Lunar New Year celebrations return to Birmingham in February

Lunar New Year celebrations will take place in Birmingham on Sunday 11 February 2024, it has been announced.

Supported by Southside District and The Arcadian, the festivities and celebrations will take place in and around Birmingham Hippodrome, throughout the Southside District, and will include performances, family activities, craft market stalls and a spectacular firework finale, welcoming in the Year of the Dragon.

James Wong, Chair of the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee said: “It was wonderful to be back in Southside last year shining a light on the fantastic talent in our region and recognising all communities celebrating Lunar New Year and we are delighted to be back this year.

“We will share our full programme for the celebrations soon but visitors can expect all the favourites from the traditional waking of the Lion ‘Dim Jing’ to Dragon dances representing power, strength and good luck. I’m sure audience favourite Pom Pom – our giant ten-foot Panda – will also make a return for all those selfie moments throughout the Festival.”

Lunar New Year 2024 – Year of the Dragon

Chris Sudworth, Creative Director at Birmingham Hippodrome added: “The 2023 Lunar New Year celebrations were our biggest yet and it was wonderful to be back home in Southside.

“2024 will see the festival develop again, as our long-time partners Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee are joined by Birmingham Chinatown Business Association, working with us to curate a programme that celebrates the communities of Chinatown and Southside alongside professional performers.

“We’re delighted we can throw open our doors for family activities in the Hippodrome foyers and performances in the Patrick Studio; and the excitement continues with a funfair in Inge Street and Hurst Street and the firework finale over The Arcadian. Make sure you have the date in your diary – 11 February 2024 – and join us in welcoming in the Year of the Dragon.”

Kin Bong Lam, Chair of the Birmingham Chinatown Business Association added: “We are delighted to be working alongside Birmingham Hippodrome and Chinese Festival Committee Birmingham to continue to build Chinatown’s reputation as the place to be for the Lunar New Year Celebrations. We are keen to support and encourage the prosperity of the area, and of the Festival, not just for 2024 but for future Lunar New Year celebrations and future generations.”

Lunar New Year 2024 is produced by Birmingham Hippodrome in partnership with Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee and Birmingham Chinatown Business Association. This year’s Festival is supported by Southside District and The Arcadian.