Preparations are under way for the celebration of Chinese New Year, the celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar.
Also known as Lunar New Year, it is one of the most important dates on the Chinese calendar, and as such communities across the North East have been preparing to welcome in the Year of the Snake with a bang.
Every year, the region goes all out for Chinese New Year, with crowds flocking to events in all of the major cities, where a range of festivities are also being lined up, as well as in other towns and villages.
With celebrations happening up and down the region this weekend, we’ve rounded up a selection of events. From dragon dances to lighting lanterns, here’s what you can expect across the North East.
Newcastle
As we get closer to the big day, we have a better idea of timings of events around the city centre. Orbiting the iconic Stowell street, crowds are gathering to see the local community welcome in what will be the Year of the Snake, with the main celebration being held on Sunday, February 2.
The day-long event in Newcastle will include the annual parade – which features the traditional lion and dragon dances – plus music, performances and firecrackers. Starting at 11am there will be food on sale from a range of local vendors set up in Bath Lane, at the end of Stowell Street which is at the heart of Chinatown.
The parade will kick off the main attraction at 11.30am at Grey’s Monument, moving down Blackett Street where spectators will be able to view its spectacular costumes as it passes. Accompanied by drummers, the procession will make its way to Gallowgate then on to Stowell Street where it is expected to reach the Chinese Arch – the opposite end to Bath Lane – at midday.
This loud and colourful mix of performances, lasting around 45 minutes, will feature the likes of martial arts display teams from the Choy Lee Fut Kung Fu, Lion and Dragon Club, performing alongside traditional drummers.
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
Yvonne Ng, a member of the Chinese Festivities Group which organises the event, said: “Lunar New Year is a hugely important festival in the Chinese calendar and we are delighted that Newcastle embraces the traditions and supports the festivities. We urge everyone to come into the city to experience the delights of traditional Lunar New Year celebrations in all their loud, colourful and fire-cracking glory.”
The day’s programme, which will run until 4pm, promises to be a feast of entertainment, immersed in the traditions of Chinese culture. Chinatown will be running a range of family activities and families can visit an arts and crafts tent in Bath Lane and enjoy fairground rides.
The best thing about the festivities is that it costs nothing to attend, and is the perfect way to ring in the Year of the Snake with a bang.
Local libraries across Newcastle are offering traditional crafts for the little ones until Saturday but there’s even more at Newcastle City Library. Drop by on level 3 at 11am or 2pm on Saturday to hear a story or two and to take part in a traditional Chinese craft, suitable for all the family.
In the shopping areas, many shops have special releases for Lunar New Year, with some even holding events. Molton Brown are offering a festive event with a complimentary hand and arm massage in store and refreshments, all you need to do is reserve a spot for free.
Other shops such as Lush and Rituals have special releases for the celebration, with many local restaurants also putting on special banquets. Find out more about the best rated restaurants on Stowell street.
Sunderland
Sunderland are hosting their own celebrations and are kicking it off a little later in the new year. The festivities start on Sunday February 9, and seek to take over Sunniside Gardens.
The event runs from 11am to 3pm, and is free to join in with no booking ahead required. The programme will include a range of musical performances including classical and modern dance, as well as musicians playing Chinese classical instruments and a fashion show. There’s also creative workshops like bookmark making and origami, food from Arigato and XL Sushi and more.
Sunderland Council are hoping for this year to be the biggest celebration yet, so make sure you add it to your Lunar calendar.
If you’d rather do something sooner, then on Saturday you can head over to the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens to see what the Year of the Snake is all about; snakes! Families have the opportunity to get up close and personal with some slithering snakes, and learn all about their natural habits and habitats.
The snakes you can meet vary in size and scariness, with Snub Nose, Corn and Milk snakes being very small and friendly, the Sand Boa being a little more intimidating, and the Royal Python for the braver kids. Run by Guy Tansley from Bugs n Stuff, it’s the perfect outing to ring in the Year of the Snake. You can book onto the session for £2 per child, with adults going free.
With the brand new Culture House due to open in the city come autumn, we’re sure that next year’s celebrations will be even bigger and even better.
Durham
Further south, Durham are going all out on the New Year celebrations! There are events across the city from many different organisations, so you’ll be able to find something for anyone.
With the official city celebrations on Saturday comes a little more shock and awe. The traditional Lion Dance will be performed by Oceans Apart Kung Fu Club. The first performance will be in Durham Market Place at 12.30pm when the Mayor of Durham will do her best to catch to lucky lettuce and bring good fortune to the city for the coming year. Food stalls are also present if you want to grab some traditional food for lunch.
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
If you can’t make it to the Market Place at that time, then let the dance come to you! The procession will make its way around Durham, the times and locations of the performances are 12.50pm at Prince Bishops Place, 1.10pm at Elvet Bridge, 1.40pm at Framwellgate Bridge, 2pm at Market Place (again), and finally 2.20pm at Clayport Library.
Between Clayport Library and Market Place, there are even more activities on offer. At the library, between 10.30am and 3.30pm children’s crafts are being held, with the chance to make lanterns, paper snakes and more. The Oriental Museum in Durham also has some objects for handling to get hands on with the culture.
For those a little more mature, between 12pm and 2.30pm, there are drop-in language taster sessions courtesy of Durham University, as well as calligraphy sessions.
At the student’s union, they are hosting an amazing showcase that is free to attend. With a traditional tea ceremony followed by a fantastic performance of music, song and dance performed by members of the Chinese Scholars and Students Association, the Han Fu Society and Durham Chinese School.
There is a wide range of musical instruments on display in the show, with solos from traditional instruments like the erhu, hulusi, guzheng and pipa. As well as that, there will be some vocal and dance performances, concluding with a costume show featuring Chinese costume from all across China, and across the centuries.
Over at the Oriental Museum, they offer free entry all day, with access to all their stunning displays. From 1 to 3pm they are offering a crafts class to make snakey shadow puppets. Later in the month on February 12, they are hosting their spectacular lantern festival. From 6 to 8pm, music will be performed by Chinese Durham University students, dragon dancing, storytelling and more snake-themed crafts.
The museum is also welcoming the Moi Fa Lion dance team, who will be performing with their amazing lion costume and drumming, which promises to be a spectacular sight. New Year snacks will also be on offer, but this is a ticketed event so make sure you book ahead on their website. Tickets are £3 with children under two going free.
Further from Durham University Students is a gala being held on Tuesday February 4, promising an evening of laughter, joy, and cultural celebration. Presented by Durham University Chinese Society, there are even chances to win prizes at the event, as well as automatically receiving a commemorative ticket and a special gift bag with exclusive goodies.
The performances are intended to celebrate tradition and the promise of a bright future, with the themed performances being Heartfelt Journey to Home, Dreams of Youth, A New Dawn of Brilliance and Hope for the Future. This event is also ticketed, so make sure you snatch up a ticket ahead of the gala.
Find out more in our dedicated Durham guide to Chinese New Year.
Northumberland
Unfortunately, towns and cities across Northumberland haven’t any large celebrations planned, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate in your own home. Finding a great Chinese takeaway, or even trying to cook the cuisine yourself, can be a nice quiet alternative for going out to see the dragon dances in person.
That’s all the big events happening across the region, with a lot of planning having gone into all of the festivities, it’s sure to be a year to remember.
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