Chinese New Year – also known as Lunar New Year, and celebrated widely throughout East Asia and the diaspora – begins on Wednesday, January 29 this year. The coming year is the Year of the Wood Snake in the Chinese zodiac.
To celebrate, Bristol is hosting an array of events and festivities with plenty of music, food and traditional activities, to mark the occasion, as well as some not so traditional events to get you talking. From activities and performances like the Lion Dance, to a club night, bath bomb workshop, massages, banquet, and even a hotly anticipated coffee tasting – Bristol has a plethora of events in the calendar.
Some even take place before, on, or even after, January 29 – so you could even celebrate the New Year at more than one of the events in the list below. Here’s a few we’ve found to pique your interest…
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery performances, activities and more
When: February 8-9, 10am-4pm
Where: Queens Road, Clifton, BS8 1RL
In what is described as an exciting weekend filled with a variety of activities for all ages, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery is planning a joyful celebration to usher in the Lunar New Year, which is also known as Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival. It will include:
- Vibrant performances – Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of China and South Asia through ‘captivating dance, music, martial arts and lion dances’.
- Family-friendly activities – Get creative with hands-on crafts, learn about Chinese and East Asian heritage, and take a selfie with some roving pandas.
- Snake trail adventure – You can also embark on a fun-filled snake trail around the museum, learning fascination facts at the Super Snake stall.
You can drop-in free, with no need to book. Donations are welcome, too.
Wai Yee Hong
When: February 1
Where: Eastgate Oriental City, Eastgate Road, Eastville, BS5 6XX
This annual celebration is the biggest in the South West, and even raises money for The Grand Appeal. Located at the Wai Yee Hong Chinese supermarket in Eastgate Oriental City, this family event is free to attend and will feature dance and martial arts performances, as well as the traditional lion dance.
To ensure that more people are able to enjoy the New Year celebrations this year, there will be two performances taking place at 11am and 1.30pm. Acts include UWE K-Pop Dance Troupe, Clevedon School Elite Dancers, Yi Quin lion dance troupe and Bath Taekwondo.
There will also be a street food market, serving up everything from Chinese pastries, hot drinks, sushi, curry, buddha bowls, Dim Sum, Thai noodles, rice bowls, banh mi, and even chicken and BBQ food for those who aren’t huge fans of Asian cuisine. What’s more, there will be quiet activities in store, for those who aren’t fans of loud noises and big crowds.
UWE Bristol
When: January 29
Where: Purdown View Cafe, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, BS16 1QY
Celebrate the vibrant traditions of Lunar New Year with ‘fun activities, delicious food, and exciting performances’ at this student-run event that is free to attend. Everyone is welcome, however booking is required to attend – book here now.
Molton Brown Cribbs Causeway’s massages and refreshments
When: January 29
Where: Unit 140, Cribbs Causeway, Patchway, BS34 5DG
According to this free event’s description: “Celebrate the Chinese New Year at Molton Brown Cribbs Causeway in Bristol! Join us for a festive event with full hand and arm massages in store and refreshments hosted by Whittard’s of Chelsea.
“In Chinese culture citrus fruits are seen as lucky on a lunar year, so why not immerse yourself in our Orange and Bergamot collection and Sunlit Clementine & Vetiver as we welcome the Year of the Snake with joy and excitement. Customers will receive a free goody bag when spending over £50 and 10 per cent off on the day.”
Reserve your spot here.
Year of the Snake Gala Banquet at Wong’s
When: February 26, 6-9pm
Where: 12 Denmark Street, BS1 5DQ
Held by the Bristol & West of England China Bureau, this exclusive event sees guests join Cllr Andrew Varney, Lord Mayor of Bristol, at Wong’s for a night of ‘celebration and delicious food’. A ‘magnificent’ feast with traditional Chinese dishes is guaranteed and a ‘legendary’ raffle will be available to all.
The event description reads: “Our gala banquet is the perfect way to celebrate the Lunar New Year with friends and colleagues. Don’t miss out on this special evening filled with good luck and fortune!
“On arrival guests will be able to mingle with a formal welcome from the Cllr. Andrew Varney, Lord Mayor of Bristol, at 6.30pm. The programme will then include a delicious banquet interspersed with entertainment and updates about our work with China.”
Member tickets costs £64.55 each, with a member table of 10 costing £573.94, and non-member tickets priced at £85.87 each. Book yours here.
Origin Coffee Lunar New Year Tasting Experience
When: January 21, 6-8pm
Where: 36 Victoria Street, Redcliffe, BS1 6BY
Guided by the Origin Coffee team, tasting experiences offer an opportunity to learn how to ‘taste’ coffee from the experts, using a method known as cupping. You’ll be taken on a journey through taste, sampling the entire Lunar New Year coffee collection, including the rare (and very limited) Taiwanese special edition, Qing Yé.
Described as an ‘engaging, relaxed evening that’s suitable for coffee professionals and curious learners alike’, a chance to explore your palate, learn a new skill and experience the team’s most anticipated coffee launch on the calendar. Tickets cost £15 each and can be booked here.
Lush Bristol Lunar New Year Make Session
When: January 25
Where: 14A Brigstowe Street, Broadmead, BS1 3BH
Celebrate the new year by making your very own bath bomb at the Lush Cabot store. For £6 you can make the limited edition Rebirth bath bomb or visit the Great Bunnies Cafe in-store, buy a treat from them and make it for free.
The Lush team will take you through each step of the bath bomb making process, making it perfect for beginners and bath bomb making experts. The event description adds: “This Lunar New Year celebrates the Year of the Wood snake; our team is equipped to recommend and create ‘bath cocktails’ surrounding this years zodiac and even your own zodiac.
“Ask us about your zodiac and we will personally design a slate to help you explore and celebrate your zodiac animal and element.” Tickets cost between £3-£6 and you can book your timeslot here.
Bristol Chinese New Year Party at 98 Club
When: January 25, 11pm
Where: Park Street, BS1 5JX
Celebrate the 2025 Lunar New Year at Club 98, where there will be a Chinese DJ playing C-Pop, C-HipHop, and Pop all night long. Dice games, confetti and glow sticks will be available. Tickets start from £6 – get yours here.