We're currently in the midst of the Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year, which started on the 29th January and runs until the 12th February. This year is the year of the Snake - so if you're born in 2025, or any other year of the snake, you're thought to be mysterious, smart, wise, and caring. We've had a look around to find some of the best Chinese New Year Spring Festival activities going on across the UK...
Bristol Chinese New Year celebrations at Bristol Museum
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery has a packed schedule of celebrations this Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th February. You don't need to book, but they do expect to be busy and once they're at capacity they'll implement a 1-in-1-out policy, so they warn you to expect a queue and to come dressed suitably for the weather if you're waiting outside. Donations are welcome.
Their activities include crafts, selfies with their "roving pandas", a snake trail to take you around the museum, and lots of demonstrations and shows including martial arts, music and dance - including lion dances. Do check out their website to see the schedule so you can time your visit for what you'd most like to see (although bear in mind you might be best off being early to get in).
London: Lunar New Year at the Museum of Home
On Tuesday the 18th February, The Museum of Home have a day of Chinese New Year activities for little ones. There will be a free craft session for kids where they can make some special snakes and play with shadows, as well as have fun with instruments and face paint, the opportunity to make a play den, and enjoy some musical story telling from Tony Tang. It's free entry and you can read more about it here.
Sheffield Museums Dragon Puppet Making for the Lunar New Year
If you're in Sheffield, head over to Weston Park Museum on Tuesday 18th February from 12pm to join in with some dragon puppet making. They've also got a very special lion dance starting at 2pm, before the events finish at 3pm. You don't need to book but they ask for a £3 donation.
Liverpool: Chinese New Year Craft and Dragon Dance at National Museums Liverpool
Head to the Museum of Liverpool on Saturday the 8th or 22nd February to take part in some Chinese Lunar New Year crafting, which is free for all the family. Meanwhile on the 19th February children can take part in a lion dance workshop, where they'll learn the special dance steps required and the rhythm of the dance! Tickets for the workshop are £3 each. Then on Sunday 23rd February the museum are putting on a spectacular lion dance - check their website for times.
