Chinees Nieuwjaar in Chinatown - Foto Jurjen Drenth, Den Haag Marketing 1

On Saturday 14 February, the national Chinese New Year celebrations will commence at the Atrium City Hall, marking the beginning of the Year of the Horse. The celebrations will feature colourful performances with dance, music and acrobatics by artists from China and artists from Chinese associations in the Netherlands. There will also be a Chinese cultural market with activities for young and old. And on Saturday 21 February, there will be a festive parade with Chinese lions and dragons in Chinatown The Hague.

Chinese New Year on 14 and 21 February in The Hague The Chinese New Year celebrations, also known as the National Spring Festival, will commence on Saturday 14 February at the Atrium City Hall. This is already the 24th edition of the national Chinese New Year celebration at this location. There will also be a Chinese cultural market with dance, music and activities related to Chinese art and culture in the Amare theatre, next to the town hall. And on Saturday 21 February, there will be a festive parade with Chinese lions and dragons in Chinatown The Hague, accompanied by Chinese fireworks. On this day, there will also be a Chinese cultural market in Amare with dance, music and activities for everyone.

Unique in The Hague
For the first time, the Chinese New Year celebrations in The Hague will be spread over two days. The national opening ceremony at the town hall and the closing parade in Chinatown The Hague mark the beginning and end of this Chinese New Year celebration. This makes the National Spring Festival unique to The Hague: the national celebration on Saturday 14 February and the local celebration on Saturday 21 February.

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Chinatown

Programme (subject to change)

Saturday 14 February

Atrium, The Hague City Hall

10:30 – Start of the Chinese cultural market
11:30 – Official opening ceremony with Chinese lion and dragon dances
(including the Mayor of The Hague and the Chinese Ambassador)
13:00 – Music, singing, dance and acrobatics by a Chinese artist group from China
14:00 – Music, singing, dance and acrobatics by artists from Chinese associations in the Netherlands, including The Hague
15:30 – End of programme

Amare Theatre Hall (next to City Hall)

11:00 – Start of the Chinese cultural market
13:00 – Music, singing, dance and acrobatics by artists from Chinese associations in the Netherlands, including The Hague
17:00 – End of programme

Saturday 21 February

Chinatown The Hague

13:00 – Festive parade with Chinese lions, dragons and fireworks through Chinatown The Hague
(starting point likely Rabbijn Maarssenplein)
17:30 – End of parade

Amare Theatre Hall (next to City Hall)

11:00 – Start of the Chinese cultural market
12:00 – Opening ceremony with Chinese lion and dragon dances
13:00 – Music, singing, dance and acrobatics by artists from Chinese associations in the Netherlands, including The Hague
17:00 – End of programme

History

According to lore, which is many centuries old, the celebration heralds the beginning of something new in which good fortune and prosperity play the leading role. Evil spirits are expelled and all good things return. To welcome the new year full of goodness, fireworks are set off, such as one hundred thousand bangers and dazzling ornamental fireworks.

The Chinese lion and dragon dance also plays an important role in this. The dragon is known to symbolise higher descent and power, while the lion symbolises good fortune and prosperity. Hence, Chinese New Year is always heralded festively with a colourful dragon and lion dance parade, accompanied by lots of decorative fireworks and, of course, a delicious Chinese banquet for family, friends and important relations.

Practical information

The Chinese New Year festival is free to all. Please note that streets in Chinatown are car-free all day. Coming by car? You can park in the Q-Park garage at Amsterdamse Veerkade or in the car park at Lutherse Burgwal 25.