We would like to wish all those preparing for and celebrating the arrival of the Year of the Snake a very happy and healthy New Year. We are delighted that once again this year we will be able to enjoy a range of exciting celebrations taking place across the University and City.
On Wednesday 12 February 2025 from 6-8pm, Durham University’s Oriental Museum will be hosting its fantastic annual Lantern Festival celebration.
The Year of the Snake will be celebrated across Asia, over a two-week period of festivities, when people spend time with family, feast and invite good fortune and happiness into their homes for the year ahead. The celebrations culminate in a Lantern Festival in which the streets are bedecked with lanterns.
At the Oriental Museum’s family-friendly celebration, visitors will be able to enjoy dragon dancing, New Year snacks, a special Lion Dance performance, and listen to the legendary story of the Great Race. There will also be lots of snake-themed craft activities, and a lively performance by Durham University’s P’ungmul Korean percussion group.
Charlotte Spink, a Learning Coordinator at the Oriental Museum said: “We’re especially excited this year to have the Moi Fa Lion dance team performing at the Lantern Festival. With the amazing costumes and drumming, it’s really spectacular.”
Junyao, a Durham University student who will be performing at the event said “I’ll be playing some songs on the guzheng - a traditional Chinese stringed instrument. At this time of year, coming together with family and friends is really important and I'm excited to share in this celebration."
Celebrations are taking place across the city on Saturday 1 February. including a traditional Lion Dance by Oceans Apart Kung Fu Club, at 12.30pm in the city centre. Food will also be available in the Market Place.
At Clayport Library activities will be taking place throughout the day, including children’s crafts (lanterns, paper chain snakes and more) and handling of ancient objects from the Oriental Museum’s collection from 10:30am - 15:30pm. Additionally, from 12-2.30pm, visitors can join drop-in language taster sessions from the University. At the Oriental Museum families are invited to make snaky shadow puppets and explore the Museum from 1-3pm. This activity is suitable for families with children aged 5-11 years.
Over at Dunelm House, Durham Students’ Union on New Elvet, visitors can join a special performance and tea ceremony at 11am.
From 12.30-2.30pm, a University showcase will take place, with a fantastic performance of music, song and dance performed by members of the Chinese Scholars and Students Association, the Han Fu Society and Durham Chinese School. The show will feature great solo instrumentals on instruments unfamiliar to many - erhu, hulusi, gushing and pipa, great vocal performances, a dance show choreographed by DURance and will conclude with an amazing costume show; introducing traditional Chinese costume from all parts of China and across the centuries.
Visitors can join and leave the performance programme at any point. Tiered seating will provide an excellent view of two special shows.
On 8 February, 1-3pm, visitors are invited to join a Crowd Crafting event at the Oriental Museum, to create paper lanterns to decorate the museum for the Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival is the culmination of over two weeks of Year of the Snake festivities and marks the launch of Durham Global Week, a series of events and activities to highlight the University’s international impact, through its students, staff and global community.
Global Week will take place from 1-9 March and offers a wide range of activities from lectures to performances, talks and film screenings for everyone to enjoy.
Entry to the Lantern Festival is £3 for adults and children over 2 years old. Children under 2 enter free of charge.
Tickets must be purchased in advance via Eventbrite and the event is open to all.
Find out more about Year of the Snake celebrations in Durham
Find out more about Durham Global Week
Purchase tickets for the Lantern Festival
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