Hop into the Year of the Rabbit 2023 with the Edinburgh Chinese New Year Festival
Organisers of Edinburgh’s Chinese New Year Festival today announced a full programme of events and activities across the city to celebrate Chinese New Year and the start of The Year of the Rabbit.
Article Source: Edinburgh’s Chinese New Year Festival
Last Updated: 16 January 2023 15:26
Organisers of Edinburgh’s Chinese New Year Festival today announced a full programme of events and activities across the city to celebrate Chinese New Year and the start of The Year of the Rabbit. The programme, which includes the Official Chinese New Year Concert, a performance of Mulan, a bilingual Ceilidh and a fabulous light show at Edinburgh Castle, also offers online calligraphy, music and Tai Chi workshops and runs from Friday 20 January to Friday 3 February 2023.
According to Chinese Astrology, the Rabbit symbolises patience, luck and longevity. It is believed that the Year of the Rabbit, which officially begins on 22 January, will bring qualities that may have been lacking in the previous year, such as peace and success.
Edinburgh’s Chinese New Year Festival, generously supported by Heriot-Watt University and City of Edinburgh Council and co-ordinated by Edinburgh Tourism Action Group (ETAG) as part of its China Ready initiative, has become the largest celebration of its kind in Scotland since its inception in 2019.
Rob Lang, Chair of the ETAG China Ready Initiative, said: “We’re delighted to be working with businesses across the city to welcome The Year of the Rabbit by creating a unique and inspiring celebration of Scottish and Chinese culture. Edinburgh’s Chinese New Year Festival creates an excellent opportunity to re-affirm Scotland’s capital city as an inspiring and welcoming destination for overseas visitors, as well as enabling the people of the city to learn more about Chinese culture.”
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra will be joined by a host of special guests to perform a ground-breaking programme of Scottish and Chinese music and song in The Official Chinese New Year Concert at the Usher Hall on 21 January. The Concert will be preceded by Lion and Dragon Dances outside the venue. On 22 and 23 January, Edinburgh Castle will host The Chinese New Year Light Show, organised by the Asian Association of Culture Commerce and Education in Europe and supported by City of Edinburgh Council, which can be viewed, for free, from the Castle Esplanade. Audiences will enjoy a wonderful collection of Chinese performances projected onto the city’s most iconic monument.
On Sunday 22 January, a Chinese New Year cultural and artistic display will take place on the Mound outside the Scottish National Gallery. The Mound Chinese New Year Celebration, organised by Edinburgh Chinese Arts Association, presents Lion Dances, Chinese New Year folk dances, Han costume show, Chinese calligraphy and with lots of audience participation this is a free, fun way to get involved in the celebrations.
Other events in the programme include Lion Dancers at St James Quarter (who are celebrating Chinese New Year for the first time), a Bilingual Ceilidh at St Cecilia’s Hall with live music and a dance caller, Lunar New Year Tarot Card Reading at Harvey Nichols with Kalem, Scotland’s leading palmist, a Year of the Rabbit Chinese Art Experience in the Strathberry Boutique in Multrees Walk where customers can enjoy Chinese Calligraphy and paper-cutting artists and Tai Chi, Qigong and Mahjong sessions at the Eric Liddell Centre. Online events include two Chinese Music Workshops, one featuring the Chinese Zither and the second the Erhu and Pipa. Participants can enjoy the music and learn about the importance of these instruments in Chinese Culture. There are also online Chinese New Year taster sessions and Calligraphy workshops.
The final event in the 2023 programme is The Ballad of Mulan which will be performed at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh on 3 February. The performance tells the story of Hua Mulan who replaced her aging father to serve her country, disguising herself as a man, fighting bravely in the army and eventually being reunited with her family.
Edinburgh’s Chinese New Year Festival brings together communities across Edinburgh to celebrate Chinese Culture and offers Chinese residents and students a range of activities to help them celebrate.
