(Minghui.org) Melbourne’s Chinese and Vietnamese communities held a series of Lunar New Year celebrations from late January through early March 2026.

Falun Dafa practitioners brought a joyful spirit to the celebrations, and their graceful performances added to the festive atmosphere and drew warm applause from the crowds.

The waist drum team was invited to perform at the temple fair in Braybrook on February 26.

The waist drum team demonstrate the Falun Dafa exercises at the temple fair in Braybrook on February 26.

A lively temple fair was held at Braybrook in western Melbourne on Lunar New Year’s Eve, February 16, drawing people to welcome the new year. The Falun Dafa practitioners’ waist drum team was invited to start the fair and later paraded through the fair ground several times.

Their bright golden costumes stood out against the evening lights, and the team’s changing formations moved in sync with the powerful drumbeats. Their performance drew crowds of onlookers, many stopping to watch, take photos, and cheer. Their energetic display became one of the highlights of the night’s celebrations.

Duy Quang Nguyen, President of Vietnamese Community in Australia (VCA), takes a group photo with the waist drum team.

The Tian Guo Marching Band performs at the 2026 Vietnamese Tet Lunar Festival in Footscray Park on February 28.

The Tian Guo Marching Band was invited to play at the 2026 Vietnamese Tet Lunar Festival in Footscray Park on February 28 and March 1. The band’s performance was warmly applauded.

Practitioners demonstrated the exercises on stage on February 28.

Practitioners set up a booth at the Glen Waverley Lunar New Year & Lantern Festival 2026 on March 1

Practitioners perform and introduce Falun Dafa at East Meets West Lunar New Year Festival 2026 in Footscray on January 25

The waist drum team performs at Victoria Street Lunar Festival 2026 in Richmond on February 1.

Visitors Learn About Falun Dafa

Georgia watched the practitioners’ performance and parade at the temple fair in Braybrook on February 16. She said she was touched.

“I just love Chinese New Year. It’s my favorite time of the year. I get so excited. The drums [waist drum team], the smiling faces, it’s exciting.”

Georgia

“The golden outfits, beautiful. It was stunning and gorgeous. I love it,” Georgia said. “When I smile you smile back. That’s compassion to me.

“There’s an authenticity because you’re not scared to be who you are. Honestly it’s hard to be that today, it’s hard to be honest, and it’s hard to be authentic. When I see people and moments and situations where it’s authentic, I’m just so excited and I want to be a part of it.”

Local resident Dean said that the waist drum performance was great. With its vibrant colors, loud and clear sound, and uplifting energy, the drum team added to the festive atmosphere and joy of the holiday.

He said it was important to tell people about the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and he thanked practitioners for their efforts. He said the values are much needed in today’s world, as “things around the world seem a little bit insane at the moment.”

Chris, a company director in Geelong, joined the celebration in Melbourne after driving one hour with his family on February 23. He and his wife signed the petition calling to stop the human rights abuse.

Chris said about the CCP, “All the stuff around censorship in their country. You can’t criticize the government there. They don’t have all the freedoms and things like that.”

Regarding the CCP’s escalating transnational repression, he said it was unacceptable and the CCP should not exist in Australia. He said he would share the information with friends.