Cr John Sipek
  • Cr Paula Theocharides
  • Cr Hamish Jones

City of Yarra:

  • Councillor Meca Ho

Other Guests:

  • Vivienne Nguyen – Chairperson Victorian Multicultural Commission
  • Duy Quang Nguyen – President, Vietnamese Community of Australia’s Victorian Chapter
  • From the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association: Vice President Thanh-Kham Tran-Dang & CEO Ngoc (Nicky) Chung

Acknowledging Our Sponsors

The success of the 2025 St Albans Lunar New Year Festival would not have been possible without the incredible support of our sponsors:

Major Sponsor:

  • Centre Com

Supporting Sponsors:

  • Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme
  • Ezy Remit
  • Upturn Accountants & Advisors
  • Procella Insurance
  • O’Brien Real Estate
  • Optus
  • AVWA
  • IGA St Albans
  • Business Victoria
  • Brimbank City Council

We extend our deepest gratitude to all our sponsors for helping us make this event a reality.

Evening Magic and Fireworks Finale

As day turned to night, the festival atmosphere became even more magical. Live music performances kept the crowd entertained, building anticipation for the spectacular fireworks finale.

The fireworks lit up the sky, leaving attendees in awe and bringing the day to a perfect close. Cheers and applause filled the air as families and friends came together to enjoy the breathtaking display.

The fireworks finale was a reminder of the joy and pride the Lunar New Year brings to our community each year.

Relive the Highlights

Couldn’t make it to the festival or want to relive the magic? Watch the highlight reel below to experience the incredible moments from the day.

For more photos from the day, visit our Facebook page here: Facebook Photo Album

Looking Ahead

The 2025 St Albans Lunar New Year Festival was a true celebration of culture, community, and connection. Thank you to everyone who joined us, you made this event truly unforgettable.

We look forward to welcoming you back next year for another spectacular celebration. Stay connected for updates on upcoming events and more! 🐍🎉