Lancaster Chinese New Year 2026 celebrates fifth anniversary with festival

Lancaster’s Chinese New Year Festival will bring together thousands of people to celebrate the best of Chinese culture.

This year’s festival marks the fifth anniversary of the event, the only Chinese festival of its type in Lancashire.

More than 5,000 visitors are expected to attend the celebrations, welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse.

Festival highlights include a cultural variety show and a street carnival. 

600 red Chinese lanterns – symbols of good fortune and blessing – along with festive banners will decorate New Street, Penny Street and Market Street for an entire month.

Josh Leung, from organisers, Popber, a Community Interest Company set up to help businesses in the city and supported by Chinese students from Lancaster University, said: “Lancaster Chinese New Year Festival 2026 aims to bring new energy and happiness to the community at the beginning of the year.

"The Year of the Horse itself is associated with energy, creativity, bravery, enthusiasm, and independence. Since we began we’ve received an outpouring of positive feedback and experienced many touching moments.

"Celebrating our fifth year is a major milestone.”

This year the cultural variety show takes place on Saturday 31 January at Lancaster Grand Theatre from 7.30pm.

A main feature will be Shaolin Kung Fu masters who will command the stage, blending discipline, strength and breathtaking speed.

Fifth-generation Kunqu successor Chloe Sun will take the audience into the refined world of China’s oldest operatic tradition with poetic gesture, silk-sleeved grace, crystalline vocals and storytelling.

The Youth Chinese Orchestra will bring a cinematic flair with traditional Chinese instruments alongside professional dancers who move effortlessly between classical and contemporary modern styles. In song there will be melodies that blend rich tradition with originality.

Josh said: “We’re bringing even more of what audiences love: more tradition, surprise and togetherness. Expect new arrangements, beautiful costumes and staging that brings you closer to the action.

Tickets available now from the Lancaster Grand Theatre box office and online from its website. 

On Sunday 8 February the free family-friendly carnival and market take place in and around Lancaster Market Square, 10am – 6pm.

The official festival opening ceremony is at 12 noon on the Market Square plinth, followed by a colourful, lively Dragon and Lions street parade.

At the carnival visitors can try workshops like calligraphy, Chinese traditional opera face mask painting and they can wear traditional costumes.

There will be Chinese dance, instrumental music, singing and a Kungfu demonstration and drumming by Lancaster-based Batala.

Special guests include the Mayor of Lancaster, Councillor Margaret Pattison, and Lancaster City Council leader, Caroline Jackson and representatives from Lancaster University.

Josh said: “Lancaster is home to a thriving Chinese community, including international students at Lancaster University. The festival is for everyone though and supports diversity and inclusivity in the city.

"Each year the cultural variety show is packed out and the free street carnival attracts thousands of people. The festival is now one of the region’s most popular events."

Chinese New Year falls on different dates each year because it follows the lunar calendar. It starts with the new moon, any time between 21 January and 20 February. In 2026, it begins on February 17 and ends on March 3.

According to legend, a creature – ‘Nian’ – would attack villages every new year. People used noise, bright lights, and red decorations to scare it away, traditions that continue today as firecrackers, fireworks, and red ornaments.

The free carnival is a non-profit event. It and the festival overall are supported by funding from a number of bodies. They include Arts Council England, the National Lottery Community Fund, Lancaster University, Lancaster University Confucius Institute, Lancaster BID and Lancashire County Council and Hainan Airlines.