Logo
Chinese New Year

Celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit

Rotterdam Chinees Nieuwjaar 2021 Foto Lennaert Ruinen 2
Sil Lamens
Written by Sil Lamens
Frontrunner

The Chinese New Year is upon us. Billions of Chinese celebrate the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit from the end of January.

There is also plenty to do in Rotterdam Centre. From January 23 to February 6 there is a dazzling programme full of parades, decorations, art and much more.

Project Zodiac

So it will be the Year of the Rabbit, but what exactly does that mean? According to Chinese astrology, it means at least to be a good year for people who were born in 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999 or 2011. It promises to be the year of hope.

Of course, not everyone believes that their fate is predicted by Chinese horoscopes, but for many people Chinese folklore still has a lot of value. More information about the story behind the Chinese New Year can be found here.

To honor the rabbit, there is a beautiful exhibition spread across the city. Dozens of gigantic rabbits will appear and various artists will give them a beautiful new look with the Project Zodiac. More information about this will be announced soon on the site of the Rotterdam Chinese New Year.

Rotterdam Chinees Nieuwjaar 2021 Foto Lennaert Ruinen 12
Project Zodiac during the Year of the Ox.

Flag Parade | Boompjeskade

From the beginning to the end of the celebration, there is a great flag parade every day that can be visited by everyone at the Boompjeskade. This will be festively opened on the 23rd at 15:00 with the lion dance.

Rotterdam Chinees Nieuwjaar 2021 Foto Lennaert Ruinen 2
Rotterdam Chinees Nieuwjaar 2021 Foto Lennaert Ruinen 15

Lion dance parades | West Kruiskade

There are more Lion Dance parades this year than just the one at the Boompjeskade. The area near the West-Kruiskade and the Westersingel, the Chinese heart of Rotterdam, will form the backdrop for phenomenal shows on 28 January.

Program (subject to change):

12:30pm – 1:00pm | Mauritsweg

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm | West-Kruiskade and 1e Middellandstraat

5:00 pm – 5:45 pm | Westersingel

Fireworks Show | Kop van Zuid

Deeply rooted in Chinese culture, even deeper than here, is fireworks. During the Chinese New Year, evil spirits must be expelled. This is done by dancing, but also by making a lot of noise. Fireworks can therefore not be forgotten during the Chinese New Year.

At the Kop van Zuid there will be a spectacular fireworks show on January 29 from 18.00. Everyone is welcome on the quay in front of Hotel New York.

Sil Lamens
Written by Sil Lamens
Frontrunner