Updated on 9th January 2025

How to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Leeds

Head to the Merrion Centre to welcome the Year of the Snake.

Written on Lifestyle Updated on 9th January 2025

Visit the Merrion Centre on Saturday 25th January and Saturday 1st February 2025 to celebrate the Year of the Snake. This event is sponsored by the Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds.

Transformation, renewal and spiritual growth – it’s time for the Year of the Snake.

After a roaring success last year, the Merrion Centre is getting ready for its biggest Chinese New Year celebration yet. From dancing and live music to crafts and fashion, an explosion of excitement awaits.

Not only that but the centre is home to a wealth of authentic Asian restaurants and retail outlets, so you can welcome the Year of the Snake in true celebratory style. Catch the festivities on Saturday 25th January and Saturday 1st February 2025.

Enjoy captivating live performances

Someone playing a Chinese instrument in front of a crowd

Credit: Richard Walker/ImageNorth

The Merrion Centre will come alive with music, dance and a variety of live performances. Head down on at 1pm on Saturday 25th January 2025 to witness the ever-popular Lion Dance Parade!

Visit at 11am on Saturday 1st February 2025 to catch the Qi Lin Dance to welcome the New Year. This traditional Chinese folk dance features the qilin, a mythical creature that symbolises good fortune, prosperity and protection. The dance is known for its use of traditional Hakka instruments, martial arts steps and the qilin’s distinctive head movements.

You can also expect choir recitals, an enchanting solo Zither performance, Chinese dance performances and more, bringing colour and vibrancy to the centre across both days.

Take part in craft workshops

Someone writing in calligraphy style

Credit: Richard Walker/ImageNorth

Taking place in the garden area in the main mall of the Merrion, a series of hands-on workshops will bring Chinese heritage to life. On Saturday 25th January 2025, Leeds Chinese Community School will be running calligraphy, Chinese painting and lantern painting workshops.

New Vision Education will be hosting a series of workshops on Saturday 1st February 2025. You can try your hand at painting your own lucky cherry blossom or Chinese characters, or craft your own lucky tangerine, symbolising great fortune and prosperity.

There’ll also be a Chinese calligraphy demonstration, where you can get your name written in Chinese characters with a beautiful calligraphy style. A series of trade stands mean there’s plenty of ways to continue the fun when you get home.

Experience traditional Chinese culture

A Chinese dragon dance

Credit: Richard Walker/ImageNorth

Additionally, visitors to the centre will be treated to an array of cultural treats. Visit on Saturday 25th January 2025 and you might even meet the Fortune God, Caishen. Also known as Cai Boxing Jun or Ts’ai Shen, they’ll be handing out fortune cookies to fill your new year with wealth and prosperity.

Later that day, an epic closing ceremony will bring the festivities to a close in awe-inspiring style. Don’t miss the spectacular dragon dance, a colourful performance designed to chase away evil spirits and welcome in prosperous times.

On Saturday 1st February 2025 there will be a Chinese Hanfu/Qipao Showcase – a performance celebrating the elegance, history and cultural significance of traditional Chinese dress.

Share a delicious authentic meal

A portion of colourful dim sum at Blue Pavilion, Leeds

© Copyright Leeds-List 2025

If you’ve worked up an appetite, there’s plenty to enjoy at the Merrion Centre. You can ring in the new year in style at the stunning Blue Pavilion or get a mighty feed with all-you-can-eat sushi at Blue Sakura.

Or how about building your own hot pot at Wei’s Malatang? Choose your own ingredients and they’ll be topped with your choice of broth – we love the hot and spicy! Finish with chilli oil and spring onions for the perfect winter warmer.

Elsewhere, you can tuck into authentic roast meats at Eatime, devour steamed dumplings at Mr Yang or sip on bubble tea at Gong Cha. And don’t leave without a trip to Sing Kee oriental supermarket – a must for stocking your shelves with authentic delicacies from China and beyond.

The Merrion Centre’s Chinese New Year celebrations take place from 11am to 4pm on Saturday 25th January and Saturday 1st February 2025. Check their website for full timings and details.

Please note: Performances and timings may be subject to change.