Birmingham is preparing for Chinese New Year 2025, marking the Year of the Snake with a vibrant weekend of events coming up in February. The celebrations promise a mix of tradition and modernity, drawing crowds to the city centre, Chinatown, and beyond.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00The festivities for the Chinese New Year will centre around the city's Chinatown, Hippodrome
00:07Square and the surrounding areas, creating a vibrant atmosphere for residents and visitors
00:12alike.
00:14The weekend begins on Saturday with Lion and Dragon processions in collaboration with Boring
00:19and Grand Central, bringing these iconic cultural performances to life.
00:24These processions will weave through the city centre, showcasing the beauty and significance
00:29of this ancient tradition.
00:31Visitors can also enjoy pop-up performances and interactive workshops designed to give
00:36attendees a hands-on experience of Chinese arts and crafts.
00:41On Sunday, the focus will shift to Hippodrome Square, where the Uber Eats Festival Stage
00:46will host a variety of performances.
00:49Traditional music and dance will feature alongside modern acts, reflecting the fusion of heritage
00:54and contemporary influences in today's Chinese culture.
00:59Families can explore Chinatown, which will be transformed into a bustling hub of activity.
01:04Food stores will serve authentic dishes, while markets will offer handmade crafts and souvenirs.
01:10A major highlight of the celebrations will be the fireworks display on Sunday evening.
01:15The display is expected to draw large crowds and will symbolise prosperity and good fortune
01:20for the Year of the Snake.
01:22In addition to the main weekend, the University of Birmingham is hosting a Lunar New Year
01:27concert on the 16th of January, with internationally acclaimed musicians celebrating the occasion.
01:34Later in February, a lantern parade will bring the festivities to a close, marking the end
01:39of the New Year period with a spectacle of light and colour.
01:42Organised by the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee and Birmingham Hippodrome, with
01:47support from local sponsors and businesses, the celebrations aim to bring communities
01:51together while highlighting the richness of Chinese culture.