Rotterdam Lunar New Year
On Katendrecht, we welcome the Year of the Horse.
Lunar New Year is celebrated in many Asian countries, including China, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia. During the Rotterdam Lunar New Year, different cultures are highlighted, while celebrations, traditions, and customs also come together in one shared festival. In this way, the Lunar New Year becomes a celebration where everyone can feel at home.
The celebrations, inside and outside
Outside, on Deliplein, the festivities burst into life with performances, music, and vibrant energy. Inside, at Plein, Rotterdam Chinese New Year creates welcoming living rooms inspired by Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean cultures. Play a game of mahjong or take part in a tea ceremony. The focus is on being together and sharing the beginning of a new year.
In addition to the programme below, the full lion dance can be followed from Hotel New York (starting at 14:25), and the day concludes with a fireworks show from Kop van Zuid at 18:30.
The programme is presented in collaboration with Rotterdam Chinese New Year and Verhalenhuis Belvédère. The full programme is free and open to all ages.
Indoor Programme at Plein
Performances
15:00 - 15:15 Japanese Calligraphy Show: Impressive movements turn calligraphy into an art form where dance and language come together.
16:00 - 17:00 Wing Chun Workshop: Wing Chun, a martial art from southeastern China. A kung fu style that focuses on short, fast movements.
17:00 - 18:00 Boxing Workshop (Chinese Team): A boxing workshop in a Chinese style
Activities and Workshops
13:00 - 18:00 Mahjong: Learn the basics of the centuries-old, still popular game of Mahjong during workshops led by the Red Dragon Social Club.
13:00 - 18:00 Table Tennis: Challenge your friends to a game of table tennis.
13:00 - 18:00 Face Painting and Crafts Table: Children can have their faces painted or take part in Lunar New Year–themed craft activities, organised by Wereldmuseum Rotterdam.
14:30 - 17:30 Phone Charm and Deco: Chuangyi Club invites you to create your own phone charm.
13:00 - 18:00 (Board) Games: Play a variety of popular Asian board games and experience the classics traditionally played during New Year celebrations.
13:00 - 18:00 Chinese and Korean Calligraphy: Have your name or a New Year’s wish written in calligraphy. Learn about the differences between the Chinese and Korean styles.
14:30 – 18:00 Hanfu Society: Meet the members of the Hanfu Society. Take a photo or ask them about their beautiful costumes.
Lunar New Year Living Room
The Lunar New Year Living Room is a place to slow down and experience the customs, traditions, and practices surrounding Lunar New Year celebrations. In this living room, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures come together.
Enjoy something to eat, join one of the activities, admire the live painting of one of the giant horses from the Zodiac art project, or take part in the New Year wishes project.
Activities in the Lunar New Year Living Room:
• Korean tea ceremony
• Vietnamese tea ceremony
• Chinese tea ceremony
• Lunar New Year quiz
• New Year wishes
Outside Programme Deliplein
Markt
On Deliplein, you’ll find a variety of stalls offering Asian street food and coffee.
Karaoke
Sing the biggest K-pop hits, a Dutch sing-along, or an English-language hit in the karaoke container. Solo, as a duet, or with your whole group of friends — anything goes!
Podium Programma
A varied programme full of performances, workshops, and demos.
Check out the full stage programme on the Rotterdam Chinese New Year website.
