Things to do on and off campus

Lunar New Year is a time for reflection and celebration. Welcoming the Year of the Horse, Leicester has many experiences celebrating the Chinese community and culture. 

On Campus

In halls

Lunar New Year celebrates community, tasty food and new beginnings, which you can share with your flatmates and friends. Here are some ideas to welcome this holiday into your halls:

• Decorate your living room or kitchen: Get crafty together and make some red lanterns or even practice your Chinese calligraphy.
• Cook a meal together: There are many traditional Chinese meals eaten during the Lunar New Year. Have a cook-off and see whose dish is the best.
• Exchange red envelopes: This is a nice bonding experience for you and your flatmates. Red envelopes symbolise good luck, so it could be a cute activity to sit down and write notes to each other and wish each other happiness and luck in the new year.

Our events

It's always good to see what we're hosting for special celebrations (and we always have something planned), and it's a great way to get to know other students living on campus.

Off Campus

This year's Lunar celebrations include a spectacular weekend of culture and community. Taking place across Leicester on Saturday 21st - Sunday 22nd February, the festival includes a variety of performances, processions and experiences for everyone.

Saturday 21st Feb

There will be a lively takeover of Highcross Leicester from 1pm-6pm. The programme includes:

• Live music
• A professional face changer
• Traditional fan and ribbon dances
• Dynamic martial arts demonstration
• Hands-on workshops

Throughout the day, traditional lion dances will animate across Leicester city centre, spreading good fortune, joy and positive energy.

Sunday 22nd Feb

The festivities continue on Sunday, with many vibrant performances transforming Leicester into one big Lunar festival.

• 3:00pm - Starting at De Montfort University with an incredible lion dance performance outside the Food Village.
• 3:30pm - The celebration bursts into action with a procession through Leicester from Jubilee Square. Featuring lion dancers, dragons, giant puppets, Buddhas and other symbolic figures from Chinese tradition.
• 5:00pm - The procession will come to an end at Town Hall Square, where the space will be transformed for a breathtaking finale show including fireworks, a lion dance, live music and much more.

Whether you're staying in halls celebrating or you're out in the town, the Lunar New Year celebration has something to offer for all. It gives everyone the opportunity to come together and welcome the Year of the Horse in a joyful, inclusive and culturally-rich atmosphere.