Chinese New Year (Dublin Lunar New Year) 2025

Chinese New Year in Dublin is a massive two-week festival featuring dance, film, talks, music, and sports activities. Initiated by the Dublin City Council, the festival engages all communities that celebrate the Lunar New Year (China, South Korea, North Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei).

Festival Program & Celebrations

Celebrations feature Chinese opera and singing, Korean drumming, Tai Chi, karaoke contests, Mongolian throat singing, culinary tastings, healing Qi Gong demonstrations, and arts and crafts. The most popular performances of the festival are, of course, dragon parades and lion dances, which traditionally mark the arrival of the Lunar New Year.

With its vibrant carnival atmosphere, the festival also features plenty of traditional decor and educational cultural workshops, including workshop on Chinese ink painting, Taiwanese puppets, Cantonese wedding, lanterns, and numerous other events. Traditional performances can also be witnessed, ranging from Mongolian dances to Taiwanese Third Prince spectacles. If you're hungry and craving something delicious, tons of mouthwatering Asian food and drinks are available at the food stalls.

Event Venues

Many cultural events take place at the Dublin Convention Center, while some unfold in the CHQ building. Asia Market near Dublin Castle hosts numerous attractions, including food events, showcases, origami workshops, and dragons. Some festivities also take place at Meeting House Square and other locations. St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre also celebrates Lunar New Year with its own set of thrilling attractions.

History of the Festival

The Dublin Chinese New Year Festival attracts about 16,000 people every year and helps deepen the Sino-Irish ties. It was founded in 2008 as an initiative of City Arts Office in Dublin City Council's Community & Recreation Department. The event collaborates with East Asian communities to ensure the most diverse and accurate representation of their customs.