Chinese New Year in Newcastle: Parade date, times, where to park and more
One of the first annual events of the year takes place in Newcastle this weekend.
Each year Chinese New Year sees a parade run through the city centre, culminating in China Town in the heart of the city.
The event returns this year and this is everything you need to know about Chinese New Year in Newcastle for 2026.
Newcastle will celebrate with festivities, starting with the famous dragon and lion dance parade through the heart of the city centre, with drummers and dancers helping ring in the Lunar New Year – the Year of the Fire Horse.
The main event will take place on Sunday, February 22.
The celebrations will start at Grey’s Monument at 10:45am before with procession gets underway at 11:30am.
The parade will make its way through Blackett Street, Gallowgate and arriving at the Chinese Arch on Stowell Street.
Celebrations are expected to continue around Chinatown until around 4pm.
The 2025 event got underway slightly later than the 2026 edition, with a special ceremony taking place this year. February’s event will see the first time a new dragon has been used in the city for years, with a Dragon Eye Dotting Ceremony awaking and blessing the new dragon.
Leading the parade will be Newcastle’s new 13-metre long dragon with its newly opened eyes, choreographed by a team of 15 dancers from Newcastle’s Kung Fu, Lion and Dragon Club.
Celebrations at Stowell Street start at 11.00am when a group of VIP guests will be welcomed by the Chinese Festivities Group.
Food vendors and community groups will run activites from 10:30am until 4pm.
The closest multi storey car park to the event will be at The Gate on Stowell Street, although this will be closed to make way for activities throughout much of the afternoon.
Elsewhere Eldon Square and Grainger Town car parks will be welcoming those looking to celebrate.