York is gearing up for vibrant Chinese New Year festivities starting this Sunday, celebrating the Year of the Snake with music and parades
York: The York Chinese Society is all set for this year’s Chinese New Year celebrations, kicking off this Sunday. It’s going to be a fun time!
Chinese New Year happens on the second new moon after the winter solstice. This year, the main event is on January 29, and the celebrations will last for 15 days until the Lantern Festival.
In Chinese culture, there’s a cool story about the Zodiac. It’s all about a race between animals, and this year is the Year of the Snake. Pretty neat, right?
The first celebration in York will feature the East Asian Youth Ensemble, bringing some lively music to the city. They’ll be playing a mix of tunes, from the Chinese folk song “Jasmine Flower” to Debussy’s “La Cathédrale Engloutie.”
And guess what? Tickets are free! You can grab them on Eventbrite if you want to join in.
The main festivities will happen on Saturday, February 8, starting at 10 am in the Grand Hotel. There’ll be a concert and a traditional dance outside at 12:30 pm, followed by a parade at 1:30 pm.
The parade will be a sight to see, with lions, dragons, and performers parading through the streets of York. It’ll start at York Minster and wind its way through the city, engaging with local businesses along the way.
There’s even a gala planned for March 8 at the University of York, featuring music, dance, and performances from the community. Tickets for that will be available soon!
Will Zhuang, the Chair of the York Chinese Society, expressed excitement about the vibrant celebrations. He mentioned how great it is to see York come alive in winter with various festivals.
He also reminded everyone that the celebrations will last until the Lantern Festival, which is 15 days after New Year’s Day. Here’s to a healthy and prosperous new year!