Prof. Ian Baxter, from Edinburgh Business School at Heriot Watt University, said: “Edinburgh’s Chinese New Year Festival has become a key moment in the cultural calendar of the city. We are once again delighted to support the Festival, industry partners and cultural venues as we celebrate this important time of the year. What a wonderful opportunity for us all to experience and learn about Chinese culture, and to welcome Chinese visitors back to our city in the spirit of goodwill and friendship.”
Lord Provost Robert Aldridge, said: “Each year our celebrations for Chinese New Year in the Capital continue to grow, providing us with an opportunity to enhance Scottish people’s understanding of Chinese culture, so I’m delighted to see another rich programme of events and activities. There really is something for everyone in the programme and alongside the colourful events such as the Official Chinese New Year Concert, performance of Mulan and a wonderful light show at Edinburgh Castle there is also a chance to learn new skills in the online calligraphy, music and Tai Chi workshops.
“Our city has long and proud links with China going back over a century. And as we welcome the Year of the Rabbit, which symbolises patience, luck and longevity peace and success we can look forward to another wonderful celebration and year ahead.”
Mme Hou Danna, Chinese Acting Consul General in Edinburgh, said: “Edinburgh Chinese New Year Festival has been a great success and hugely popular since 2019, celebrating both unique Chinese culture and the city’s cultural diversity. I congratulate ETAG and partners on the fantastic programme of the Year of the Rabbit and thank their efforts to put it together. This year’s Festival would be seen as a prelude to fully resume two-way visits and exchanges between China and Scotland, as China had lifted cross-border travel restrictions relating to Covid-19 pandemic effective 8 January. I look forward to supporting our cultural and people-to-people links to go from strength to strength.”
Details of all events and activities across Edinburgh’s Chinese New Year Festival can be found at www.chinesenewyear.scot.
Chinese New Year falls on Sunday 22 January and Edinburgh’s Chinese New Year Festival runs from Friday 20 January to Friday 3 February 2023.
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
Summer of Roses: Free gardening workshop at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a free Rose-themed Grow How workshop this June, sharing top tips for caring for this beloved flowering plant.
READ MORE
Loganair launches island getaway with direct route from Edinburgh to Guernsey
Loganair, the UK’s leading regional airline, has completed its inaugural direct flight between Edinburgh and Guernsey, kicking off its summer offering.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Winter Festivals deliver significant benefits to the City and Scotland
Unique Assembly have publish the report on Edinburgh's Winter Festivals 2024-25, ahead of releasing early-bird tickets for the Hogmanay Street Party and Torchlight Procession.
READ MORE
Oink marks 25 delicious years with better than 2000 prices
PULLED PORK lovers across Edinburgh are in for a treat as one of the capital’s most beloved lunch spots celebrates a quarter century of roasting with its cheapest ever price.
READ MORE
Edinburgh man to take on 25 Rounds in five days for Doddie Foundation
Graeme Smeaton will play 25 rounds of golf in five days across East Lothian to raise £25,000 for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, supporting MND research.
READ MORE
Cheers to 30 years: Scottish Bar and Pub Awards celebrate with public voting now open
Scotland's longest-running hospitality awards turn 30 - and they want you to have your say!
READ MORE
Edinburgh restaurant begins new dining chapter inspired by famous author
The team behind one of Edinburgh’s most popular city centre restaurants has announced plans to start a new dining chapter at its Castle Street venue in June.
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Unplugged is coming this weekend!
Loch Lomond Unplugged, our FREE showcase of talented buskers and singer/songwriters, is this weekend and we’re super excited to welcome great acts from across Scotland and beyond!
READ MORE
Casting announced for Here & Now
The producers of the brand new musical HERE & NOW, presented by UK pop sensation, Steps, are delighted to announce the principal cast for the UK & Ireland tour!
READ MORE
Assembly Festival Flash Sale this weekend only
Assembly Festival have announced the release of £8 tickets to shows across the Fringe programme, this May Bank Holiday weekend only.
