
Tomorrow (Wednesday, January 29) we welcome the Year of the Snake in Birmingham. While the big Chinese New Year celebrations won’t happen until the weekend – read more about that here – you can still expect a blaze of colour to dance through the Birmingham streets.
To celebrate Chinese New Year, which marks the start of the lunar calendar, Birmingham’s Chinese Festival Committee has put together a traditional Chinese lion dance tour of the city centre. You will be treated to an energetic performance that symbolises blessings, power and wisdom, while warding off evil spirits.
The tour will kick off at Birmingham Council House where the Leader, Cllr John Cotton and cabinet members will welcome the Lion. It will then proceed down Colmore Row, through the Business District before travelling to Nechells to delight pupils at St Clement’s School, followed by a visit to Wing Yip Supermarket and Aston University.
James Wong, owner of Chung Ying Cantonese, said: “I have been organising the lion dance tour for five years now and I love seeing the joy it brings to people’s faces. The vibrant spectacle always brings a smile to people of all ages, and accompanied by the beating drums and clashing cymbals, it’s an experience I believe everyone should experience.”
This celebration marks the arrival of the Year of the Snake, a symbol of growth and renewal. People born in this year are believed to embody the snake’s traits of wisdom, intuition and charm. While your lucky numbers include 2, 8, and 9, and your lucky colours are black, red, and yellow.
The Birmingham Chinese New Year celebrations will then continue around Chinatown over the weekend, with the main event happening on Sunday, February 2 from 12 pm to 6 pm – expect more lion and dragon dances, Pom Pom the 10ft panda and a stunning fireworks finale at 5.45 pm. Throughout the weekend, enjoy street food, funfair rides and market stalls too.
Jeffrey Yap, chair of the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee said: “The festival has become a cherished event on the region’s calendar. Last year, over 30,000 people visited Southside to enjoy traditional Chinese performances, K-Pop and delicious street food. Chinese New Year is not complete without a visit to Chinatown and I’m confident this year’s festivities will be just as lively and well-loved. Kung Hei Fat Choy!”
The lion dance tour of Birmingham (Wednesday, January 29):
- 9am – Birmingham Council House
- 9.30-10am – Colmore Row
- 10.30 – St Clements School, Nechells
- 11/11.30am – Wing Yip Supermarket
- 3.30pm – Aston University