Chinese New Year celebrations brought Lancaster to life with colour, rhythm and celebration.
A vibrant Chinese New Year Carnival on Sunday February 8 followed a Variety Show of Chinese culture and performers at the Lancaster Grand on January 31.
The events celebrated the Year of the Horse and Sunday's carnival included free activities centred around Market Square.
There was a lion and dragon parade, dances, music, Kung Fu, singing, magic and workshops.
Guests could try on traditional Chinese costumes, practice calligraphy, learn paper cutting, and more.
Our very own Beyond Bear also made an appearance!
"What a day! Did you all have a great time today?" said a post on the Lancaster Chinese New Year Facebook page following the carnival, which We were so lucky to have such beautiful weather, but it was your energy, your cheers, and your smiles that truly made Lancaster glow."
The fifth annual variety show featured Chinese dance, Shaolin Kung Fu, Kunqu Opera, The Chinese Youth Orchestra, music, dance and a magic show.
The theatre was packed to near-capacity with only a handful of seats remaining, as the audience was taken on a spellbinding journey through tradition and innovation, showcasing exceptional artistry from across generations and disciplines.
The programme brought together Shaolin kung fu masters, whose lightning-fast precision and disciplined power commanded the stage, alongside moments of exquisite stillness and refinement led by fifth-generation Kunqu opera successor Chloe Sun.
Her performance offered a rare and mesmerising glimpse into China’s oldest opera tradition, where poetic movement, silk-sleeved grace and crystalline vocals carried centuries of storytelling.
The evening swelled with sound as the Youth Chinese Orchestra filled the auditorium with a cinematic tapestry of music, from the haunting voices of the erhu and pipa to the warmth of bamboo flutes and the thunderous pulse of festival drums.
The event was produced and organised by Popber, who run and deliver the Lancaster Chinese New Year celebrations.
“Looking back at our humble beginnings five years ago, it has been an incredible journey of evolution," said a spokesperson for Popber.
"We started with a lot of passion but have learned so much along the way, listening closely to expert advice and audience feedback to continually refine our production values. The results speak for themselves, with our occupancy growing from around 60% in the early days to an incredible 95% this year. Watching the leap in quality, from performers to stage management, has been a real joy.
“The growth of this festival is a testament to the power of word of mouth. Families return year after year, bringing friends and neighbours with them to share the experience. People now travel from across Lancashire and beyond specifically to attend, and we’re immensely proud that the community has embraced this festival as their own. That sense of shared ownership is our greatest motivation to keep raising the bar.”
“Our vision has always been about accessibility and education. We want to bring a London-standard Chinese cultural showcase to Lancaster at a fraction of the cost, ensuring that high-quality art remains affordable for families and young people. It’s vital that children can experience and understand different cultures right here on their doorstep.
"We are also proud to provide a platform for ethnic minority performers to build their dreams and experiment creatively. From fusing traditional dance with live instrumentation to this year’s unique rearrangement of Cantonese pop performed by a traditional Chinese instrument orchestra, we aim to champion innovation you won’t see elsewhere in the UK. We hope to continue breaking boundaries and bringing these exclusive performances to Lancaster Grand Theatre for many years to come.”
Read more: LISTEN: Lancaster set to celebrate Chinese New Year - Beyond Radio
Lancaster Chinese New Year Carnival : Photos - Roy Ward
Lancaster Chinese New Year Variety Show : Photos - Lancaster Chinese New Year / Popber / Edward Au
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