With just a few weeks to go, we are delighted to be co-producing Chinese New Year 2018 (16 – 18 Feb)  with the Chinese Festival Committee for a fun, free celebration of the year of the dog.

Colmore BID kicks off the celebrations with warm-up events in Birmingham’s business district on Fri 16 Feb at midday, with a traditional Chinese lion performing a dance and visiting businesses in the area. The lion symbolises luck, wealth and prosperity and it’s believed that the longer it dances, the more luck and wealth it will bring. Businesses in and around Colmore Row can request a visit here.

On Sat 17 Feb the celebrations continue with dance and music performances taking over the city centre. There will be activity in the Bullring and around Grand Central.

On Sun 18 Feb between 11:30am and 4:30pm we have a variety of exciting performances happening on our main stage in Hurst Street. The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Anne Underwood and chairman of Birmingham’s Chinese Festival Committee James Wong will be marking the beginning of the festival followed by a lion dance and firecrackers.

Kicking off the performances on the main stage we have the renowned Rosie Kay Dance Company performing Modern Warrior – where two opposing groups meet in an epic stand-off. Fast-paced danced martial arts sequences meet traditional Chinese dance and lions in this visual spectacular.

During the exciting celebration, there will be performances from professional Chinese artists and local community groups showcasing acrobats, circus acts, contortionists and fire performers. With the final closing ceremony rounding the day off with a firecracker display.

Alongside the action on the main stage, in our Patrick Studio Birmingham Royal Ballet will be performing an exclusive piece from Sleeping Beauty and Birmingham Conservatoire are providing a classical Chinese performance. Both will run twice in the day, and they are free but ticketed, so grab yourself a ticket online.

And don’t miss our FREE craft workshops in our foyer; make your own drum, Chinese lantern, spiral dragon or mask, or add your name to our wall in our graffiti and calligraphy workshops supported by POSCA.

Birmingham has one of the biggest Chinese communities in the UK and up to 30,000 revellers are expected to enjoy the festivities.

Find out more about the Chinese New Year celebrations on our website here and join in the conversation on Twitter #CNYBirmingham2018

Birmingham Hippodrome festival activities are sponsored by The Forum development, Birmingham’s first build-to-rent scheme funded by Rockspring Property Investment Managers LLP.