Welcoming the dawning of the year of the Fire Horse! 

Cosmopolitan Arts, a proud National Portfolio Organisation, is delighted to announce its 2026 Chinese / Lunar New Year celebrations, welcoming the Year of the Horse with a spectacular weekend of colour, culture and community. Taking place across Leicester on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February 2026, the festival promises an inspiring programme of performances, processions and participatory experiences for audiences of all ages.

The celebrations begin on Saturday, 21st February, with a lively takeover of Highcross Leicester from 1pm to 6pm. Visitors can immerse themselves in an exciting programme of magical performances, including a first to Leicester, a professional face changer, live music, mesmerising traditional dance, including the famous fan and ribbon dances, dynamic martial arts demonstrations and hands-on workshops, alongside many other surprises. Throughout the day, traditional lion dances will animate multiple locations across Leicester city centre, spreading joy, good fortune and festive energy.

The festivities continue on Sunday, 22nd February, starting at De Montfort University with a spectacular lion dance performance outside the Food Village at 3:00pm. From there, the celebration bursts into motion with a vibrant procession through Leicester city centre from 3:30pm at Jubilee Square, featuring lion dancers, dragons, giant puppets, Buddhas and symbolic figures from Chinese tradition. The procession will culminate at Town Hall Square, where the space will be transformed from 5pm for a breathtaking finale show with pyrotechnics, fireworks, lion dance, live music and much more — an unforgettable highlight of the weekend.

This Chinese / Lunar New Year celebration is free and has something for all the family, offering everyone the opportunity to come together and welcome the Year of the Fire Horse in a joyful, inclusive and culturally rich atmosphere.

Cosmopolitan Arts extends heartfelt thanks to Arts Council England, Leicester City Council and the Confucius Institute for their continued support in making this celebration possible.

Accessibility

Please note that wheelchair user viewing areas will be available. 

For the finale show taking place at 5pm on Sunday, the 22nd of February, please arrive at 4:30 on the Horsefair Street side of the stage, and you will be greeted by a security guard who will guide you.