Yorkshire’s Biggest Lunar New Year Celebration Peaks in Sheffield This Weekend

Get ready, because Sheffield is about to throw the biggest party of the year! The Sheffield Lunar Chinese New Year Festival is back for 2026, and it’s officially the largest Lunar New Year celebration in all of Yorkshire. This isn't just a small event; it's a massive city-wide celebration that kicks off a whole new year with a bang. For one amazing weekend, the city centre will be buzzing with energy, incredible performances, and food that’ll make your mouth water. This festival is a huge cultural moment for the city, bringing everyone together for a fantastic time.

The big weekend celebration

Mark your calendars for Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd February, because that's when the main event takes over the city. The best part? It's completely free to join in the fun. The celebration will be spread across the Peace Gardens, Fargate, and right by Sheffield Town Hall. Imagine a whole weekend packed with sights and sounds from around the world. There will be food and drink stalls everywhere, offering amazing flavours from different countries, so it’s a perfect chance to try something new. The absolute must-see performance of the festival is the world-class Acrobatic Lion Dance. This isn't just any dance; it’s a jaw-dropping show of skill and tradition that you won’t want to miss. This entire event is a huge international cultural celebration.

What's on: Saturday 21 February

The weekend kicks off with a packed schedule on Saturday. The day starts at midday and is full of non-stop entertainment. People like Alex and his family have been waiting for this schedule, and it's finally here! The main stage in the Peace Gardens will be the centre of the action for most of the afternoon, with a fantastic line-up of hosts keeping the energy high.

Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect:

• 12:00 (Sheffield Town Hall): The festival officially gets underway with an opening speech.

• 12:15 (Fargate): The first chance to see the World Champion Acrobatic Lion Dance performance. These performers are the best in the world for a reason, and their acrobatic skills are something else.

• From 13:00 (Peace Gardens Main Stage): The afternoon is a whirlwind of cultural performance. You'll see beautiful routines from the Wanlin Academy of Dance, an International Culture Costume Show, and mind-blowing tricks from The Guizhou Acrobatics Team. They'll be doing everything from shoulder ballet to sandbag and stick juggling, and even aerial work. It’s a real display of global talent. There will also be musical performances, displays of Wushu and Kungfu, and even some numbers from the musical Chicago by the Rotherham Theatrical Student Academy.

• 15:15 (Fargate): If you missed it the first time, you have another chance to catch the incredible Acrobatic Lion Dance performance.

• From 15:45 (Peace Gardens Main Stage): The day wraps up with even more entertainment, including the Romano Jilo Dance Group, more martial arts, and a final musical and acrobatic performance to end the day on a high note.

Sunday's grand finale on 22 February

The celebration continues on Sunday with another full day of festivities. The vibe is just as electric, with some special ceremonies to make the day unique. The main stage in the Peace Gardens will once again host a fantastic variety of acts, bringing together different cultures for one huge party. A spectacular Chinese cultural experience awaits everyone.

Here’s what’s happening on Sunday:

• 12:00 (Sheffield Town Hall): The day begins with a special opening by The Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Cllr Safiya Saeed. This is followed by a traditional ribbon-cutting and a Lion Eye Dotting ceremony, a really interesting ritual said to awaken the lion and bring good luck for the new year.

• 12:15 (Fargate): The World Champion Acrobatic Lion Dance team returns for their final performance of the weekend. It’s the last chance to see this amazing show.

• From 13:00 (Peace Gardens Main Stage): The stage comes alive with another brilliant line-up. There will be more stunning routines from the Wanlin Academy of Dance and the incredible Guizhou Acrobatics Team with their amazing juggling acts. Plus, choirs from Sheffield Music Services will be performing, bringing lots of local children to the stage. Expect to hear African live music, performances from the Sheffield Kerala Association, and many more cultural groups sharing their traditions through music and dance.

• 16:00 (Closing Ceremony): The festival weekend comes to a close with a final dance performance, a closing speech from festival founder Jerry Cheung, and a grand finale song, 'Gongxi Gongxi', to wish everyone a happy new year.

More than just one weekend

While the main event is on the 21st and 22nd of February, the Lunar New Year celebration in Sheffield is a much bigger deal. The festival actually runs from 16th to 25th February, with events happening all over the city. It all kicked off on Monday, 16th February, with a beautiful light switch-on at the Sheffield Children’s Hospital. This part of the festival is extra special because it helps raise money for The Children’s Hospital Charity, with over £50,000 already raised this year through light installations. Other events include a Gala Spectacular at the Octagon Centre on Wednesday, 18th February, daily free workshops at Meadowhall from 15th to 20th February, and a special evening lion dance performance there on Friday, 20th February. Even local schools got involved with free China Day workshops throughout January.

A festival for the whole city

This festival has quickly become a massive part of Sheffield's cultural calendar. What started as smaller community events has grown into a huge outdoor celebration that brings thousands of people into the city centre. Last year’s festival was a huge success, bringing in an extra £253,000 for city centre businesses. It’s more than just a party; it’s an event that unites communities and showcases the city's amazing diversity. The 2026 festival celebrates the Year of the Horse, a symbol of energy and strength, which is the perfect way to describe this fantastic celebration. Festival founder Jerry Cheung said: “This weekend is the heartbeat of the festival. It is about bringing the whole city together and sharing culture in the open air. To see it grow into the largest Lunar New Year celebration in Yorkshire is something Sheffield can be proud of.”

The Chery challenge

This year's festival is presented in partnership with the global car brand Chery. They will have a stand at the weekend event where everyone can take part in 'The Chery Challenge' to win some cool prizes. Chery is an international company known for building innovative and practical cars. Its partnership with a big cultural event like the Sheffield Lunar New Year festival shows its commitment to supporting communities and global celebration. So, while enjoying a dance or a juggling performance, make sure to check out what they have going on. It’s just another fun part of this amazing weekend festival.