Snakes on a Stroll: Lighting Up Chinatown for Lunar New Year
As the sun sets over Sydney, Haymarket Chinatown comes alive with the soft glow of neon lights and the playful presence of a snake family weaving through the Lunar New Year crowds. Snakes on a Stroll, designed by Basalt Studio in collaboration with Haymarket HQ, is more than just a sculpture—it’s a celebration of family, community, and the enduring traditions that shape our city.
This year’s Lunar New Year marks the Year of the Wooden Snake. Crafted from locally sourced marine plywood and reusable materials, the snakes embody sustainability while remaining deeply connected to cultural symbolism. Their red bodies and yellow bellies represent prosperity, positivity, and good fortune—core values in Asian culture and especially fitting for this season of new beginnings.
But it’s not just the craftsmanship or the cultural significance that make this installation special—it’s the story behind it. At the heart of Snakes on a Stroll is a touching personal tribute. The sculpture features a baby snake perched on Dad’s shoulders, reminiscent of a family taking a leisurely stroll through the festivities. This detail is a dedication to Basalt Studio’s Co-Founder Anthony Ho’s newborn child, who arrived just in time to join the celebrations this year. The baby snake is a small but meaningful detail that made this project all the more special to us. It’s a heartfelt moment captured in public art, blending personal milestones with the shared rhythms of community life.
What sets this installation apart is its ability to bridge generations. The block-style design—inspired by pixelated video games like Minecraft and classic Lego blocks—appeals to a younger generation raised in a digital, modular world, while the neon lighting pays homage to the historic signs that have long coloured Chinatown’s streets. This deliberate blend of old and new creates a cross-generational experience, inviting both nostalgia and curiosity.
By day, the snakes bring colour and curiosity to Dixon Street. By night, they come to life under the glow of Chinatown’s neon lights, blending into the energy of the city and creating a fun, interactive moment for visitors. Visitors don’t just pass by—they pause, take photos, and in doing so, they invite people to be part of the story—a story about coming together, celebrating, and sharing joy. Snakes on a Stroll is interactive in spirit, asking people to slow down, engage, and savour the moment.
This installation also speaks to the evolving identity of Sydney’s Chinatown. It’s not just about preserving tradition—it’s about growing it, reinterpreting it, and keeping it alive in new ways. Snakes on a Stroll is one of many steps toward this vision.
Snakes on a Stroll is part of a growing vision for public art in Chinatown that feels relevant, personal, and community-driven. We’re excited to continue this journey, with plans already in motion for Lunar New Year 2026, when the Year of the Fire Horse arrives. There’s something bold on the horizon, and we look forward to bringing more playful, meaningful moments to Chinatown in the years to come.
