Durham City Chinese New Year Celebrations
A day of celebrations will welcome in the Lunar New Year.
Join us on Saturday 1 February to celebrate with traditional music, dancing, storytelling and arts across Durham City Centre.
Traditional Lion Dance
Traditional Lion dancers will perform around the city centre throughout the afternoon., starting at Millennium Place at 12.30pm.
Free activities
Durham Town Hall will be hosting a range of activities featuring themed performances by schools, traditional Chinese music songs and dance.
Clayport Library will host language taster sessions and storytelling sessions throughout the day. Children will also enjoy creating some Lunar New Year themed arts and crafts to take home.
Clayport Library
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 11.00am | Chinese language taster session (20 mins) |
| 11.30am | Chinese language story telling session |
| 12.00pm | Chinese language taster session (20 mins) |
| 1.00pm | Chinese language taster session (20 mins) |
| 1.30pm | Chinese language story telling session |
| 2.00pm | Chinese language taster session (20 mins) |
Durham Town Hall - performance programme
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10.30am | School activity - St Oswald's |
| 10.45am | Blue and white porcelain Chinese dance |
| 11.00am | DURance dancing group - QingPing Yue |
| 11.15am | Classic Chinese Dance - 'You Know You Know' |
| 11.30am | School activity - Shincliffe Primary School |
| 11.45am | School activity - Langley Moor School |
| 12.00pm | Chinese Traditional Instrument Play - Erhu |
| 12.15pm | DURance dancing group - street dance and Street jazz dance with Chinese element |
| 12.30pm | Traditional instrumental ensemble |
| 12.45pm | School activity - Silver Tree |
| 1.00pm | DURance Dancing group - Soka |
| 1.15pm | Chinese Traditional Instrument Play - Guzheng + Flute |
| 1.30pm | School activity - Bearpark |
| 1.45pm | Mixmax band - a capella |
| 2.00pm | Chinese songs |
| 2.20pm | Tea Tasting |
| 2.30pm | HanBan fashion show |
| 2.45pm | Chinese songs |
| 3.15pm | School activity - St Margaret's |
Activity programme in Town Hall
| Activity | Participant(s) |
|---|---|
| Chinese Tea Art Show in Burlison Gallery | Miss Wenjun Jiang, Miss Shengmei Zhao and Miss Xiangyun Han (Durham Chinese School Volunteers) |
| Craft activities in Lantern Room | Mr Liguo Hu and school parents/pupils |
| Calligraphy | Miss Xinyao Sun (Durham Chinese School Volunteer) |
| Craft activities | Miss Shijing Fu (Durham Chinese School Volunteer) |
| Chinese drawings show | Miss Yue Chen, Miss Xiaohui Leng and Mr Yongqian Pan (Durham Chinese School Volunteers) |
| Chinese horoscopes | International Office |
| Craft activity for children | Oriental Museum |
| Durham University language centre - taster words | Dr Li Li |
Durham University Oriental Museum
Visit Durham University: Oriental Museum direct to book the following activities, admission charges will apply.
| Date and time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Monday 13 January to Sunday 16 February | Lunar New year: A family-friendly exhibition exploring some of the traditional celebrations. |
| Friday 25 January, 1.00pm to 3.00pm | Crowdcraft: Make Chinese lanterns and papercuts to decorate the Oriental Museum ready for a Lantern Festival. |
| Saturday 8 February, 6.00pm to 8.00pm | Lantern Festival: See the Oriental Museum lit by lanterns, try fantastic crafts, sample delicious New Year food and drink and listen to stories. |
Supported by
Lunar New Year celebrations and activities are supported by Durham Chinese School, Durham Markets, Durham University and the Chinese Students' and Scholars Association (CSSA).
