Sheffield is set to host Yorkshire’s biggest Lunar New Year celebration as 2026 rings in the Year of the Horse. The city comes alive with lion dances, interactive workshops, and a packed programme celebrating Chinese culture and Sheffield’s thriving East Asian community. Here’s a roundup of what’s happening.
Lunar New Year Festival
The Peace Gardens are once again the beating heart of the city’s celebrations for 2026 – two days of lion dances, music and performances right in the middle of town for FREE! The world champion Lion Dance acrobats are back, pulling off gravity-defying stunts, alongside homegrown favourites like Wanlin Dance Group taking to the stage.
There will also be plenty of food stalls, hands-on cultural activities and workshops for families, so everyone can get involved with the festivities.
Date: Sat 21st February - Sunday 22nd February
Location: Peace Gardens
Full programme and timings here: https://sheffieldlunarchinesenewyear.com/city-centre-festival-programme
Lunar New Year Spectacular Show at the Octagon Centre
Get set for Sheffield’s 2026 Lunar Chinese New Year Spectacular at The Octagon. Highlights include Umbrella Stomping, Magical Costume Changes, Air Walking, Drum Stomping, Ball Juggling, and Diabolo, while Wanlin Dance Academy bring the martial arts-inspired dance drama Wing Chun to the stage.
It’s an evening of tradition and pure spectacle for all ages – grab your tickets now, with all proceeds supporting Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity.
Date & Time: Wednesday 18th February
Location: Octagon Centre, University of Sheffield
More Info + Tickets:
https://www.gigantic.com/sheffield-lunar-chinese-new-year-spectacular-tickets/sheffield-octagon-centre/2026-02-17-18-00
New Era Square
New Era Square – Sheffield’s own Chinatown – is bringing the roar with a World Champion Lion Dance performance, packing the square with high-energy acrobatics and traditional flair straight from China. Lantern lighting will add an extra splash of colour, while the area’s restaurants, cafes, and bars serve up plenty of food and drink to keep you fueled.
Date: Friday 20th February @ 2pm
Location: New Era Square
More info: www.instagram.com/p/DUlX4j8DGiT
Meadowhall Lunar Chinese New Year Extravaganza
Meadowhall are bringing the Year of the Horse to Sheffield in full colour and style. A World Champion Lion Dance performance, festive displays, and cultural showcases turn one of the city’s busiest spots into a proper celebration of energy, tradition, and community.
Kids (and adults!) can get hands-on in the gallery from 15th–20th February with free workshops. Try Chinese calligraphy, craft bright lanterns that symbolise luck and new beginnings for the Year of the Horse, or get creative with mask painting inspired by traditional Chinese designs.
Date: February 15th-20th
Location: Meadowhall Shopping Centre
More Info and timings:
www.meadowhall.co.uk/event/celebrate-the-lunar-chinese-new-year
Sheffield Lion Dance Street Parade
Packed with local Sheffield talent, this team has been keeping the tradition alive for over 30 years, never missing a single celebration. They’ll be parading across the city, performing outside (and inside!) key venues, spreading good luck and fortune wherever they go. Don’t miss the spectacle – it’s pure, unmissable Sheffield spirit in motion.
Date & Time: Saturday 21st Feb @ 12pm
Location: Starts outside Ages Ago BBQ (West One)
More Info + Route Map:
https://fb.me/e/75WLNLRWA
Light Switch-On Celebration
The Sheffield Children’s Hospital Light Up is one of the standout moments of Sheffield’s 2026 Lunar Chinese New Year celebrations. The hospital will be bathed in colour, featuring a striking dragon projection on its wall, while a lively Lion Dance performance brings luck, energy, and excitement to the day.
This special celebration is all about spreading joy to young patients, their families, and the hospital staff who care for them. It’s a moment of community, resilience, and togetherness—proof that the Year of the Horse can light up hearts and put smiles on faces, even in challenging times.
Date and time: Monday 16th February @ 5pm
Location: Sheffield Children's Hospital
More Info: https://sheffieldchildrens.org/get-involved/lunar-new-year/
Weston Park Museum
Weston Park Museum is set to host a lively Lunar New Year celebration, featuring family-friendly craft-making and a spectacular Lion Dance parade. Visitors can enjoy art activities in the museum’s Activity Room before a very special performance from the Sheffield Lion Dance Team.
