Free Lunar New Year event takes place at Rushcliffe Arena on Saturday February 21
Last updated: 26/1/2026
Residents are invited to celebrate Lunar New Year at Rushcliffe Arena on Saturday February 21, from 11am to 4pm, with a full day of themed games, activities and entertainment for all ages.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s (RBC) free celebratory event will take place at the leisure centre on Rugby Road, West Bridgford NG2 7HY, beginning with a special lion dance performance. Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy a programme of dance with K-pop dancers and traditional music performances with Two String Instruments.
Fun workshops and activities inspired by Lunar New Year traditions will include red banner writing and drawing, handheld pinwheel making, sweet dumpling making, free themed face painting, Mahjong and other games. There will also be a Wishing Tree where event goers can hang a wish, symbolising good fortune.
There will also be a variety of free exhibitions, including a cross-cultural art project by Nottingham Trent University students on exploring identity, place, and what it means to live well.
Visitors can explore a range of stalls offering nail art, handcrafted crochet, cherry pastel drawing, resin handicrafts, jewellery, books, stationary and more.
Rushcliffe Arena’s inflatable obstacle course X-Treme Air in Studio 3 will also be free for all children. Socks must be worn at all times.
Food and drink stalls will include Hitwrap, serving Hong Kong-style street food, My Cup of HK Tea, HEA Bakery, Brockleby's Pies and Asiana Supermarket.
Local services, sports clubs and community groups such as Nottingham Rugby, RBC, Nottinghamshire Police, Lex Leisure and Edwalton Golf will also be available to chat to event goers.
RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Transformation, Leisure and Wellbeing Cllr Jonathan Wheeler said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating Lunar New Year and marking the Year of the Horse, and everyone is invited to join us for this wonderful event.
“Come along for a fantastic day out and enjoy a wide range of free themed activities, from traditional red banner making to sweet dumpling making and much more.
“We’ll be opening the event with an exciting lion dance performance, followed by a full programme of dance and traditional music throughout the day.
“Our local partners will also be on hand to share important information and support for the community.
“Thank you to Hong Kong Notts for supporting this event over the past few years and for joining us as event sponsors this year.
“This is an event not to miss, so join us at Rushcliffe Arena on Saturday 21 February and be part of the celebrations.”
Hong Kong Notts Co-Founder and Project Lead Christy Tang added: “We are delighted to collaborate with Rushcliffe Borough Council for the Celebratory Lunar New Year event, now in its third year.
“We’re excited to celebrate this New Year according to the Lunar Calendar, marking the start of spring and welcoming the Year of the Horse, a zodiac which symbolises freedom, vitality and independence.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone and hope to see you there.”
Limited free car parking is available on site at Rushcliffe Arena. The venue is accessible by bus, with several Nottingham City Transport routes stopping directly outside the Arena, including routes 8, 10, 10X, 9, 9B and 10C.
This event is supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, allocated through the East Midlands Combined County Authority.
For all the latest, visit our Lunar New Year event page.