Chinese New Year at the WA MuseumArticle | Updated 7 years ago Chinese Paper Lanterns - Copyright WA Museum Copyright WA Museum Gong Xi Fa Cai! Western Australia is a proudly multicultural state that embraces its wide range of cultural backgrounds. For our Chinese communities, the Lunar New Year is one of their most important annual celebrations. Unlike the New Year celebrations that follow the Gregorian calendar, the Chinese New Year does not fall on the 1st of January; instead it follows the Chinese lunar calendar. In 2017 this two week festival of prosperity will begin on the 28th of January. A unique quality to the Lunar New Year celebrations is the attribution of a zodiac animal and natural element to the year. 2017 will be the year of the Fire Rooster, with people born under this zodiac thought to be exceptionally adventurous! The WA Museum is excited to announce its participation in the 2017 Chinese New Year celebrations. Family-friendly activities will run from our Discovery Zone site located in the State Library. Here you will be able to discover your Chinese zodiac, decorate your own paper lantern and learn about traditional Chinese culture. Click here for further information.