Hello Kitty Street Festival pops up in Sydney's Darling Square - News + Articles

Feb 01, 2022

For a three month long stint.

Sydney’s Darling Square is no longer recognisable – the Haymarket destination has been transformed into Hello Kitty Town as a part of the Harbour City’s Lunar New Year celebrations. Sydneysiders (and visitors) will have the next three months to drop by the street festival which is an ode to all things Sanrio, including its arguably most famous creation, Hello Kitty.

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What exactly can you expect from this Hello Kitty and co onslaught? Aside from a 5-metre-high inflatable Hello Kitty installation, you’ll be able to wander an outdoor exhibition dreamt up by a motley crew of graphic designers, illustrators and street artists from around the globe, including a mural from Melbourne’s own Justine McAllister.

But Hello Kitty Town isn’t just about artwork (nor its bevy of Lunar New Year-focused entertainment and interactive displays which are also promised), but food. There’s a slew of Sydney eateries which will be serving up themed delights for the entirety of the festival, with new specials set to be introduced weekly.

Chow down on Hello Kitty-inspired sangas (topped with Hello Kitty-esque ham bows) from Toastiesmith, Lazy Egg Burger from Auvers Dining, and Badtz-Maru-inspired cheeseburgers from Ume Burger among more. There will be drinks too, like Keroppi-inspired matcha bubble tea, and a Hello Kitty strawberry yoghurt crush from the Bubble Nini Tea crew.

Post-feed you will be able to grab a souvenir from the occasion with a handful of surrounding retailers offering you the chance to get your hands on limited-edition Hello Kitty merchandise, ranging from tshirts through to wallets.

Hello Kitty Town will run from today (February 1) to April 29. And while fun and games aplenty are promised throughout the three-month duration, it’s opening weekend looks like the most tempting time to visit. A special celebration of Lunar New Year will take place across February 5 and 6 with special entertainment incorporated into both days, including lion dancers who will perform at both 1.00 and 7.00pm.