Celebrate the Year of the Dog at the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival

Dublin’s Chinese New Year Festival is entering its 10th year in 2018, with events planned all around Dublin to get everyone celebrating the Year of the Dog.

Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, is determined by the traditional East Asian lunar calendar. Because the New Year is based on the lunar calendar, it falls on a different day each year, normally between January 21st and February 20th.

This year, the Chinese New Year falls on February 16th, and the celebrations will last two weeks.

Year of the Earth Dog

The lunar calendar runs in a 12 year cycle, and each year is assigned one of 12 animals: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

Each year is also assigned one of 5 Taoist elements: gold, wood, water, fire and earth.

2018 is the Year of the Earth Dog.

Dublin Chinese New Year Festival

There’s a wide range of events happening all over Dublin to celebrate the Chinese New Year Festival. They range from free events to paid, and no matter what you’re interested in, there will be something there for you.

We’ve pulled out some of the events on offer, but you can view the full programme here.

Celebrations

• Spring Festival Fair: Head along to the chq Building for the Spring Festival Fair, which will include musical performances, martial arts demos, calligraphy, and more. The theme will be all things dog with crafts, workshops, and entertainment. The fair will be held on February 24 and 25 (Saturday 11am – 6pm & Sunday 11am-5pm) at the chq Building. This is a free event.

Workshops

• Manhua 漫画 – Chinese Comic Book Workshop: Make your own comic book and learn about the Chinese art of manhua 漫画 through drawing. This event costs €10 and will be held at the Tara Building on Saturday 24 February. There are 3 time slots:
  • 10:00 – 12:00 (suitable for ages 4 – 12). Book here.
  • 13:00 – 15:00 (suitable for ages 12 – 17). Book here.
  • 17:00 – 19:00 (for adults). Book here.

Food

• Chinese New Year Food Extravaganza: The Asian Market on Drury Street is hosting a range of tasting sessions on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 February. Head along to try some exotic fruit, dumplings, sweets and snacks and listen to talks on what Chinese New Year means for different people. This is a free event with no booking required.

Talks

• Chinese New Year Traditions: Learn all about Chinese New Year Traditions such as why lanterns are important, and what food is eaten during the celebrations at this talk by Professor Yan Yi Blake from the Irish Chinese Cultural Society. This event will be held at Chester Beatty Library on Saturday 24 February at 2pm. This is a free event with no booking required.

There are over 50 events taking place across the two weeks fo celebrations. View the programme here and visit the festival website for more information.