Lunar New Year 2023: The Year of the Rabbit in Birmingham

The Lunar New Year celebrations kicked off at the Bullring & Grand Central on Saturday 21st January 2023 with the Traditional Lion Dance from Choy Lee Fut Lion and Dragon Dance Team, orgainised by the Chinese Festival Committee Birmingham. There was also events in Southside at Hippodrome Square and The Arcadian on Sunday 22nd January 2023. Happy Chinese New Year!

Saturday 21st January 2023 at Bullring & Grand Central Birmingham

Chinese Lion Procession (Beginning at 'The Bull')

The festivities began around 12pm at The Bull. Birmingham We Are's Elliott Brown popped up to Costa Coffee inside Next at the Bullring, and after buying a coffee, was able to get a table for the views. After they left Rotunda Square, and went down St Martin's Walk, it was time to leave Costa @ Next and head to the West Mall 2nd floor balcony view!

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dndimg alt="Chinese Lion dance" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/CPL%20Bullring%2021012023%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Traditional Lion Dance at the Bullring

The Choy Lee Fut Lion and Dragon Dance Team walking in with the their dancing lions and drums on the ground floor of the Bullring, was a great view from the 2nd floor balcony, many people were watching. After introductions from the MC and James Wong, the drummers really showed their stuff to the crowd! Would be more events during the day, but this was all that I wanted to see, and it hurts to stand on one spot for too long.

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dndimg alt="Chinese Lion dance" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/TLD%20Bullring%2021012023%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Sunday 22nd January 2023 around Southside

 

Lunar New Year Celebrations in Hippodrome Square

For the first time in 3 years (since January 2020 before the pandemic), they had a stage set up in Hippodrome Square, and it drew a large crowd of people, a little bit too crowded, and not enough room to walk out of the area. The Chinese lion dancers and drummers went on stage early on, after the procession from The Arcadian.

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dndimg alt="Southside" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Stage%20LNY%20HSq%2022012023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Ladywell Walk

There was a carousel on Ladywell Walk near Hippodrome Square, as well as a balloon arch. The procession from The Arcadian went up here to the stage.

dndimg alt="Ladywell Walk" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/LNY%20Ladywell%20Walk%202201223.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Hurst Street

On Hurst Street, south of the Hippodrome was various market stalls and fun fair rides. Was a bit crowded at this end.

dndimg alt="Hurst Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/LNY%20Hurst%20St%2022012023.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

There was also a ride called Hysteria on Hurst Street, close to the Missing bar and Bromsgrove Street. On the roads that were open, was a lot of traffic around. Was also a teacup ride at this end.

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dndimg alt="Hysteria" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hysteria%20HS%2022012023%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Arcadian

The procession of the lion dance started in the arena here, before proceeding to Ladywell Walk and Hippodrome Square.

dndimg alt="The Arcadian" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/LNY%20Arcadian%2022012023.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Elliott Brown

 

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dndimg alt="Lunar New Year" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/LNY%20Jack%2022012023%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington

 

MasterChef champion Dan Lee was also in Southside with his trophy.

dndimg alt="Lunar New Year" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/LNY%20Jack%2022012023%20(6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photography by Jack Babington