The Carnival is back for 2019!

We’re proud to announce the return of the Lancaster Chinese New Year Carnival for 2019.

Sunday, 3rd February 2019.

Join us for another incredible day with streets markets bringing to life Lancaster streets with incredible tasty food from around the world with Chinese, Thai, Spanish, British cuisine and more represented with everything from the vegan to the sweet toothed catered for.

The funfair will be in Market Square for kids of all ages to enjoy alongside entertainment throughout the day with music, dance and martial arts taking to the stage from 11am – 4pm.

The Parade will start from 2pm following a path through the high street and circling the city centre around all the main thoroughfares for everyone to take in the lively and colorful performances.

Put it in your diary and don’t miss out of the free open festival for everyone to enjoy!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for the latest updates as we announce highlights for the event.

From Beijing to Lancaster, Via Manchester…

As the 12th annual celebration of Chinese arts and culture in Lancaster commences, we are pleased to announce that this year’s festival has been sponsored by Manchester Airport and Hainan Airlines.

Fly direct to Beijing in approximately 10 hours and discover more of what China has to offer with Hainan Airlines – awarded a 5 Star Airline by SKYTRAX for six consecutive years and rated ‘Best Chinese Airline’.

A city steeped in history yet constantly reinventing itself Beijing offers unforgettable experiences. Discover the incredible sights found in the metropolis from the Forbidden City a vast complex of beautiful imperial buildings and residences dating back to the 15th century Ming Dynasty, or immerse yourself in the luxurious destination of Sanlitun famed for its vibrant nightlife, shopping and dining scene.

Find out who will be performing on the ‘Manchester Airport and Hainan Airlines’ Stage at Lancaster Chinese New Year Carnival on Sunday, 5th February 2017!

Call Out To New Writers

We want to hear your stories.

Red Dragonfly Productions in association with Grist To The Mill are running a New Writing Festival and are looking for new and emerging writers from British East Asian, South Asian and South East Asian communities who are interested in contributing and sharing their contemporary and traditional stories.

We are not only looking for established writers but potential writers of any ability or experience, we and our in house dramaturge, Ross Ericson, will support you throughout your script development. After we have reviewed submissions we will be inviting up to ten successful applicants to a free one day workshop – travel will be provided* – and from that workshop three applicants will be selected to have their plays produced and performed in our festival. (*depending on applicants’ bases.)

There will be a £1000 fee paid to each writer whose play is performed at the festival. If you want to be considered then in the first instance please submit to us your story/idea. We will only accept submissions by email to the following address submissions@gristtheatre.co.uk and submissions need to be received by no later than 1 October 2016.

Successful participants will be invited to the workshop by the 16th October 2016 that will take place by the end of that month, at a place and time yet to be confirmed. The performances are scheduled to take place in February of 2017. Red Dragonfly New Writing Festival is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

Submission criteria

  • Applicants need to be over eighteen years old
  • A full description of your idea/story – no longer than one A4 page and make sure the story has a beginning, a middle and an end
  • Your details: Name, ethnicity, location, contact email & phone and any access requirements etc.
  • Submit to: submissions@gristtheatre.co.uk
  • Deadline: 1 October 2016

Your Story criteria

  • Subject: Anything from contemporary to traditional folk and fairy tales.
  • Audience: Family friendly – suitable for the whole family not just small children
  • Cast: can be performed by up to 4 actors, doubling up of characters are allowed
  • Staging: workable with a minimal set and props

The Lancaster Chinese Arts Festival

The Lancaster Chinese Arts Festival are supporting the New Writing Festival in partnership with the Dukes Theatre.

Lancaster Business Improvement District Joins Us for Chinese New Year 2016

We’re incredibly grateful for the support and sponsorship by Lancaster Unlimited – Lancaster’s Business Improvement District.

Lancaster BID help promote the city centre working with local businesses and people in the area to showcase the city’s unique blend of vibrant cultural heritage, shopping and leisure!

To find out more about their work visit their website – www.lancasterbid.org.

Extended Programme Thanks to Arts Council England

Lancaster Chinese New Year Festival have expanded its programme thanks to Arts Council England.

2016 will see new events celebrating different forms of art and performance as part of it’s newly expanded festival programme…

Arts Workshops with Artist Pui Lee

Artist Pui Lee will be setting up studio at Lancaster City Museum as artists in residence in the run-up to Lancaster Chinese New Year over 4 days. She will be exploring the Chinese folktale of ‘Flower Dragon’ through papercraft and willow lantern making.

You will also get the opportunity to take part and learn new skills by creating your own piece and join the carnival on Sunday.

Click here to find out more…

Diao Chan: The Rise of the Courtesan

Produced by Red Dragonfly featuring a cast of BEA actors, this adaptation of classical Chinese literature for the stage by Ross Ericson is an epic story of lust, jealousy and revenge.

Click here to find out more…

Lycamobile Presents Lancaster Chinese New Year Festival 2016

We are proud to announce the headline commercial sponsors for 2016 are Lycamobile!

Lycamobile helps connect the world with cheap international calls from your UK mobile to Asia, Africa, Europe and America. They also offer great rates on calls, messaging and internet in the UK too.

Want to get your sim or find out more? Simply click here to visit the Lycamobile website.

One Week to Go till Chinese New Year!

Not long left till the start of 2015’s Chinese New Year Festival – here’s a look at what to expect with our Festival Programme booklet!

Lebara Mobile presents Lancaster & Morecambe Chinese New Year Festival 2015

We are proud to announce that Lebara Mobile is 2015’s headline sponsors.

(more…)

Thank you everyone for 2014, bring on 2015!

Another momentous year to mark Chinese New Year in Lancaster and Morecambe.

(more…)

Looking forward to 2014? We can’t wait!

The Hua Xian Chinese Society readies for the next annual explosion of colour, arts and culture for Chinese New Year.

(more…)

Lancaster and Morecambe Chinese New Year in 2013

Find out more about what happened for Chinese New Year across Lancaster District in 2013!

(more…)

Lancaster Chinese New Year Celebrations in 2012

The Hua Xian Chinese Society celebrates Chinese New Year in 2012 in style at Lancaster’s Town Hall.

(more…)