Chinese New Year

Home to one of only five official Chinatowns in England, it makes sense that the city’s Chinese New Year celebrations are epic. Centred in and around Stowell Street, the festival marks the start of the lunar new year and sees thousands of visitors flock to the city to celebrate Chinese culture along with the city’s Chinese community.

A whole host of family-friendly fun is offered each year with funfair rides, traditional Chinese music and martial arts demonstrations alongside craft activities like lantern making and Chinese calligraphy, plus tonnes of food stalls and Chinatown restaurants offering special deals to celebrate the day.

The pinnacle of the celebration is the much-loved Chinese New Year parade which sees a procession of traditional dancers and skilled performers operate awe-inspiring dragon, unicorn and lion puppets as they weave their way through the streets of Chinatown to the beat of drums, gongs and firecrackers.

Chinese New Year falls between 21 January and 20 February, depending on the date of the first new moon. For more information about this year’s celebrations, visit the North East Chinese Association website.