Renowned for being one of the biggest celebrations across the globe, Chinese New Year falls on Saturday 10th February this year, seeing us say goodbye to the Year of the Rabbit and a big hello to the Year of the Dragon. 🐉
If you’re wondering why the Chinese New Year is on 10th February 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. People born in the year of the Dragon are often seen as confident, ambitious, and adventurous. They are also known to be passionate, strong-willed, and have excellent leadership qualities... 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 10th February - 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, historically, the parade has kicked off at 10am, with festivities starting in Trafalgar square from 11am. There will usually be live performances and the symbolic lion dances with the 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.
BRISTOL
The Canvas Bristol team are hosting a Fun Fair, welcoming all residents in the Common Space with, Chinese calligraphy and Dragon Drawing activities. There will also be Chinese snack packs for the lucky winners in our special prize draw. Don't miss the opportunity to celebrate with your fellows! Also, don't forget to check in and say Happy New Year / 新年快乐 to the team.
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.
MANCHESTER
Come together and join the Canvas Manchester team to decorate your site with lanterns on 10th February. You will also receive a red envelope for good luck! 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 once again to celebrate Chinese New Year for 2024, on 10th and 11th February. Kicking off from 12pm onwards, the dragon will be accompanied by traditional lion and ribbon dancers, Chinese Opera performers, 12 Zodiac animals, and even Ancient Army characters, as they all make their way to Manchester’s popular Chinatown, where there’ll be even more cultural celebrations and activities to get involved with. 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 weekend from 9th February - make sure to stop by the Reception to say Happy New Year / 新年快乐 to the team.
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.
BIRMINGHAM
Canvas Birmingham are celebrating in both locations. Who's ready to sing out loud to welcome the new year? Join The Old Fire Station and The Heights teams to celebrate with karaoke and some of our fave Chinese treats. Make sure to stop by the Reception to say Happy New Year / 新年快乐 to the team.
Birmingham Lunar New Year Festival 2024 will take place on Sunday 11th February 2024, with events across the city, centering in Chinatown. Expect dancing dragons, traditional folk music, delicious Chinese street food, fireworks, family activities and much more. Check out more info here.
GLASGOW
Bring your fave dish and join your fellow residents to celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Dragon with the Glasgow team in the Private Dining Room on 10th February. 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 will continue! Glasgow Royal Concert Hall will be hosting the Chinese New Year Gala on 18th February with a line-up of captivating performances that bridge the traditional and contemporary.
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 24th February . 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 lion and dragon 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 Dragon and we hope it’s a great one for all of you - now let's celebrate in style 💃
