The Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, will host the North East England Five Universities Chinese New Year Gala on 5 February 2026. The large-scale event will take place in the venue’s premier hall, Sage One, and aims to bring the local community together to mark the transition into the Year of the Fire Horse.
The variety show is organised primarily by the Newcastle University Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA), together with the Newcastle University Confucius Institute, in collaboration with the four other North East universities (Northumbria, Durham, Sunderland and Teesside). The gala will feature traditional dragon dances and acrobatics alongside contemporary music and cultural performances to showcase Chinese heritage to local residents and international students.
While the official Lunar New Year begins on 17 February 2026, this gala on 5 February serves as an early, high-profile Spring Festival celebration for the region. According to the Smithsonian, 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse — a zodiac year that occurs once every 60 years.
The show is staged at The Glasshouse, the landmark building designed by Foster + Partners (formerly known as Sage Gateshead). Organisers expect the evening to draw thousands of people to the Gateshead Quayside; historically, the gala has generated increased footfall for nearby businesses and hotels in the area.
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