Leicester is set to burst into colour and celebration this month as Cosmopolitan Arts marks the Year of the Horse with a vibrant weekend of Chinese / Lunar New Year festivities across the city.
Taking place on Saturday 21 February and Sunday 22 February, the annual celebration promises an inspiring programme of performances, processions and participatory activities for all ages. Now in its ninth year, the festival has grown into the largest celebration of its kind in the region.
Picture credit: Visit Leicester
The festivities begin on Saturday at Highcross Leicester from 1pm to 6pm, where visitors can enjoy a packed programme of traditional and contemporary performances.
A major highlight this year will be a Leicester first — Bian Lian, a 300-year-old Chinese performance art in which skilled artists change brightly coloured silk masks in the blink of an eye using secret techniques. Audiences can also look forward to Yue opera and pipa performances, traditional fan and ribbon dances, and martial arts demonstrations including Tai Chi.
Throughout the afternoon, free hands-on workshops will offer families the chance to immerse themselves in Chinese culture, while lively lion dances and roaming processions add to the festive atmosphere.
Celebrations continue on Sunday at De Montfort University, where a spectacular lion dance will take place outside the Food Village at 3pm.
At 3.30pm, a colourful procession will depart from Jubilee Square, weaving its way through the city centre. Featuring lion dancers, dragons, giant puppets, Buddhas and symbolic figures from Chinese tradition, the parade will bring movement and music to Leicester’s streets.
The celebrations will culminate at Town Hall Square at 5pm with a large-scale New Year finale performance. The closing show will include pyrotechnics, fireworks, live music, lion dance and an impressive fire sculpture, promising a dramatic end to the weekend.
Amanda Leandro, founder and executive director of Cosmopolitan Arts, said: “We’re extremely proud to be returning for another year, making this our ninth year of Chinese / Lunar New Year celebrations in Leicester. Over the years, this festival has grown to become the biggest celebration in the region, showcasing beautiful and vibrant Chinese arts, culture and traditions, promising an unforgettable free and fun experience for the entire family.
“The events, organised by Cosmopolitan Arts, are held in partnership with Arts Council England, Leicester City Council and the Confucius Institute, and we’d like to sincerely thank them all, as well as Highcross and De Montfort University for their continued support.”
All events across the weekend are free to attend.
