Celebrating the year of the dragon

Southbank flexed its event hosting muscle during January as the Chinese community welcomed in the new year of the Dragon.

The festival ran from January 27-29 and created an electric atmosphere along the casino promenade.

The promenade featured a bustling street market, multiple stages with entertainment running over the entire weekend and even an hour and a half worth of karaoke (although this reporter could only handle about three minutes before moving on).

The night sky lit up all three nights with spectacular fireworks on display, launched from the middle of the Yarra River. The noise created from the echoing buildings was something to behold.

The year of the dragon is highly significant among the Chinese community, as it is the only mythical zodiac creature.

2012 is the year of the water dragon, which is said to have a calming effect on the Dragon’s fearless temperament.