Looking for the best Chinese New Year events in the Midlands for 2025?
Whether you’re in Birmingham, Buxton, Nottingham, or anywhere in between, we’ve rounded up the top celebrations, parades, and family-friendly activities to welcome the Year of the Snake in style. From dazzling dragon dances and traditional lantern displays there’s something for everyone.
Don’t miss out on the festivities – explore our guide to the Midlands’ must-visit Chinese New Year events happening near you in January and February 2025.
Keep popping back for another look as we update the post regularly with new events as and when they are announced.
Birmingham City Centre
Celebrate Chinese New Year in Birmingham – A weekend of FREE festivities not to be missed!
Mark your calendars! Birmingham’s city centre will transform into a hub of colour, culture, and community as we welcome the Year of the Snake with an incredible weekend of celebrations. Starting on Saturday 1st February, the festivities kick off with vibrant lion and dragon processions weaving through Bullring & Grand Central. Expect captivating performances that will bring the city alive with energy and excitement.
The celebrations continue on Sunday 2nd February, where Hippodrome Square and Chinatown will host the Uber Eats Festival Stage – a fantastic showcase of talent from Birmingham’s Chinese community. From traditional music and dance to modern theatre performances, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
But that’s not all! Across the weekend, Southside will be buzzing with craft markets, mouth-watering food stalls, and plenty of family-friendly activities. And to cap it all off? A spectacular firework display on Sunday evening that promises to light up the skies as we bid farewell to the old year and embrace the new one in true Birmingham style.
Jeffrey Yap, Chair of the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee, shared his excitement: “Last year’s celebrations were unforgettable, drawing over 38,000 people to Southside. This year will be even bigger and better, with traditional lion awakenings, dragon dances, and performances from amazing local artists.”
Chinese New Year 2025 is co-produced by Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee and Birmingham Hippodrome, with the support of Bullring & Grand Central, Uber Eats, and Southside District. Stay tuned for the full programme announcement in January, and get ready to make some memories this February!
For more details, visit: https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/chinese-new-year-2025/
Buxton
Chinese New Year Extravaganza
Get ready for a dazzling evening of entertainment as the Chinese New Year Extravaganza comes to Buxton Opera House on Saturday 18th January 2025 at 7:30pm!
This spectacular celebration, brought to you by Jinlong Culture & Performing Arts, promises an unforgettable night as we welcome the Year of the Snake. Prepare to be amazed by the UK’s first Illuminated Dragon, cheerful lion dances, playful pandas, and Britain’s finest Kung Fu performances. Plus, this year, there are exciting new acts specially designed to spread joy and blessings for the Lunar New Year.
Bursting with colour, energy, and fun, this family-friendly show is perfect for audiences of all ages. Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in Chinese culture or simply enjoy a magical evening, this extravaganza is the ultimate way to start your 2025 Lunar New Year celebrations!
Don’t miss out – grab your tickets now and make it a night to remember!
Book your tickets here: https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/chinese-new-year-extravaganza
Nottingham
Nottingham Lunar New Year Gala
Celebrate the Year of the Snake in style at the Nottingham Lunar New Year Gala! Taking place on Sunday 2nd February 2025 at the Djanogly Theatre, this unforgettable event will feature a dazzling blend of traditional and contemporary performances by the talented Confucius Institute for Traditional Chinese Medicine at London South Bank University Art Troupe.
From the beautiful melodies of Chinese Guzheng and Pipa music to breathtaking Kung Fu routines and the ever-popular lion dance, the evening promises to captivate audiences of all ages. Each performance showcases the spirit of renewal, wisdom, and prosperity that the Year of the Snake symbolises.
Tickets are just £10 (£8 if purchased before 26th January), making this the perfect way to immerse yourself in Chinese culture and start the new year.
Book your tickets here: https://www.lakesidearts.org.uk/event/lunar-new-year-gala/
Staffordshire
Trentham Estate
Celebrate Chinese New Year and explore Chinese tradition and culture at a special Chinese New Year event at Trentham on Feb 1st 2025.
There will be something for all ages, including free craft activities and much more!
For more details: https://trentham.co.uk/events/chinese-new-year-celebrations/
Worcester
Walsall
Celebrate Lunar New Year with Chinese folk fan dancing and lion dancing from DANS Chinese Dance and Performing Arts at The New Walsall Art Gallery and Museum.
Have a go at calligraphy, print lucky red envelopes (Hongbao) with artist Mengxia Liu, and complete the Red Gallery Trail.
FREE drop-in event. Saturday 1 February 2025 from 12pm to 4pm.
Know of any more events that we may have missed? Please do get in touch.