Merrion Centre announces huge Chinese New Year celebrations for 2026
The Merrion Centre is set to host the city centre’s largest Chinese New Year celebration in 2026 once again, welcoming the Year of the Horse.
Supported by the Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds, this year’s festivities are set to be the mall’s most ambitious yet, with an extensive programme of cultural performances and family-friendly activities.
Visitors can expect the return of the popular Lion Dance parades, which will weave through the mall accompanied by Tai Chi demonstrations and live cultural performances and a deep partnership with local schools, including the Leeds Chinese Community School and New Vision Education Chinese School.
Together, they have curated a series of free cultural workshops designed to engage the next generation during the February half-term.
The centre is also highlighting its reputation as a major destination for authentic Asian food; fans of international cuisine can sample traditional flavours at popular resident eateries such as Blue Sakura, Blue Pavilion, Eatime, and MeetFresh, while Gong Cha provides a go-to for bubble tea lovers.
Recognising the city's large international student population, the centre is also expanding its digital outreach via RedNote (Xiaohongshu), a direct engagement that aims to connect the local Chinese community and students with the schedule of events in real-time.
James Broughton, Head of Marketing Communications at Town Centre Securities PLC (owners of the Merrion Centre), noted that the event continues to grow annually, welcoming "visitors of all backgrounds" to experience the colourful traditions.
What kids’ activities are set to take place during Merrion Centre’s Chinese New Year celebrations?
For those looking to get creative, a major draw for families this year is the schedule of free cultural workshops held during the February half-term (February 18–20).
Children can join the Leeds Chinese Community School to try their hand at lantern and fan painting, using traditional symbols and colours to create their own masterpieces.
Young visitors can also learn the ancient art of Chinese brushwork and lettering in calligraphy sessions, master the delicate skill of paper folding with traditional origami tutorials, or get active in interactive dance and musical workshops designed to introduce the vibrant rhythms and movements of the East.
When will Merrion Centre’s Chinese New Year celebrations begin?
The festivities are set to launch on February 14, with the centre coming alive from 11:00am.
The first major highlight of the festival, the traditional Lion Dance parade, is scheduled to begin at 1pm, marking the official start of the Year of the Horse celebrations.
Following the opening weekend, the event continues through the mid-week half-term break with daily workshops from February 18 to February 20, running between 12pm and 3pm.
The two-week extravaganza will reach its grand finale on February 21, with a closing cultural showcase and further performances scheduled from 12pm to 3pm.