Welcoming the Year of the Horse

As a global University with staff and students from over 120 countries, we are looking forward to a range of exciting celebrations taking place across the University and City. For the first time this year, celebrations will include a special fireworks display to welcome in the new year. 

Spring Festival fireworks celebration

Join us on Monday 16 February for a Spring Festival celebration at Durham Amateur Rowing Club, supported by the University. The evening marks New Year’s Eve as observed in the lunisolar calendar, welcoming the Year of the Horse with a professionally organised fireworks display over the River Wear at 7.30pm. If you are planning fireworks as part of your celebrations, we recommend attending an organised display - they’re safer, more spectacular, and more cost-effective than celebrating at home.

Doors open at 5pm, with a festive riverside atmosphere, food and drinks available to purchase, and a programme of activities and entertainment to be announced. This family-friendly event is open to the whole Durham community. Tickets are £5 each. Advance booking is essential. No tickets will be available on the day.

Celebrations across Durham 

Celebrations are taking place across the city on Saturday 21 February, from 10am to 4pm.  

At Clayport Library from 10.30am to 3.30pm, join a drop-in crafts session where you can make lanterns and papercrafts, or try out a drop-in language or calligraphy taster session. All activities are all drop-in and free to attend. They are suitable for children and adults. Children must be supervised.  

From 12.30pm in Durham Market Place, Durham City Streets and Clayport Library, see a traditional Lion Dance and find out if the Mayor of Durham will catch the lucky lettuce to bring good luck to the City for the coming year. You will also be able to follow the Lion dance procession across the City.  

At the Oriental Museum from 1pm to 3pm, help make decorations for the Oriental Museum's Year of the Horse celebration taking place later in February. This is suitable for families with children aged five to 11 years. All children must be accompanied by an adult.  

At Durham Town Hall from 2pm to 4pm, drop into our Durham University showcase, featuring fantastic performances 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 solo performances on instruments including the Hulusi, guzheng and pipa, vocal performances, a dance show choreographed by a talented volunteer. It will conclude with a costume show, introducing traditional costume from all parts of China and across the centuries.   

Spring Festival Spectacular at the Oriental Museum 

On Saturday 28 February, the Oriental Museum will be welcoming the Year of the Horse at a spectacular Spring Festival, when it will be open late from 6pm to 8pm. The event will include activities, including traditional dragon dancing, a special Lion Dance performance by the Moi Fa Lion Dance Team, music performances and a children’s lantern parade. 

Visitors can also enjoy an interactive retelling of the legendary Great Race story and hear the lively folk music rhythms of our P’ungmul Korean percussion group. Tickets are £3 for adults and children. Booking is essential.

There is a lot to see and celebrate as we welcome the Year of the Horse, and we hope to see you at the celebrations.

Find out more 

• Book tickets for the Spring Festival Fireworks Celebration.
• Learn more about Year of the Horse celebrations in Durham.
• Book tickets for the Spring Festival Spectacular at the Oriental Museum.