The event will also mark the launch of the Changing Seasons exhibition. Created by members of Sheffield’s Chinese and British-Chinese community across generations, the display draws on memories, treasured objects, and family stories to celebrate the resilience, culture, and everyday lives of the people who have made Sheffield their home..
Date & Time: Friday 20th February @ 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Weston Park Museum, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TP
More Info: www.sheffieldmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/family-activity-lunar-new-year-celebration
Changing Seasons: www.sheffieldmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/changing-seasons
Cutlery Works
Cutlery Works Food Hall will host a packed programme of Lunar New Year activities for all ages. Visitors can try their hand at Chinese calligraphy workshops for both children and adults, join Chinese language classes, and get creative with a Willow & Wish Tree workshop, cake decorating, and paper lantern crafts. There will also be a lively Lion Dance performance, bringing colour, energy, and tradition to the heart of the food hall.
Date: Various
Location: Cutlery Works, 73 – 101 Neepsend Lane, Sheffield S3 8AT
More Info: www.cutleryworks.co.uk/events
Cambridge Street Collective
Cambridge St Collective Food Hall will be a hub of Lunar New Year festivities, offering a mix of hands-on activities and cultural experiences. Visitors can take part in lantern-making and Chinese calligraphy workshops, join language classes, and get creative with a Red Willow Branch & Wish Tree workshop. A Mahjong tournament adds a competitive twist, while a vibrant Lion Dance performance brings colour and energy to the celebration.
Date: Various
Location: Cambridge Street Collective, Cambridge Street, Sheffield
More Info: www.cambridgestreetcollective.com/events
Orchard Square
Orchard Square will be hosting a vibrant Lunar New Year celebration packed with family-friendly activities, culture, and live entertainment. Visitors can get hands-on with traditional crafts thanks to the University of Sheffield Confucius Institute. Free, drop-in activities include mask painting, lantern decorating, and Chinese calligraphy—no booking required.
On Saturday, the festivities will be punctuated by a spectacular Lion Dance performance from Sheffield Lion Dance, part of the city-wide parade, bringing energy, colour, and tradition to the heart of the square.
Date: February 21st-22nd
Location: Orchard Square
More Info: www.facebook.com/orchardsquare/photos/-celebrate-chinese-lunar-new-year-at-orchard-square-join-us-this-weekend-at-orch/1529535835838256/
Millenium Gallery
Re-Water CIC is inviting Sheffield to celebrate the Year of the Horse with a lively Lunar New Year event. The pop-up market will showcase Hong Kong culture with a range of delicious Hong Kong-style snacks, handcrafted goods, booth games, and unique products that capture the city’s spirit.
Visitors can also enjoy traditional performances, including a captivating Guzheng music show, while friends, families, and neighbours soak up the festive atmosphere and join in the celebrations.
Date: Sat 28th February @ 10:30am-4:30pm
Location: Millennium Gallery, 48 Arundel Gate, Sheffield S1 2PP
More Info: www.sheffieldmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/lunar-new-year-celebration-2026
Genting Casino
Genting Casino Sheffield is celebrating the Year of the Fire Horse with a free buffet, a lively Lion Dance and hourly prize draws with a range of great prizes up for grabs.
Visitors can enter the prize draws by collecting a free ticket from reception during 19th January–23rd February, filling in their contact details, and placing it in the draw box. One ticket is allowed per person per gaming day.
Date: Monday 23rd Feb
Location: Genting Casino, Sheffield
More info: www.gentingcasinos.co.uk/whats-on/chinese-new-year-at-genting-casino-sheffield
Sheffield Lion Dance Team
For more Lunar New Year excitement, follow Sheffield’s Lion Dance Team for additional performances across the city.
More Info: www.instagram.com/p/DUN8U4WDPBw
Red Packet Treasure Hunt
We will also be hiding traditional red envelopes across the city with prizes inside from local independent East Asian businesses such as Yee Kwan Ice Cream, Guyshi, China Red, ALS Gong Cha, Oisoi, KH Oriental, Wokie Box etc. Maybe you’ll even find some cash if you're lucky!
Date & Time: Sat 21st Feb - Sun 22nd Feb
Location: Not telling you ;)
Keep an eye on our Instagram stories for clues: www.instagram.com/independentsheff
No matter how you choose to celebrate, Sheffield’s Lunar New Year events offer something special for everyone. Mark your calendars and get ready to welcome the Year of the Horse in style!