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The Sheffield culture guide written by in-the-know locals

Join in the celebrations of the Lunar New Year in Sheffield with a festival extravaganza in February 2025.

Welcoming the Year of the Snake, the festival features a spectacular illumination of a dragon at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, a weekend fair in the Peace Gardens, and an evening of cultural performances at the Octagon Centre.

The Sheffield Chinese Lunar New Year Festival showcases the city's cultural richness and commitment to community, all while supporting the work of The Children’s Hospital Charity.

Programme:

In the run-up to the main events, there'll be a Light Switch-On at Sheffield Children's Hospital on 30 January, and performances at Meadowhall on 31 January.

Peace Gardens Lunar Fair
1–2 February, from 12pm, Peace Gardens, free
With an acrobatic lion dance, over 1,000 Chinese lanterns, interactive Chinese Zodiac statues, a dragon dance and parade, live music and performances, and food stalls. As well as the Chinese cultural showcase, there'll also be a global influences with Bollywood dance, African drumming, and Roma Flamenco presented by Welcoming Culture.

Spectacular Show
Monday 10 February, Octagon Centre, £12–15 – book now
With traditional dragon dancing, singing and more. Plus an exhibition of captivating photos showcasing Chinese culture from Sheffield-based photographer Yu Wang.

The festival is organised by Cultural Inclusive CIC, with Jerry Cheung of the New Era development, Kelvin Quick of the restaurant China Red, among others.

Follow the organisers on Instagram for updates.

Photos by Yu Wang

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