Chinese New Year 2026

Welcome to the Lancaster Grand Theatre for the fifth edition of our Culture Variety Show — a beloved highlight in the city's calendar and, this year, our most exhilarating yet. Over one glittering evening we bring together masters of tradition and rising young talents, weaving a programme that sparkles with colour, rhythm and heart.

Feel the pulse as Shaolin kung fu masters command the stage with lightning precision, blending discipline, strength and breathtaking speed. In exquisite contrast, fifth-generation Kunqu successor Chloe Sun leads us into the refined world of China's oldest opera tradition, where poetic gesture, silk-sleeved grace and crystalline vocals meet centuries of storytelling.
Our Youth Chinese Orchestra adds a lush, cinematic sweep to the night — the shimmering voices of erhu and pipa, the warmth of bamboo flutes, and festival drums that lift the roof. They are joined by professional dancers who travel from classical elegance to contemporary flair in a heartbeat, and by powerhouse singers whose voices carry melodies that are both deeply rooted and gloriously new.
Because it's our fifth year, we're celebrating by leaning further into what audiences love: more tradition, more surprise, more togetherness. Expect new arrangements, beautiful costumes and staging that brings you closer to the action — from the whisper of a solo aria to the thunder of a full ensemble finale.
Whether you're discovering these art forms for the first time or returning for your annual fix of inspiration, thank you for being part of the story. Tonight is a tribute to heritage, craft and community — and to you, the audience, whose enthusiasm has brought us to this milestone. Take your seats, silence your phones, and let the celebration begin.