Sheffield is set to host its largest Lunar New Year celebration ever, with a five-day festival around the city running from today until February 13.
The festival aims to unite communities in a spirit of harmony and celebration as the city welcomes the Year of the Dragon.
Sarah Ng, Chair of the Sheffield Chinese Community Centre, said: “The event is a celebration of Sheffield’s wonderful diverse cultures.
“The lunar Chinese new year is about family, friends and sharing. This year’s festivity is the biggest we’ve seen in Sheffield. It’s an inclusive event, please come and join us.”
The celebrations will begin at 5pm today, where a five-metre light-up dragon will be on display outside the Children’s Hospital.
The dragon will be positioned on the hospital’s Outpatients Department, overlooking Clarkson Street.
Members of the Chinese community have voiced their support for the celebrations.
Yi Li, 21, a student at the University of Sheffield, said: “As an international student, I cannot go back to China to have a family reunion for it, so I celebrate with friends here instead.”
He added: “It can be seen that the city attaches great importance to Chinese students and promotes traditional Chinese culture in Sheffield.”
Highlights also include a weekend of food and cultural activities, and a grand showcase event at the University of Sheffield’s Octagon Centre.
On Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 over 35 stalls will take over the Peace Gardens, providing cuisine, art and more.
Saturday evening will feature a celebration on the Octagon stage, with traditional dragon dancing, singing, and much more.
The celebrations will then culminate in a special dinner at China Red for sponsors of the dragon and other key partners in the festival.
More can be found out about the festival here.
Lord Mayor Cllr Colin Ross said: “I am pleased that we will be celebrating the Lunar New Year in style this year. It will be an opportunity for all communities to be involved in the celebration.
“I am looking forward to taking part in many of the planned events.”
Money raised throughout the festival will support the Children’s Hospital charity.
Over £13,000 was raised by supporters last year and there is still time to sponsor the dragon this year.