Chinese New Year at Merrion Centre by The Year Of The Horse
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Posted on 15th January 2026
Merrion Centre Once Again Hosts Leeds City Centre’s Biggest Chinese New Year Celebrations for 2026
The Merrion Centre in Leeds is set to once again host the city centre’s largest Chinese New Year celebration in 2026, welcoming the Year of the Horse with an exciting programme of cultural performances, workshops, and family-friendly activities. This year’s event, once again supported by the Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds, promises to be bigger and better than ever, offering something for visitors of all ages.
On Saturday 14th and Saturday 21st February 2026, the Merrion Centre will be alive with the sights and sounds of Chinese New Year, with a wide range of events designed to celebrate Chinese heritage and culture. Visitors can look forward to traditional lion dances, Tai Chi demonstrations, live musical performances, and hands-on workshops, all in a vibrant atmosphere of celebration.
“We are incredibly excited to once again be hosting the largest Chinese New Year celebration in Leeds city centre. This is an event that’s enjoyed not only by the Chinese community, but by everyone who wants to experience the fantastic, colourful traditions of Chinese New Year. The celebrations continue to grow each year, and we can’t wait to welcome visitors of all backgrounds to enjoy the Year of the Horse at the Merrion Centre.”
This year’s festivities will include a variety of cultural performances, including traditional Chinese music and dance, martial arts demonstrations, and live calligraphy and cooking sessions. Attendees can also participate in interactive workshops to learn more about Chinese customs, try their hand at Chinese arts, and explore the symbolism behind the Year of the Horse.
FREE Chinese Workshops will be offered during the February half-term holidays, from 18th–20th February 2026, where children can join Leeds Chinese Community School for a hands-on experience and get creative with traditional arts & crafts (including lantern painting and calligraphy writing), and create beautiful origami, alongside Chinese Dance Lessons and Musical Workshops.
Additionally, visitors will be able to enjoy a wide variety of authentic Asian cuisine and beverages thanks to the many eateries based at the Merrion Centre including popular restaurants such as Blue Sakura, Gong Cha, Blue Pavilion, Eatime, and MeetFresh, where guests can sample traditional flavours from China and other parts of Asia.
Merrion Centre Chinese New Year Event Schedule
Event Dates
The Chinese New Year festivities will take place at the Merrion Centre on:click each date for the full itineraries: (opens in new page)
14th February 2026
18th to Friday 20th February (Workshops)
21st February 2026