Event Details

The main free, family‑friendly carnival and market takes place on Sunday 8 February, from 10am to 6pm in and around Market Square. Visitors

Lanterns, Lions, Dragons and a Month of Chinese Festivities

Lancaster’s Chinese New Year Festival returns in 2026 for its fifth year, starting on Saturday 31 January with a Chinese cultural show at The Grand, followed by the carnival and parade on Sunday 8 February.

Created by former Lancaster students Percy Lee and Josh Leung, the festival is proudly supported by Lancaster University and the Confucius Institute, bringing a vibrant city‑wide celebration to students, staff and local residents.

More than 5,000 visitors are expected to join the celebrations, which welcomes the Year of the Fire Horse.

The main free, family‑friendly carnival and market takes place on Sunday 8 February, from 10am to 6pm in and around Market Square. Visitors can look forward to:

· The official opening ceremony at 12noon on the Market Square plinth

· A colourful dragon and lion street parade

· Cultural workshop in Lancaster Library from 1pm including calligraphy, Chinese opera face‑mask painting and the chance to try traditional costumes

· Chinese dance, instrumental music and singing

· Kungfu demonstrations and drumming from Lancaster‑based Batala

600 red lanterns and festive banners will decorate New Street, Penny Street and Market Street for an entire month, and a cultural variety show at Lancaster Grand Theatre on Saturday 31 January (7.30pm) will bring a spectacular one‑night showcase of Shaolin kung fu, Kunqu opera, a youth Chinese orchestra, dancers, singers and vibrant traditional performances. Tickets are available from the theatre box office.

The festival is a non‑profit event, supported by Arts Council England, the National Lottery Community Fund, Lancaster University, the Lancaster University Confucius Institute, Lancaster BID, Lancashire County Council and Hainan Airlines.

Find out more https://www.lancasterchinesenewyear.com/