Sheffield BID is pleased to announce its role as a major funding partner for the upcoming 2025 Lunar Chinese New Year Celebration, taking place on Saturday, 1 and Sunday, 2 February.
This vibrant festival, organised by Cultural Inclusive, will transform Sheffield city centre into a hub of cultural festivities, featuring live performances, workshops, food traders, and more.
1,000 Chinese lanterns will be illuminating Sheffield’s streets, with a main stage set in the Peace Gardens hosting a full schedule of performances.
A major highlight will be the World Champion Foshan Lion Dance Troupe, travelling from Foshan in China to perform in Sheffield for the first time. Known for their acrobatics and awe-inspiring movements on a towering 15-metre structure, this performance is set to be a truly spectacular moment in the city's calendar.
In addition to the impressive Lion Dance, festivalgoers will be able to explore 2-metre-high zodiac lanterns displayed across the city centre, each representing one of the Chinese zodiac signs. These lanterns will feature interactive QR codes, allowing visitors to discover their personal zodiac and explore the significance of the Year of the Snake.
Diane Jarvis, Head of Business Operations at Sheffield BID, said:
"We are thrilled to support this incredible celebration of culture and community for a second year. The Lunar New Year Festival is a wonderful opportunity for people from all backgrounds to come together and experience the rich traditions of South-East Asian and Chinese cultures.
"We look forward to seeing the city centre come alive with the vibrant energy of this festival."
The festival is presented by Cultural Inclusive, a Community Interest Company, with backing and support from Sheffield BID and Sheffield City Council.
For decades, Sheffield has marked the Lunar New Year with colourful performances at venues such as Sheffield City Hall. However, in 2024 the festival developed into a much larger outdoor celebration with Sheffield BID's support with ambitions for this to be an annual event on the major events calendar which generates significant visitor numbers at a noticeably quieter time of the year.
Photo credits from 2024: Tim Dennell
