Chinese New Year Events List 2023

The Confucius Institute at the University of Glasgow is delivering a series of events to celebrate the Year of Rabbit 2023, please watch this space for details.

Event 1: Chinese New Year Celebration at Kelvin Hall (in partnership with Ricefield Arts and Kelvin Hall)

Date/Time: Saturday 28 January 2023, 12.00 - 14.30
Venue: Kelvin Hall Sports Hall, 1445 Argyle St, Glasgow G3 8AW



Be part of the fun afternoon experiencing different Chinese sports and games. Leave a wish on our wishing tree, try table tennis, shuttlecock, make your own Chinese New Year crafts, listen to live music on traditional Chinese instruments, and learn Chinese dance!

Workshop leader Annie will guide participants through dance exercises, steps and techniques. By the end of the lesson, you'll have learned basic Chinese dance movements! The dance steps will be easy to follow, and you'll have a taste of Chinese culture while having fun.

All age groups, genders and levels are welcome, no previous dance experience is required. Space is limited for each workshop, please register early to avoid disappointment.

Chinese Dance Workshops Timetable:

1) 12:15 -12:45: In-person Chinese Ribbon Dance Workshop, register here

2) 13:00 - 13:30: In-person Chinese Handkerchief Dance Workshop, register here

3) 13:45 - 14:15: In-person Chinese Dance with Tambourine, register here

Event 2: Chinese New Year Crafts Workshops and Concert at the University of Glasgow

Date/Time: Monday 30 January 2023, 17.45 - 20.00

Part 1: 17.45 - 18.45: Chinese crafts workshops

Venue: Room 201, McIntyre Building (adjacent to the Main Gate), University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ

Registration link

You are invited to a fun-packed workshop where you can have your name written in traditional Chinese calligraphy, learn Chinese painting with Chinese artists, or make bracelets with a Chinese knot; for the little ones, they can make 3D pandas and dragon with paper, create their own cherry blossom painting with ink, or to find out what luck is in hidden in those fortune cookies! For the brave ones, you can try the beautiful Chinese costumes and take some selfies for your Instagram updates.

After this workshop, please move to the University Chapel for some Chinese music on traditional Chinese instruments, dances and Yue opera.

Part 2: 19.00 - 20.00: Chinese concert

Venue: University Chapel, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ

Registration link

In this hour, a group of professional musicians, dancers and singers from China and Scotland will perform music on traditional instruments, can you recognise any of them? There will be a chance to ask the musicians some questions you may have, or even try the instruments after the concert. You will also have a chance to watch the incredible ribbon dance, and listen to the famour Yue opera 'picking up the jade bracelet' with full make up and costumes. 

There will also be a private viewing of a small exhibition by two well-known Chinese artists Ali Leigong and Lei Chuanyi in the Chapel.

The venue has limited space, please book your place soon.


First published: 11 January 2023