Packed programme as Birmingham celebrates Lunar New Year

Birmingham’s Lunar New Year Festival shines a spotlight on the fantastic talent within the region and celebrates the many communities marking the Lunar New Year.

Celebrations will take place in Southside District on Sunday 11 February 2024, the full programme is available on the Birmingham Hippodrome website.

Lunar New Year 2024 is produced by Birmingham Hippodrome with principal partners Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee and Birmingham Chinatown Business Association. Uber Eats return as sponsors of the Festival Stage with the heart of the celebrations on Hippodrome Square.

Running from 12 noon until 6pm, expect all the favourites from the traditional waking of the Lion ‘Dim Jing’ to Dragon dances representing power, strength and good luck.

It will be a day of performance from Tai Chi to Chinese Opera to K-pop dance to martial arts showcases.

Chris Sudworth, creative director at Birmingham Hippodrome, said: "We are delighted that alongside our partners Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee and Birmingham Chinatown Business Association, and with the support of our funders, we can announce such a packed programme for Lunar New Year 2024.

"We can’t wait to welcome the community to the Southside District, inside and outside Birmingham Hippodrome, for a day of celebration, performances and family fun."

James Wong, chair of the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee, said: "Everyone’s favourites are on the bill for Lunar New Year 2024 from the traditional waking of the Lion ‘Dim Jing’ to Dragon dances representing power, strength and good luck for the New Year to Pom Pom – our giant 10 foot panda – out and about welcoming festival goers throughout the day, we look forward to seeing all your selfies!"

The Uber Eats Festival Stage in Hippodrome Square runs from 12pm until 6pm and will present a packed programme starting with the traditional waking of the Lion ‘Dim Jing’ starting the festivities with firecrackers.

Expect to see drummers, face changer performances, school choirs, musicians, K-Pop dance and traditional Chinese dance performances on stage at the heart of the festival site.

From 12pm until 5.30pm step into Birmingham Hippodrome’s foyer for free family activities and facepainting.

Decorate dragon puppets as well as trying calligraphy or colouring traditional Lunar New Year Zodiac animals and messages. Festival goers can write their own new year wish on a Dragon scale and pin it on a piece of newly commissioned Dragon artwork. These activities are supported by the Birmingham Chinese School.

Inge Street and Hurst Street are host to the Craft Market, Funfair Rides and Street Food from 12pm until 6pm and of course throughout the day look out for pop up surprises from dragon and lion dances to Pom Pom the giant ten-foot panda.

From 5.45pm gather in Hippodrome Square for the Fireworks Finale closing the festivities with a spectacular colourful display, the fireworks display is known in Chinese culture to drive away bad spirits and monsters who are afraid of loud sounds and the colour red.

Accessibility is at the heart of the Lunar New Year festivities, on the day head to the Access Hub at the front of Birmingham Hippodrome to find out about the festival, details on the chill out zone and accessible viewing point, borrow ear defenders, fidget toys and audio description headsets. The programme on the Uber Eats Festival stage will have British Sign Language interpretation throughout.