Chinese New Year Celebrations in Chester

11 am The event begins. The Lions will be woken and the colourful Lions and Dragon dance will commence in front of the Town Hall, Northgate Street.

12 noon   Lion and Dragon dance performance inside Storyhouse

12 - 2.30 pm   Tutors from Wah Lei Saturday Mandarin school based at the University of Chester and volunteers will deliver cultural workshops

1.15 pm   A celebration banquet with the Lions will take place at Panda Mami Restaurant - pre booking is recommended

The Chinese New Year is the most important celebration in the Chinese zodiac calendar and follows a 12-year cycle. Chinese legend states that The Emperor of Heaven asked all the animals to meet him on New Year’s Day and named a year after each of the twelve animals that came.