Birmingham Lunar New Year Festival 2024: date announced for celebrations at Hippodrome & Arcadian

Lunar New Year celebrations will take place in Birmingham this February.

Dragon dances, music, delicious food and more will be on offer as one of the city’s key festivals makes a welcome return to Southside, including The Arcadian and newly developed Hippodrome Square.

The Birmingham Lunar New Year Festival will take place this year on Sunday, February 11, 2024. This year’s festivities are supported by Southside District and The Arcadian.

Celebrations and free events will take place in and around Birmingham Hippodrome, throughout the Southside District, and will once again include performances, family activities, craft market stalls and a spectacular firework finale, welcoming in the Year of the Dragon.

There will be a packed programme of performances and festivities all day to celebrate the official first day of the new year.. The full Lunar New Year 2024 programme will be announced in January.

What's been said about the festival?

James Wong, Chair of the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee said: "It was wonderful to be back in Southside last year shining a light on the fantastic talent in our region and recognising all communities celebrating Lunar New Year and we are delighted to be back this year.

"We will share our full programme for the celebrations soon but visitors can expect all the favourites from the traditional waking of the Lion ‘Dim Jing’ to Dragon dances representing power, strength and good luck. I’m sure audience favourite Pom Pom – our giant ten-foot Panda – will also make a return for all those selfie moments throughout the Festival."

Chris Sudworth, Creative Director at Birmingham Hippodrome, added: "The 2023 Lunar New Year celebrations were our biggest yet and it was wonderful to be back home in Southside. 

"2024 will see the festival develop again, as our long-time partners Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee are joined by Birmingham Chinatown Business Association, working with us to curate a programme that celebrates the communities of Chinatown and Southside alongside professional performers.

"We're delighted we can throw open our doors for family activities in the Hippodrome foyers and performances in the Patrick Studio; and the excitement continues with a funfair in Inge Street and Hurst Street and the firework finale over The Arcadian. Make sure you have the date in your diary - 11 February 2024 – and join us in welcoming in the Year of the Dragon."