Come and enjoy Maidstone’s Lunar New Year 2024 celebrations as the dotting of the eyes ceremony awakens the dazzling Chinese Lions who will then playfully prowl the town centre on Saturday 3 February.

Hear authentic sounds from the SOAS musical ensemble playing traditional silk and bamboo music of the Shanghai tea houses along with beautiful music from the Chinese Opera. Then watch the stunning Sichuan changing face and ribbon dance puppets who will be entertaining the crowds, all completely free of charge.

The programme in and around Jubilee Square in the town centre will run between 12pm and 2.30pm as we celebrate the Year of the Dragon.

In addition as part of the Celebrations, come and enjoy free dragon crafts at Lockmeadow Entertainment Centre from 12.30pm and watch the amazing Chinese Lions dancing at 2.30pm.

Maidstone Borough Council is working with Cohesion Plus and Maidstone Cultural Group to bring these colourful, energetic Lunar New Year celebrations to the town centre.

Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL from Cohesion Plus is producing the event, he said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership to once again celebrate the Lunar New Year with the diverse communities of Maidstone. It is a wonderful thing to be able to celebrate traditions and events from around the world to acknowledge the fact that we live in a diverse and vibrant borough.”

Cllr Claudine Russell, Lead Member for Leisure and Arts at MBC said: “The Lunar New Year celebrations are the first free town centre event we have planned for this year, they are so vibrant and bring the town to life. Put the date in your diaries and come along and enjoy the fun, it’s all free too.”