Chinese New Year is nearly here and thousands of people across Wales are gearing up to celebrate. This year, Chinese New Year falls on Sunday, January 22 and it's the Year of the Rabbit, so many events and costumes will be centred around the cute animal. To find out what animal represents your year of birth, have a read of a previous article here.
Pre-Covid, scores of people would attend grand parties hosted by various community groups and Chinese organisations in Wales, whilst hundreds of others would visit their favourite Chinese restaurant to join in local festivities. Whilst celebrations have been held on a much smaller scale over the last couple of years, due to pandemic restrictions, the occasion is expected to be back in full-swing this year with events throughout the week.
From relaxed film screenings to family-friendly activities, cultural talks and big celebrations, here's our round-up of the biggest Chinese New Year celebrations set to be held in Wales this year. If you own or manage a business, venue or organisation hosting an event for Chinese New Year and you'd like to be included in this list, email us: molly.dowrick@walesonline.co.uk and to get the latest What's On newsletters from WalesOnline, click here
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Family-friendly activities at Cardiff Central Library Hub
The Cardiff Central Library Hub is hosting a 'Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival Celebration' this Saturday, January 21 from 12pm to 3pm to mark Chinese New Year. The event will feature a wide range of activities and performances which have been designed to suit people of all ages. Among the offerings, people can expect sessions of calligraphy, tea tasting, tai chi, lantern and mask making and paper cutting - as well as the opportunity to try on traditional Chinese dress. The library will also play host to a "lion dance" and traditional performances of Chinese music and dance.
Where and when is it being held?
The event is being held at the Cardiff Central Library Hub, CF10 1FL, on Saturday, January 21 2023 from 12pm to 3pm.
How much is it?
The event is FREE.
Dinner and a lion dance, Gigi Gao's Favourite Authentic Chinese, Swansea
Popular independent Chinese restaurant Gigi Gao's is hosting a special event on Chinese New Year Day. The restaurant, which was praised by The Guardian's Jay Rayner last year, is hosting a dinner and lion dance on Sunday, January 22.
Guests will be able to watch the lion dance from their tables while enjoying a delicious set menu including a mixed starter of dumplings, ribs, prawns, spring rolls/potatoes and a main course of mixed seafood, sauced chicken, mixed vegetables, tofu and rice.
You can see a previous Lion Dance at the restaurant in the social media post below:
Where and when is the event being held?
The lion dance will be performed at 1pm and 6pm on Sunday, January 22 and food will be served throughout the day.
How much is it?
The special set menu is £38.88 per person, with a minimum of two people per booking. You can reserve your table online here.
Six days of Chinese Spring Festival Activities
The Chinese in Wales Association has arranged six days of activities this year to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit - but many families will celebrate Lunar New Year for up to 15 days. You can find out more about the Chinese in Wales Association on their website here.
"Over this festive period, people rejoice with their family and friends and show kindness and warm wishes to strangers. It is that atmosphere which makes Chinese New Year so special," a spokesperson from the Association said. "CIWA and our partners have put together a list of activities over this auspicious festive period, please come and join us!
"Free fun activities and performances for all ages including performances, Chinese movie, lantern-making workshop (take home your own beautiful lanterns!(, paper cutting (learn to cut a cute rabbit for the year of the Rabbit) and Tai Chi demonstration."
A full timetable of events can be seen online here.
Where and when are the activities being held?
Full information of the activities on offer can be seen online here.
How much are the activities?
Many of the activities are FREE, whilst it's just £15 per adult for a special 'Chinese New Year Lunch' at Swansea Grand Theatre on February 3.
Cultural talk at Cardiff University
Cardiff University's Modern Languages and Translation department is hosting a cultural talk in collaboration with Cardiff Confucius Institute. The event, named "Chinese Corner: Chinese New Year" is the first of the Institute's Chinese Corner events for this year and will explore the traditions of Chinese New Year and Spring Festival, its origins, traditions and culture.
Where and when is the event being held?
The talk is being held at the Cardiff University School of Modern Languages and Translation, 66A Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AS on Wednesday, January 25 from 6.30pm to 8pm.
How much is it?
The event is FREE. You can reserve your place online here.
Chinese New Year Gala, live music and activities at Pontio, Bangor
Pontio, an arts and innovation centre based at Bangor University, is hosting a range of activities on Saturday, January 21. Throughout the day there will be Chinese calligraphy workshops, Chinese live music performances, tai chi and wu qin xi workshops and Chinese knots and bracelets workshops. Pontio is also set to host a film screening of The Italian Recipe as well as a special 'Chinese Gala'.