READ MORE
Critically endangered cotton top tamarins born at Edinburgh Zoo
Two critically endangered cotton-top tamarins have been born at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo to mum Elf and dad Zecca on Tuesday 20 May.
READ MORE
Harry Potter dragon headed your way!
Edinburgh locals will have a rare chance to interact with a piece of Harry Potter filmmaking magic history on the 30th and 31st May.
READ MORE
Vault City brews viral Dubai chocolate bar into dessert stout
EDINBURGH’S flavour-forward beer pioneers Vault City are back with their most requested creation yet, and fans are already going wild for it.
READ MORE
Pilot set for take off with brand new bar!
Cult Leith brewery Pilot are launching their first ever bar, Vessel, in Edinburgh today - 22nd May 2025.
READ MORE
Free Pret Sandwiches For PicNICs This Bank Holiday
This May Bank Holiday Pret Edinburgh and Glasgow will be giving away free sandwiches to the first 50 customers called Nick, Nicole, or anyone whose name starts with ‘Nic’.
READ MORE
Pizza for breakfast takes off at Edinburgh Airport
Check the arrivals screen and be ready with your boarding pass, because PizzaExpress, the nation’s most iconic pizzeria brand, has landing at Edinburgh Airport.
READ MORE
Dig into summer fun at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting children to come along to its free-to-attend Little Seedlings Club, taking place across the country this June.
READ MORE
May and June at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
From Music to Father's Day, discover Virgin Hotels Edinburgh's events taking place in May and June!
READ MORE
Dance Base and Assembly announce 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Programme
Prepare to be moved by movement at Dance Base this summer, as Scotland’s National Centre for Dance announces its 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Programme.
READ MORE
Aldi to gift year supply of free beer to biggest beer lover in Scotland
Aldi Scotland is on the hunt for the nation's biggest beer lover, as it revamps its popular Best Home Bar Competition by expanding the criteria.
READ MORE
Milestone year for Refugee Festival Scotland
Refugee Festival Scotland has officially unveiled the programme for its highly anticipated 2025 edition, running from 13 – 22 June.
READ MORE
Bruadar toasts World Bee Day with honey infused cocktails in bars across Scotland
Limited-edition serves launched across top Scottish bars using honey from Aberargie Distillery's resident bees.
READ MORE
Fort Kinnaird launches search for biggest Stitch fan
Fort Kinnaird is on the hunt to find Edinburgh's biggest Stitch fan ahead of the new Lilo & Stitch live action film coming to screens later this week!
READ MORE
Vue to host marvellous superhero season welcoming classic X Men films back to the big screen for 25th anniversary
Film fans, families and comic book enthusiasts are invited to rediscover the original big screen superhero team as a series of classic X-Men films return to the big screen at Vue this month.
READ MORE
World Surf League Big Wave Pros Make a Splash at Lost Shore Surf Resort
Scottish surfing prodigy Ben Larg and elite big wave surfer Andrew Cotton recently demonstrated their skills at Lost Shore Surf Resort.
READ MORE
Leftfield reopens with new look and menu
Leftfield - the Bruntsfield neighbourhood restaurant by restaurateur Rachel Chisholm and chef Phil White - has reopened its doors following a short period of refurbishment.
READ MORE
Cafe Calton to Open This June on Iconic Calton Hill
This June, Edinburgh will welcome Cafe Calton, a vibrant new day-to-evening venue perched atop the city’s iconic Calton Hill.
READ MORE
Heading Down Under: The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo announces Australia and New Zealand Tours
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has announced they will be touring the Show The Heroes Who Made Us in Australia and New Zealand in 2026.
READ MORE
Kids Fly FareFREE on new Loganair routes
Families can take advantage of Loganair's new Kids Fly Fare-FREE offer, allowing children aged 11 and under to travel without paying an airfare.
READ MORE
Eat & Drink 365 Edinburgh launches today
Eat & Drink 365 Edinburgh, The List’s new publication featuring a treasure trove of dining recommendations, launched today, and is available for free from all good stockists across the capital city.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links