Celebrating the Year of the Horse at St Albans Lunar Festival 2026
The St Albans Lunar Festival 2026 was a vibrant celebration of culture, community and tradition, transforming St Albans Town Centre into a lively destination filled with colour, connection and shared pride.
Welcoming the Year of the Horse, the festival brought together cultural performances, traditional ceremonies, food vendors, family-friendly entertainment and community celebrations, reinforcing St Albans’ place as one of Melbourne’s most significant Lunar New Year destinations.
Community at the Heart of the Festival
From the earliest moments of the day, the festival streets were filled with families, friends and visitors of all ages. Children gathered around classic festival games, families explored the precinct together, and the atmosphere reflected the warmth and inclusivity that defines St Albans.
These moments, small, joyful and shared, are what make the St Albans Lunar Festival a true community celebration.
Cultural Performances and Tradition
Cultural performances formed the heartbeat of the festival, with traditional Vietnamese dancers, drummers and the much-loved Lion Dance captivating crowds throughout the day.
These performances honour generations of tradition while bringing the community together through movement, sound and celebration, a powerful reminder of the cultural diversity that shapes St Albans.
A Proud Official Opening
The festival officially commenced with a ceremonial opening that acknowledged the significance of Lunar New Year and the Year of the Horse.
We were honoured to welcome distinguished guests from federal, state and local government, alongside respected community leaders, who joined us on stage for the official opening and ribbon cutting. Their presence reflected the importance of the St Albans Lunar Festival as a major cultural event within Melbourne’s west.
Distinguished Guests in Attendance
Australian Federal Government
- Dr Daniel Mulino MP, Federal Member for Fraser, Minister for Financial Services and Assistant Treasurer
Victorian State Government
- Ben Carroll MP, Deputy Premier of Victoria, Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC
- Natalie Suleyman MP, Minister for Veterans, Minister for Small Business and Employment and Minister for Youth, also representing Ingrid Stitt MP
- Trung Luu MP, Shadow Assistant Minister for Police and Criminal Justice Reform
Brimbank City Council
- Virginia Tachos, Mayor
- Kim Truong
- Duyen Pham
- Katharine Nikolic
- Dr Victoria Borg
- Kelvin Walsh, Director City Futures
City of Moonee Valley
- Rose Iser, Mayor
- Ava Adams
- John Sipek
- Hamish Jones
City of Yarra
- Meca Ho
- Kenneth Gomez
Community Leaders and Special Guests
- Duy Quang Nguyen, President, Vietnamese Community of Australia (Victorian Chapter)
- Representatives from the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association, including Vice President Thanh-Kham Tran-Dang and CEO Ngoc (Nicky) Chung
- Katie Schroeter, Acting Inspector, Victoria Police
- Margaret Giudice
- Jan Chantry
- Troy Atanasovski
- Ha Nguyen, President, Victoria Street Business Association
Local Traders, Food and Festival Energy
Throughout St Albans Town Centre, local traders and food vendors brought the festival to life. From sizzling street food and traditional flavours to roaming characters and colourful decorations, every corner of the precinct contributed to the festival’s vibrant energy.
These experiences not only celebrate Lunar New Year traditions, but also highlight the strength and diversity of St Albans’ local business community.
As the Sun Sets
As day turned to night, the festival atmosphere continued to build. Crowds filled the streets, lights illuminated the precinct, and the sense of celebration carried well into the evening.
The St Albans Lunar Festival is designed as a full-day experience, one that evolves, grows and brings people together from morning through to night.
A Festival for Everyone
From thrilling rides and family attractions to unforgettable shared moments, the festival offered something for everyone. These scenes capture the excitement, joy and connection that define the St Albans Lunar Festival year after year.
A Community Effort
The St Albans Lunar Festival is made possible through strong partnerships and dedicated community support. We extend our sincere thanks to our supporters and sponsors, including:
- Victorian State Government
- Small Business Victoria
- Brimbank City Council
- Victoria Police
- Centrecom
- Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (Gold Sponsor)
- EzyRemit
- Procella Insurance
- Upturn
- O'Brien Real Estate
- Optus St Albans
- IGA St Albans
Through the support of Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme, refunds collected during the festival are donated to the KARI Foundation, extending the impact of the event beyond the day itself.
Thank You
Special recognition is extended to the volunteer Committee Members of the St Albans Business Group Association, our dedicated volunteers, performers, co-MCs, council teams and Victoria Police for their ongoing support in delivering a safe, inclusive and welcoming event.
The St Albans Lunar Festival continues to be a proud celebration of cultural diversity, community connection and local identity, an event that reflects the spirit of St Albans and its people.
Watch the Highlights & View the Full Gallery
🎥 Watch the official St Albans Lunar Festival 2026 highlight reel to relive the energy, performances and atmosphere of the day.
📸 View the full Facebook photo album to explore all moments captured across the festival, from performances and food to families, traders and community celebrations.
Looking Ahead
The St Albans Lunar Festival continues to be a proud celebration of culture, diversity and community connection, and we look forward to delivering even more vibrant festivals in the years to come.
For future festival enquiries, partnerships or participation, please contact
📧 info@stalbanstowncentre.com.au
