Lunar Year: Newcastle Celebrations

The 2024 Lunar New Year celebrations are set to be a spectacle of colour and sound taking place on Sunday 11th February in Newcastle’s China Town. This year, the popular procession featuring the famous lion and dragon dance, is to begin at the Monument.

In honour of the year of the Dragon, festival goers will be able to see the heralded Dragon Dance parade from 11.00am. The parade will start at Grey's Monument and wind its way along Blackett Street and Gallowgate and towards the Chinese Arch at Stowell Street.

With events continuing throughout the day, restaurants and businesses will be showcasing Chinese food and arts, ranging from calligraphy to music. There will be plenty of photo opportunities along the way to capture some memories with the lion dancers!

Festival goers are also welcome to visit the Chinese Association situated on Stowell Street and participate in a selection of activities exploring Chinese culture and heritage.

Timings for Lunar New Year activities:

10:20am: Lion and dragon demo outside Fujiyama restaurant on Bath Lane

10:50am - midday: Thai chi performances and Chinese music and dancing at the Chinese Arch on Stowell Street

11am - 11:30am: Demonstrations at Grey's Monument from parade participants

11:30am: Parade leaves Grey's Monument arriving at the Chinese Arch at approximately midday

Road Closures (2024)

To accommodate for the 2024 Chinese New Year Festivities, the following roads will be temporarily closed between approx. 10:45am and 05:00pm on Sunday 22nd January:

- Stowell Street, for entire duration.
- St Andrews Street, between Gallowgate and Newgate Street.
- Bath Lane, between Rutherford Street and Westgate Road.
- Friars Street, for entire duration.
- Monk Street, for entire duration.
- Cross Street, for entire duration.
- Fenkle Street, between Clayton Street and Cross Street.
- West Walls, between Stowell St and Cross St.
- Charlotte Square, for entire duration.
- Blackfriars Court, for entire duration.
- Low Friars Street, for entire duration.

Buses in Newcastle City Centre will be diverted between 11:30 & 12:30 on Sunday 11th February while a Lunar New Year celebration takes place. Services from Eldon Square towards Gateshead will be unable to serve stops at Newgate Street, please catch your bus from Eldon Square or St Nicholas Street. Services from Eldon Square towards Central Station will be unable to serve Eldon Square and will operate to & from Newgate Street, stop number 08NC126 near the former Wilkinson store.