Sunderland residents can celebrate the Lunar New Year in Sunniside Gardens, Tyne and Wear, during a free community festival on Sunday 1 March 2026. The event, organised by Sunderland City Council and the Sunderland BID, will run from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm to mark the start of the Year of the Horse.
The celebration features a mix of traditional and modern entertainment, including dragon and lion dances and a Chinese fashion show. Visitors can watch a K-Pop tribute performance by a group called The Hunters, which is inspired by the Netflix film ‘K-Pop: Demon Hunters’, or listen to traditional Guzheng music throughout the afternoon.
Families can take part in hands-on activities such as origami and making Hóngbāo, which are traditional red envelopes given during the holiday. To ensure the festival accurately reflects the culture, local business leaders like Ian Wong from Asiana Fushion restaurant helped plan the displays alongside the University of Sunderland Chinese Society.
The festival is funded in part by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which provides money for local community projects. By holding the event in the Sunniside area, the organisers aim to bring more people into the city centre to support nearby independent shops and food stalls.
