Renowned for being one of the biggest celebrations across the globe, Chinese New Year falls on Sunday 22nd January this year, seeing us say goodbye to the Year of the Tiger and a big hello to the Year of the Rabbit 🐇
If you’re wondering why the Chinese New Year is on 22nd January and not 1st January, then let us enlighten you. The Chinese New Year is not based on the calendar you might find on your iPhone, but on a lunisolar calendar. As the name suggests, a lunisolar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon and the sun, and the Chinese New Year is held on the day of the first moon of this calendar (why you might also know it as Lunar New Year).
The other cool thing is that each year within the Chinese lunisolar calendar is represented by an animal (the 12 zodiac animals) and it's said that people possess certain traits of the animal of the year they were born. So anyone born in the Year of the Rabbit will be vigilant, witty, quick-minded, and ingenious... check out your Chinese zodiac animal here.
The best thing about the Chinese New Year though, is that it is one hell of a party! It’s actually a 7 day party in China as it’s a public holiday, so we thought what better opportunity to show off how our Canvas cities are celebrating.
LONDON
Canvas Wembley and Canvas Walthamstow are celebrating with fortune cookies and traditional Chinese goodies throughout the day on 22nd January - make sure to stop by Reception to say Happy New Year / 新年快乐 to the team.
Although the exact timings for this year’s Chinese New Year parade in Chinatown are still to be confirmed but historically, the parade has kicked off at 10am, with festivities starting in Trafalgar square from 11am. There will usually have live performances and the symbolic lion dances with lions’ eye-dotting ceremony.
Other than Chinatown, there are plenty of ways to celebrate in the capital - here's our top 5 suggestions:
🧧 Chow your way through London’s best Chinese restaurants
🧧 Enjoy one of the best Hot Pot meals at Haidilao
🧧 Check out lion dancing, red envelope making workshop and evening light shows at Greenwich's National Maritime Museum
🧧 Learn about Chinatown Stories on the ‘Community-led walking tour’
Got any more recommendations for how to celebrate Chinese New Year in London? Let us know at @canvas_studentuk.
MANCHESTER
The Canvas Manchester team are inviting the local artists to perform Chinese calligraphy and traditional paper cutting in the Social Space. You can also take one piece of artwork to decorate your room. There will also be a Lucky Draw competition with free bubble tea to win some prizes. Make sure to stop by the Reception to say Happy New Year / 新年快乐 to the team.
Manchester's legendary Dragon Parade will return to the city's streets to celebrate Chinese New Year for 2023 - for the first time in full for three years. Featuring a 175ft long dragon, the parade will depart on a new route from Manchester Central Convention Centre from 12pm all the way to the city centre. It will also feature traditional Lion and Ribbon dances, Chinese Opera performers, 12 Zodiac animals and Ancient Army characters. Check out the full details here.
Plus, make sure to check out our favourite Chinese restaurant in Manchester:
🚶 45-47 Faulkner Street (upper ground floor), Manchester M1 4EE - 17 min walk from Canvas Manchester
Got any more recommendations for how to celebrate Chinese New Year in Manchester? Let us know at @canvas_studentuk.
COVENTRY
Canvas Coventry are celebrating in all 3 locations. In Arundel House, City Point and City Club, you will find fortune cookies and traditional Chinese goodies throughout the day on 22nd January - make sure to stop by the Reception to say Happy New Year / 新年快乐 to the team.
The Confucius Institute at Coventry Uni are also inviting the Coventry community to take part in Tai Chi and Qitong lessons and a spinning wheel competition to win some super exciting prizes - tonnes of excuses to celebrate Chinese New Year, even if you don't currently attend Coventry Uni.
Plus, make sure to check out our favourite Chinese restaurant in Coventry:
🚶 3 Fairfax St, Coventry, CV1 5SR - 10 min walk from Canvas Coventry Arundel House
Got any more recommendations for how to celebrate Chinese New Year in Coventry? Let us know at @canvas_studentuk.
BRISTOL
The Canvas Bristol team are celebrating with Karaoke and traditional Chinese treats in the Common Room. Who will be the next star? Don't miss the opportunity to sing out loud! Also, don't forget to check in and say Happy New Year / 新年快乐 to the team.
Bristol Museum will be welcoming the Year of the Rabbit with a range of live performances - from traditional Chinese dances to martial arts demonstrations. There'll also be a rabbit detective trail where you can search for rabbits throughout the museum (and channel your inner child).
Plus, make sure to check out our favourite Chinese restaurant in Bristol:
🚶 Haymarket Walk, Bristol, BS1 3LN - 11 min walk from Canvas Bristol
Got any more recommendations for how to celebrate Chinese New Year in Bristol? Let us know at @canvas_studentuk.
GLASGOW
The Canvas Glasgow team are celebrating with everyone's favourite - bubble tea! There will also have the Tracey's Bonanza Bingo to really celebrate in style! Don't forget to check in and say Happy New Year / 新年快乐 to the team.
This year, the celebration of Chinese New Year in Glasgow has come back! Mitchell Library will be celebrating the New Year with a range of craft activities for all ages from 11am to 12:30pm on 21st January.
Plus, make sure to check out our favourite Chinese restaurant in Glasgow:
🥠 Chow
🚆 98 Byres Rd, Glasgow, G12 8TB - 20 min journey from Canvas Glasgow
Or if you feel more comfortable staying at home, check out a few ideas for celebrating Chinese New Year virtually.
Got any more recommendations for how to celebrate Chinese New Year in Glasgow? Let us know at @canvas_studentuk.
Utrecht
The Dutch national celebration of the Chinese New Year takes place in the Hague on 21st January . The streets of the city come alive with a colourful parade of lions and dragons. In the Atrium of the Hague City Hall, there will be dance, music, a small Asian market and a variety of cultural activities. All activities are free of charge and the opening ceremony starts at 10.00 and the programme will end at 17.00.
Afterwards, head to our favourite Chinese restaurant in Utrecht:
🥠 Lok Fu
🚲 Vasco Da Gamalaan 9, 3526 ER Utrecht - 6 min bike ride from Canvas Utrecht.
Got any more recommendations for how to celebrate Chinese New Year in Utrecht? Let us know at @canvas_utrecht.
The Chinese believe a good start to the year spent with friends and family will lead to a lucky year, so all that is left to say is Happy Year of the Rabbit and we hope it’s a great one for all of you - now let's celebrate in style 💃