Haymarket’s Asian-Australian festival Neon Playground returns

Neon Playground will make its return to Sydney, with the festival set to bring three weeks of light installations, food, and cultural events to Chinatown.

The program kicks off on 15 March and runs until 6 April, with visitors set to experience 14 light sculptures showcasing original works by Asian-Australian artists throughout the entirety of the festival, which is organised by the Haymarket Alliance and funded by the NSW Government in association with the City of Sydney.

It wouldn’t be an event without food, with walking food tours set to take place on 19 March and 2 April called Chinatown Street Food and Stories. Hosted by Local Sauce Tours, a guide will take visitors to some of Chinatown’s most iconic eateries to sample a range of dishes and share insights about the impact Chinese-Australians have made on the local community.

Local retailers will also participate in Neon Playground 2.0 by running special promotions. At Kura Kura Japanese, diners will get a free Asahi beer when they spend over $20 and Spicy World Hot Pot will offer free lamb belly/beef brisket with orders. Guests will score a complimentary lemon tea at Good Luck Hot Pot and Super Emoji will offer half price drinks when you buy one.

The festival will also see a karaoke comp take place, stand-up comedy shows, Asian film screenings at the former Marigold Chinese Restaurant location, an arts and crafts market, and art exhibitions.

“Chinatown has long been a treasured food and cultural hub for Sydney, and it’s fantastic to see the current generation of business owners banding together to elevate the experience of visitors and locals,” says Minister for Transport and Roads John Graham.

“The NSW Government is working to bring Sydney back to life. One of the ways we’re doing that is by backing locals like the Haymarket Alliance, to find new ways to boost their local precincts.”

For more information on the festival, visit the website.

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