Chinese New Year Parade: Newcastle Council unveils plans for weekend of celebration

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 Snake.

The celebrations will start at Grey’s Monument at 11.30am with the procession making its way through Blackett Street, Gallowgate and arriving at the Chinese Arch on Stowell Street at midday.

In the shadow of the Chinese Arch, spectators and VIP guests will be treated to a loud and colourful 45-minute performance with lion and dragon dancers, martial arts display teams from the Choy Lee Fut Kung Fu, Lion and Dragon Club, and traditional drummers and firecrackers providing a musical backdrop.

The parade and performances will include 11 different community and school groups, each showcasing traditional Chinese arts, dances, and displays. Among the participants are a local school and a scout troupe, who will parade with 6ft snakes created by pupils and cubs.

Students from the Mandarin-speaking Chinese school in Jesmond will play drums while a team from the Cantonese-speaking Chinese School in Heaton will demonstrate traditional lion and dragon displays.

Other highlights include a Tai Chi performance with dancers dressed in traditional costumes and a re-enactment of a celebratory rowing dance, historically performed in Chinese fishing villages during festive occasions.

At the end of the display, the lion and dragon dancers will visit all the restaurants on Stowell Street as part of a traditional ceremony bringing good luck and fortune to venues, chasing away evil spirits and the bad luck they bring.

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Local food vendors will line Bath Lane from 11am, selling food and refreshments. Families can also enjoy fairground rides and an arts and crafts tent, making it a great day out for all ages.

Cllr Abdul Samad, Newcastle City Council Cabinet Member for Culture, Music and Arts said: "Newcastle is proud to host the Lunar New Year festivities as a vibrant testament to our city's rich cultural diversity. These celebrations are not just about ringing in the Year of the Snake but about embracing and honouring the various cultures that make up our great community.

“We warmly invite everyone to come into the city and join in the joyous occasion, supporting local businesses and immersing themselves in the colourful and captivating traditions of Lunar New Year. Let's celebrate our diversity and make this a truly unforgettable event."