Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year at Warwick: Chinese Year of the Snake
Tues 28 Jan, Warwick SU
Starting at 1pm
Join us as we unite and celebrate Lunar New Year here at Warwick!
Many people around the world celebrate the start of the New Year in Spring, and the festival is known by many names including the Chinese Spring Festival, Korean Seollal, Vietnamese Tet and Tibetan Losar. Learn more about these celebrations and take part in traditional games & crafts -and don’t miss out on your chance to taste our delicious dumplings!
Don't miss your chance to be part of the action!
Live Screening: Chinese New Year Gala
Fusion Sports Bar, time TBC
Join us in this celebratory screening of the New Year's Gala LIVE from China, featuring all the traditional music, dance, comedy and drama performances and that all important count-down.
Craft Activities
Warwick SU, 4-6pm
Enjoy a variety of craft activities, including origami hanboks and blossoms, kite making, lucky knots and more!
No booking necessary, simply turn up and have a go!
Wishing Tree
Chaplaincy Lawn, 2-3:30pm
Have you thought about your wish list for this year yet? Well, now is the time to get to it. Write your wish on the paper, tie it to the tangerine and throw it into the tree - if it hangs, the wish will come true. If not, maybe you were a little too greedy...
Mark the Lunar New Year with this beautiful tradition, particularly popular in Hong Kong, Taiwan and other regions!
Come back in January to book your place.
Lucky Purse / Envelope
The Atrium, Warwick SU, 2-5pm
Join us in this celebratory screening of the New Year's Gala LIVE from China, featuring all the traditional music, dance, comedy and drama performances and that all important count-down.
Fun Games
The Atrium, Warwick SU, 2-6pm
If you're feeling competitive, gather your friends and join in with a game of Yunnori, Mahjong or Gobang. Who is going to come out on top? Find a game placed around the SU Atrium and practice your skills.
Celebratory Snack Buffet
Warwick SU , 4–6pm,
Nothing says celebration more than a buffet of delicious goodies. Indulge in a range of our authentic snacks, including FREE hot dumplings, yakgwa cookies, red watermelon and more!
We’d advise you to get there early…first come, first served.
Calligraphy Workshops
Warwick SU, Session times TBC
Unleash your creativity and discover the art of beautiful writing in our Calligraphy Workshop! Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, this hands-on session led by Yinghong Shang will guide you through the fundamentals of this timeless art form so that you can take home your very own handcrafted creation. No prior experience needed—just bring your enthusiasm and a passion for creativity!
This event is always popular so come back in January to book your place and avoid disappointment!
(Please note, this event is for students only.)
Lion Dance Finale
Piazza, 6pm
A feast of colour and action, this is a performance not to be missed! Grab your coats and come along to marvel at the beauty of this traditional Lion Dance performance. Traditionally performed to ward off bad luck, be sure to get your spot and take part in the celebrations.
If you're a student planning to attend, come back in January to book your FREE place. And if you're not student or staff? Not a problem- just turn up and enjoy.
Why are we calling it Lunar New Year?
Within our university community, we have students, staff members and alumni from a wide range of backgrounds, many of whom also celebrate this festival in different ways and often with different names including Spring Festival, Seollal, Tet and Losar.
Ahead of organising the celebrations, we have consulted a wide range of cultural societies around the naming convention for this festival including several of the Chinese societies, and many students favour the inclusivity of the term ‘Lunar New Year’ to reflect the wide variety of backgrounds and traditions encompassed in this celebration.
Therefore, in an attempt to increase inclusivity, the University is referring to this festival as the ‘Lunar New Year’, while also referencing the ‘Chinese’ year of the Snake, to acknowledge the broad consensus around the Chinese origins of the zodiac animals.
It is also clearly understood that individual societies, students, staff members and our alumni community will use the naming convention that feels most authentic to them. We hope this helps to explain why we reference the Lunar New Year alongside the Chinese Year of the Snake within our University communications.
What else is happening on Campus?
There are other ways to get involved and celebrate Lunar New Year, if you're planning something you want included on this page, get in touch to let us know via Warwickpresents@warwick.ac.uk