Birmingham hosts Chinese New Year celebrations

Visitors can see the the traditional waking of the lion performance

Birmingham is to host a feast of events this weekend to mark Chinese New Year.

To welcome the Year of the Dragon, Tai Chi and music performances are planned, along with market stalls and fireworks from midday on Sunday.

The celebrations take place in the Southside district, inside and outside Birmingham Hippodrome.

The traditional waking of the lion performance is also planned as well a 10ft (3m) giant panda welcoming visitors to the area.

The event has been organised by Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee and Birmingham Chinatown Business Association.

Pom Pom the 10ft giant panda will be welcoming visitors

Chris Sudworth, creative director at the Hippodrome, said organisers were looking forward to welcoming visitors.

James Wong, chair of the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee added: "Everyone's favourites are on the bill for Lunar New Year 2024 from the traditional waking of the lion Dim Jing to dragon dances representing power, strength and good luck for the new year to Pom Pom - our giant 10ft panda - out and about welcoming festival goers throughout the day."

Lunar New Year begins on Saturday and around the world, celebrations last for about 15 days, with the occasion marked in a variety of ways in different Asian cultures.

Last year's celebrations were the first public ones since the Covid pandemic