Chinese New Year in Newcastle: Plans announced for parade and celebrations

Plans have been unveiled for Chinese New Year celebrations in Newcastle.

With Chinese New Year taking place on Wednesday, January 29, this year the North East’s biggest celebrations will take over the city centre on the closest available weekend.

The 2025 Chinese New Year celebrations are set to be a spectacle of colour and sound taking place on Sunday, February 2 in Newcastle’s China Town. Celebrating the Year of the Dragon this year, the popular procession featuring the famous lion and dragon dance, is to begin at Grey’s Monument in the city centre at 11.30am.

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In honour of the year of the Snake, festival goers will be able to see the heralded Lion and Dragon Dance parade from 11.30am. The parade will start at Grey’s Monument and wind its way along Blackett Street and Gallowgate and culminate at the Chinese Arch at Stowell Street.

China Town in Newcastle is one of only five China Towns in the UK and sits at the heart of the Chinese community in the North East.

Other activities throughout the day of celebration include food vendors, fairground rides, arts and craft activities in Stowell Street and Bath Lane from 11am.

The council has confirmed the road closures in place to make way for the event. These will be closed on a rolling basis and will impact Blackett Street and Gallowgate only. These streets will open again once the parade and passed through the city.