Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee and Birmingham Hippodrome are once again teaming up for the city’s annual Chinese New Year event in February. You will find two days of celebrations in the city centre as we ring in the Year of the Snake – including fireworks, traditional music and street food.
“Last year’s festivities in Southside were incredible – over 38,000 people attended, making it the biggest ever day in Southside for Chinese New Year celebrations,” said Jeffrey Yap, Chair of the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee.
“We are excited to co-produce this year’s festival, which will not only see the return of the traditional waking of the Lion ‘Dim Jing’, Dragon dances and Pom Pom, our ten-foot giant Panda, but showcase brilliant performances from artists within our region. It’s going to be a fantastic weekend!”
What is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is a major holiday in China, as well as in places like South Korea, Vietnam, and other East Asian countries. The celebrations mark the beginning of the lunar calendar, which follows the moon cycles, the traditional Chinese calendar. The first day of the Lunar New Year begins with the first new moon of this calendar.
Each year in the lunar calendar is represented by one of 12 zodiac animals: the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. This year, 2025, is the Year of the Snake and takes place on Wednesday, January 29. Traditionally, it is a time to honour deities and ancestors, feast, and visit family. Celebrations often contain fireworks, food, lanterns and the colour red.
Where are the Chinese New Year celebrations in Birmingham?
The festivities will start on Saturday, February 1 at Bullring & Grand Central with Birmingham’s Choy Lee Fut Lion Dance group performing throughout the day with the Lions, Dragons and Buddha Man (12pm-3pm). Plus, you’ll also find Pom Pom The Giant Panda roaming around Rotunda Square, as well as a crafts market, food stalls, and funfairs in Southside (12pm-6pm).
Then, on Sunday, February 2, the UberEats Festival Stage returns to Hippodrome Square with a packed programme of local Chinese talent. You can expect everything from traditional and modern music, dance and theatre performances for all to enjoy. Kicking off at 12pm, the Chinese New Year celebrations culminate with a huge fireworks finale (5:45pm) – plus, more craft stalls and lion dances throughout the day.
Chris Sudworth, Creative Director at Birmingham Hippodrome added: “Chinese New Year Festival 2025 is all about giving local performers and communities a platform to shine… Alongside activities here in Southside, we look forward to festivities making a welcomed return to Bullring & Grand Central, bringing more people together to welcome in the Year of the Snake.”
To see the full schedule for Chinese New Year in Birmingham head here.