Chester’s Lunar New Year celebrations 2026

Chester will celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Horse on Saturday, February 21st with performances of traditional music, lions and dragon dancing, non-combustible firecrackers and cultural characters.

The God of Prosperity, The Emperor of Heaven and The Happy Buddha will be in Chester city centre on the Saturday morning in an event delivered by the Wah Lei Chinese Association supported by Bank of America, Cheshire West and Chester Council and 6 other local organisations.

The event begins at 11am on Eastgate Street, continuing along Northgate Street to Chester Town Hall. Maria Yuen from Ji Siu Tai Chi Chuan Group of Handbridge will start the celebrations. The Lions will be woken by representatives of Bank of America and Cheshire West and Cheshire Council. The Hung Gar Kung Fu Academy led by Steve Ornelas will showcase the colourful Lions and Dragon dance and this will be followed by additional performances inside The Town Hall Assembly Room at 12 noon.

Calligraphy sessions and interactive activities will be hosted by tutors from Wah Lei Saturday Mandarin school from the University of Chester and volunteers from 12.30pm to 2.30pm inside The Town Hall with special guest, Tai Chi Panda.

A celebration banquet with the Lions will take place at Panda Mami Restaurant, Newgate Street from 1.15pm. Advanced booking now is recommended.