CELEBRATIONS for Chinese New Year will be celebrated at a new venue this year.

Usually the traditional Lion Dance is performed outside the Guildhall hall in the High Street but, this year, Worcestershire Chinese Association has teemed up with The Museum of Royal Worcester and The Royal Porcelain Works to bring in the year of the Rabbit in style.

The courtyard outside GoodRoots café will be alive with the Lion Dance and Pom Pom the Giant Panda, as well as music and a martial arts demonstration in Henry Sandon Hall.

The celebrations will take place between 10am and 3pm on Sunday, January 29, and the Museum of Royal Worcester is offering free entry for the day.

While Engage with China, an educational charity building China literacy in UK schools, is also an event partner bringing alive Chinese culture through a traditional Chinese tea ceremony demonstration and Chinese calligraphy. There will be lots of Chinese arts and crafts.

And the Museum’s Paint-Your-Own-Pottery studio will also be open for adults and children to paint Year of the Rabbit ceramic shapes for a small cost.

Frankie Tsang, chairman of Worcestershire Chinese Association, said: "We can’t wait to welcome in the Year of the Rabbit and invite people to celebrate with us.

"The Lion Dance is always spectacular and this year we are thrilled to bring it to a new venue.

"Pom Pom the Giant Panda will be greeting everyone and there will be fortune cookies, Lucky Red envelopes and Lucky Rabbit sweets for children."

Sophie Heath, museum director, said: "Our Museum team have enjoyed learning how to prepare a Chinese tea ceremony to offer visitors a taste of traditional Chinese culture. We will have lots of arts and crafts activities inspired by China and its New Year festival for families to join in with.

"In the lead up to Chinese New Year, we are also hosting a free online talk on 18 January called ‘Chinese Whispers’ as inspiration from China holds a special place in the heart of Royal Worcester, and the Museum holds many exquisite pieces that owe their shape and decoration to Chinese art and design."

Kathy Leather, general manager at The Royal Porcelain Works, said: "We are incredibly excited to be hosting Worcester’s 2023 Chinese New Year celebrations. The Worcestershire Chinese Association are putting on a wonderful day free of charge to the public. We are looking forward to welcoming you and sharing the extraordinary culture of China with the people of Worcestershire."

You can find out more about Worcester’s Chinese New Year celebrations on Sunday 29 January and the free online zoom talk on 18 January on the Museum website www.museumofroyalworcester.org/whats-on