In Rotterdam, Chinese New Year is typically heralded with all kinds of activities in the city centre. Expect the awakening of the lion, fireworks, culinary tours, Chinese calligraphy, face painting, delicious food stands and traditional dances.
Chinese New Year (also referred to as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival) marks the start of a new year on the Chinese calendar. Contrary to Western New Year (based on the Gregorian calendar), Chinese Year is observed when the new moon appears between 21 January and 20 February and ends with a Lantern Festival on the 15th day of that year.
Celebrate Chinese New Year in Rotterdam
In Rotterdam, Chinese New Year celebrations are always on a Saturday. In 2020, that's on Saturday, February 1st.
There's a march from 12:30 to 13:00 along the Mauritsweg. The official awakening of the Lion is at 13:30. Afterwards, the parade kicks off along West-Kruiskade and Westersingel, from 15:00 to 18:00. The parade is the spectacle of the Chinese New Year and is quite crowded.
The lion dance will be performed by the Dutch Wushu Academy Xia Quan.
The parade will pass by various local businesses. Traditionally, the participating local businesses will hang a head of lettuce in front of the door, so that Nian the monster will eat this lettuce instead of the residents of the building. Fireworks will also be lit in front of the doors of these local businesses, because this will chase away the monster.
Chinese New Year in Rotterdam 📷 https://rcny.nlWhat to do at Rotterdam Chinese New Year?
For visitors to the event, there is plenty to do and Chinese culture to be experienced in Wijkpark Oude Westen. You can have your name translated and written in traditional Chinese calligraphy (and take it home with you). You can also get something tasty at the various food stands.
Moreover, there are culinary tours, there's dancing, kids can get their faces painted and to top it all off, the celebration ends with a professional fireworks display.
For more information, visit the official Rotterdam Chinese New Year website.