The Gala, which will run from 12.30pm to 1.40pm, has been described as a "spectacular audio-visual feast of Chinese traditional music and dance" and will feature performances from a group of artists from Goldsmith University designed to "take the audiences to the heart of China". The event is free, but booking in advanced is recommended - you can do this on the Pontio website.
Where and when is the event being held?
The activities and Chinese New Year Gala are being held at Pontio at Bangor University, Deiniol Road, Bangor, LL57 2TQ on Saturday, January 21.
How much is it?
The events are all FREE.
Chinese New Year Celebration at the Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff
The Red Dragon Centre in Cardiff Bay is hosting an afternoon of free, traditional Chinese New Year activities on Sunday, January 22 to mark the Year of the Rabbit.
Organisers said: "Between 12pm to 4pm, there will be a variety of free activities to join in, from lantern making and paper cutting to calligraphy and even a chopsticks technique competition. Visitors will also have the chance to meet a traditional Chinese Lion who will celebrate with passers-by at the centre at 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm.
"To celebrate the festivities, the Centre's Japanese restaurant Volcano is also offering a kids eat* free offer on the day (*One child per one full-paying adult dining. T&Cs apply)."
Where and when is the event being held?
These activities are being held at the Red Dragon Centre, near the Wales Millennium Centre, at Hemingway Road, Cardiff CF10 4JY
How much is it?
The activities are all FREE.
Film screenings and activities at National Waterfront Museum, Swansea
The National Waterfront Museum has teamed up with the Chinese In Wales Association to host two film screenings to mark Chinese New Year. The screenings are both free and there's no need to book - but guests are reminded to be aware of the films' age ratings.
The films set to be shown are: The Eagle Shooting Heroes (certificate 12, 1993) at 2.30pm on Saturday, January 28 and Turning Red (certificate PG, 2022) at 2.30pm on Sunday, January 29.
The National Waterfront Museum is also hosting a 'red envelope lantern making' and a rabbit paper-cutting decoration craft activity, aimed at families with children, as well as tai chi sessions.
Where and when are the activities being held?
The screening of The Eagle Shooting Heroes is taking place on Saturday, January 28 at 2.30pm, whilst Turning Red will be shown at 2.30pm on Sunday, January 29. The red envelope lantern craft activity will be held from 12.30pm to 2pm on Saturday, January 28 and the paper cutting decoration craft activity will be held at 12.15pm on Sunday, January 29.
Tai Chi will run from 12.30pm to 1.30pm on Sunday, February 5.
How much are the activities?
The activities are all FREE.
Cardiff University student new year celebration
Cardiff University's Residence Life department is hosting a Lunar New Year celebration for its students with snacks, drinks and calligraphy. The event will be held at Aberdare Hall but is open to all students. The description for the event reads: "Join us in celebrating the Lunar New Year, all sites are welcome! We will be serving an array of delicious snacks and drinks and there will even be a calligraphy station for you to get involved with.
"Please be aware that this event is only open to Cardiff University students and your ticket order will be cancelled if you are not registered as a student. If you are experiencing Covid-19 or flu-like symptoms please do not attend the event."
Where and when is the event being held?
This Chinese New Year event is being held on Sunday, January 22 from 2pm to 5pm at Aberdare Hall, Cardiff, CF10 3UP. Please note, it is only available to Cardiff University students.
How much is it?
This event is FREE. You can book your ticket online here.
K-Pop Party for Lunar New Year, Cardiff
Revolution bar-club in Cardiff is hosting a K-Pop Party to mark Lunar New Year. The event will be held on Friday, January 27 from 10.30pm to 3am on Saturday, January 28 (last entry at 1am) and will feature DJ Emkay from Seoul, South Korea, among an epic playlist of hits. Organisers say: "We welcome 2023 celebrating and inviting you all back for another edition of K-Pop Party UK. This time we bring the LUNAR NEW YEAR KPOP PARTY with DJ EMKAY!! We coming to Cardiff at Revolution!
"What's the best way to do so than dancing the night away with the very best and latest KPOP music! Be ready for a crazy night of dancing and clubbing to the best KPOP with the greatest tunes from all your favourite artists & more!"
There are still several tickets available for this event, priced from £8.50, and guests are reminded the event is an 18+ event and ID will be required.
Where and when is the event being held?
The K-Pop Lunar New Year Party is being held at Revolution, 9-11 Castle Street, Cardiff CF10 1BS on Friday, January 27 2023 from 10.30pm. The event will run until 3am, with last entry at 1am.
How much is it?
First-release tickets have sold-out. Available tickets start at £8.50 plus booking fee and can be bought online here.
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