This weekend marks the Lunar New Year and you can join in the celebrations in the centre of Leicester.
Cosmopolitan Arts is thrilled to present its Lunar New Year celebration, which will be commemorating the Year of the Dragon, and taking place on 10th and 11th of February.
The festivities will commence on Saturday 10th February at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery, running from 11am to 4pm. A vibrant array of captivating performances and engaging workshops awaits attendees. Highlights include mesmerising dancing and musical showcases featuring traditional Chinese instruments, as well as immersive storytelling sessions. Workshops offer a hands-on experience with storytelling and creative crafting, delivering an enjoyable blend of entertainment and education.
The celebrations will continue on Sunday 11th February at De Montfort University, featuring a spectacular Lion Dance performance outside the food village at 3pm. Following this, a lively procession will kick off at 3.30pm from Jubilee Square, weaving its way through the town centre. The procession promises a fantastic display with lion dancers, puppets, dragons, and traditional Chinese symbols.
Culminating at Town Hall Square, the celebration will transform the area into a hub of excitement from 4.30pm onwards. The square will be alive with martial arts demonstrations, pyrotechnics, lion dancers, and more. The pinnacle of the event will be marked by a breathtaking display of fireworks, providing a grand conclusion to the festivities. The entire experience guarantees to be a sensory delight for attendees of all ages.
The Lunar New Year celebration is free and open to the public. Please note that performances at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery will be ticketed due to capacity limits, with a rolling audience and scheduled time slots. Audience members can select these on the day from the Leicester Museum & Art Gallery reception. Families, friends, and community members are encouraged to join in the festivities and immerse themselves in the Year of the Dragon.
The Lunar New Year celebrations are made possible through the generous support of Arts Council England, Leicester City Council, and the Confucius Institute.
Find out more about Cosmopolitan Arts via their Facebook page.