Everything You Need To Know About… Lunar New Year
An all-you-need-to-know guide to Newcastle's epic Lunar New Year celebrations
It’s nearly time to wish your Chinese friends ‘gong hei fat choy!' (that’s the Cantonese version, anyway) as the Year of the Snake is almost upon us.
Newcastle's Lunar New Year celebrations are a much-loved fixture on the city's cultural calendar and we’ve got all the info you need to make the most of it and take part in all the fun.
What is Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year is a festival that marks the start of the lunar new year - that is, the first new moon of the lunar calendar observed in China and other Asian countries. Also known as the Spring Festival, it's one of the biggest holidays celebrated by the Chinese community and Newcastle's Lunar New Year celebrations are always epic.
When is it?
Lunar New Year 2025 - aka the Year of the Snake - begins on Wednesday 29th January with Newcastle's official celebrations taking place the following weekend on Sunday 2nd February.
Where are Newcastle's Lunar New Year celebrations taking place?
The festivities kick off at Bath Lane on the edge of Newcastle's Chinatown - one of only five officially designated Chinatowns in the UK - at 11am where there'll be food vendors, stalls, arts and crafts and fairground rides. There'll also be crowd-warmer displays at the other end of Stowell Street near the Chinese Arch at 11am.
The event's epic Lunar New Year parade begins at 11:30am at Grey's Monument before making its way along Blackett Street and Gallowgate, towards the Chinese Arch and down Stowell Street - expect exciting Lion dances, Dragon dances, martial arts displays and firecrackers!
What will be happening?
Newcastle's Lunar New Year is a feast for the senses - a heady blend of colourful costumes, dances, food and music. The parade is a riot of colour and sound featuring stunning puppets, traditional lion and dragon dances and drummers and the festivities continue in Chinatown where there are all sorts of ways to get involved in and celebrate Chinese culture - from stalls and restaurants selling authentic Chinese food to music, arts and crafts activities like Chinese calligraphy and fairground rides.
Can I bring kids?
Absolutely – the whole thing has a strong family focus and there will be lots for children to see and do.
Is it free?
All the performances and activities are free, although obviously you’ll need money for the various stalls.
Will the restaurants in Chinatown be open?
Chinatown's restaurants will indeed be open and some will be doing specials, so check with your favourite to find out what they're planning. There'll also be a 'Food Corner' in place in Chinatown at the bottom of Bath Lane where some excellent local food vendors including will be dishing out delicious food.
The festivities around Lunar New Year are some of the most vibrant and colourful celebrations that take place in Newcastle. It's a fun day out for all the family too, so make sure you swing into the city on to witness Lunar New Year in Newcastle in all its glory!
Newcastle's Lunar New Year celebrations are taking place on Sunday 2nd February 2025. For more information, visit www.fb.me/e/59foyqPqQ.
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