Lunar New Year 2026 EOI

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This is a preview of the 2026 Lunar New Year Expression of Interest form. When you’re ready to apply, click Fill Out Now to begin.
 

2026 Lunar New Year Expression of Interest

Access

For any enquiries about the program please contact events@innerwest.nsw.gov.au

  • If you have access requirements that cause difficulty submitting material online and you need assistance, please call 9392 5000. To talk with a free interpreter call 131 450. 
  • 9392 5000. نحن نتكلم لغتك.131 للتحدث مع مترجم مجاني اتصل بالرقم 450اطلب منهم الاتصال بمجلس الغرب الداخلي على الرقم 
  • Μιλάμε τη γλώσσα σας. Για να μιλήσετε δωρεάν σε διερμηνέα καλέστε το 131 450. Ζητήστε τους να καλέσουν το Δήμο Inner West Council στο 9392 5000. 
  • Parliamo la vostra lingua. Per parlare gratuitamente con un interprete chiamate il numero 131 450. Chiedetegli di chiamare il Comune di Inner West al numero 9392 5000. 
  • Falamos a sua língua. Para falar com um intérprete gra tuitamente ligue para 131 450. Peça-lhes para ligar para o Inner West Council no número 9392 5000. 
  • 我們能說您的語言。 如需免費傳譯服務，請致電131 450， 然後請傳譯員致電9392 5000接通 Inner West市政府。  
  • เราพูดภาษาของท่าน คุยกับล่ามได้ฟรีที่เบอร์ 131 450 ขอต่อสาย Inner West Council ที่เบอร์ 9392 5000. 
  • Chúng tôi nói ngôn ngữ của quý vị. Muốn nói chuyện có thông dịch viên miễn phí, hãy gọi số 131 450. Yêu cầu họ gọi cho Hội đồng Thành phố Inner West qua số 9392 5000. 

We invite local community groups, artists and local businesses to take part in the 2026 Lunar New Year Festival in Ashfield and Marrickville

Lunar New Year marks the beginning of a new year on lunar calendars, and is celebrated by Central and South-East Asian diaspora all over the world.

Inner West Council is calling for applications from local community groups, businesses and artists to host activities for Lunar New Year 2026. Council is offering grants for activities that encourage connection and engagement with the local community.

There are two funding types available in 2026: Pop-Up Events or Street Closure Event

    • Pop-Up Events
    • Availability: various
    • When: Any date(s) between 17 February - 3 March 2026
    • Grant amounts: between $500–$5,000
    • Where: Various Ashfield & Marrickville Venues (see below)

 

    • Street Closure Event
    • Availability: 1 x grant 
    • When: 22 February 2026 between12pm-6pm
    • Grant amount: $20,000 
    • Where: Hercules Street, Ashfield

Please read the Info Sheet here Pop-Up Events and the Street Closure Event before applying.

More Details

1. Pop-Up Event Funding: A number of grants between $500 - $5000 ex GST for various activities between 17 February - 3 March 2026

Events may include small to medium scale live performances, parades, workshops, discussions, exhibitions, talks, community gatherings or local markets.

Successful projects for Pop-Up Event Funding must:

    • Deliver a project in either the Ashfield-Djarruwunang ward OR Marrickville-Midjubri ward of Inner West Council (view a ward map here)
    • Commemorate the Lunar New Year or celebrate cultures that observe Lunar New Year
    • Occur between 17 February - 3 March 2026
    • Be free to enter. This can include free registration for venues with limited capacity
    • Cover their own costs for event venues and permits if venue not included in the below

Council Venues available for hire with fee waived (pending date availability)

    1. Ashfield-Djarruwunang: Ashfield Town Hall, Ashfield Civic Centre Forecourt, Activity rooms 1-4
    2. Marrickville-Midjubri: Marrickville Town Hall, Herb Greedy Hall, Marrickville Pavillion, Marrickville Pavillion learning rooms 1+2, Alex Trevallion Plaza, Marrickville Town Hall Forecourt

More information about Council venues and costs can be found here

2. Street Closure Event Funding: 1 x street closure event grant of $20,000 ex GST to hold an event on Hercules Street, Ashfield on Sunday 22 February 2026 between 12pm-6pm

The flagship event is a self-managed large-scale street festival that includes operational and infrastructure elements, programming including but not limited to a Welcome to country, and required staffing.

Successful project for Street Closure Event Funding must:

    • Deliver all or part of their project on Hercules Street, Ashfield as part of a road closure on 22 February 2026 between 12pm-6pm
    • Commemorate the Lunar New Year or celebrate cultures that observe Lunar New Year
    • Be free to enter (this can include free registration for venues with limited capacity)
    • Include all planning for a self-operated street festival, including but not limited to operational and infrastructure elements, programming including a Welcome to country, and required staffing.

GUIDELINES

To be eligible, activities must demonstrate that the event:

  • Brings the community together to celebrate Lunar New Year, or celebrate cultures that observe Lunar New Year 
  • Has outcomes that are delivered in Ashfield between 17 February - 3 March 2026
  • Is open to the public and has no entry or participation fee or charge

Applications are ineligible if the request for support: 

  • is part of ongoing administration or operational costs of the business or applicant.
  • Is for an event that has already occurred.
  • Is in support of a private event or is closed to the public.
  • Is for a project that does not take place in Ashfield or Marrickville wards
  • Does not involve the Inner West Community as active participants
  • Is from an applicant who is a current staff member of Inner West Council, a current or former Councillor of Inner West Council, political parties, or state or Federal Government agencies

Application outcome

Applicants will be notified of their application’s outcome by the end of November 2025.

Successful applicants will receive support of between $500 and $5000 (ex GST), or $20,000 (ex GST) from Inner West Council depending on funding type.

Council’s Creative Activations team will be available to provide expertise and advice on operational event delivery, ensuring that all regulatory requirements are met. Council can provide templates for event documentation including risk and safety management and scheduling.

 

For successful applicants

Agreement

A formal agreement will be sent to successful applicants. Inability to comply with the agreement may result in withdrawal of support. Applicants who do not meet their obligations under the grant agreement may not be eligible to apply for further grant support from Inner West Council. 

Payment and GST 

Payment information will be provided with the letter of offer. Grants will be paid in full upon receipt of a tax invoice. Organisations registered for GST should add GST to the grant amount. 

Recognition of assistance 

Successful applicants must acknowledge the Inner West Council for their activity at the activity and in any promotional material in relation to the activity. 

Activity Variations 

If there are significant changes to the funded activity, applicants must contact Council to confirm that the variation is acceptable prior to the activity. This includes but is not limited to, activity start and end dates, venues, fees and charges. 

Ready to Apply?

The application will ask for key information about yourself as project lead for your proposal including contact information and organisation/business details as applicable.

You will need to provide key information about the proposed project including proposed location, title, description, target audience and project timeline.  A balanced budget proposal is to be provided and there is an option to upload supporting material.

Please ensure you have all this information ready to input into your proposal. Incomplete and unsubmitted proposals will not be considered.