Hi, I’m Yumeka. This year was my first time celebrating Chinese New Year in the UK. Even though there’s no public holiday here, and for many local people it’s just another ordinary day. For me, and many other Chinese students, it was something really special.
The weather was surprisingly good for February, with clear blue skies and sunshine that made the whole day feel uplifting.
I didn’t expect that even in the UK, I could still feel such a strong sense of Chinese New Year: warmth, colour, family, and celebration.
In my family, the one thing we can never miss on New Year’s Eve is the dumplings my mum makes by hand. That taste always means “home” to me.
Luckily, the Asian supermarket nearby was having a promotion, so I bought a pack of dumplings and cooked them at home. Even celebrating alone, I wanted to keep a small sense of ritual for myself, so sitting down with a bowl of warm dumplings felt comforting and familiar.
I also called my parents in the morning. They were all together, chatting and laughing, while I was on the screen smiling at them from Newcastle.
At that moment, I felt both a little homesick and incredibly grateful for having this connection despite the distance.
In the evening, I met up with friends who were also staying in Newcastle.
Instead of spending the night alone, we decided to cook hotpot at home. It wasn’t as lively or fancy as eating at a restaurant, but there was something comforting about gathering around the table with my friends, putting ingredients into the pot, talking and laughing together.
The warmth of being with others made the night feel festive.
Over the weekend, I went to watch Newcastle’s Chinese New Year celebrations, and it was grander and more vibrant than I had imagined!
The event kicked off near Grey’s Monument with a special eye-dotting ceremony for the dragon, a traditional act to “awaken” the dragon for the parade.
Soon after, the Chinese New Year parade began, winding down Blackett Street and into Chinatown at Stowell Street in the heart of the city centre.
There were colourful dragon and lion dances, traditional performances, martial arts demonstrations, and rhythmic drumming that filled the streets with energy.
It felt like the whole city had come alive with colour and sound, and despite being far from home, I felt connected to the tradition and joy in a very real way.
The mix of cultures was something I didn’t expect.
I met people from different backgrounds smiling, waving, trying Chinese foods, and taking photos with the dragon and lion performers.
It wasn’t just a celebration for the Chinese community, it was a vibrant cultural experience open to everyone, which made the whole atmosphere even richer.
Spending my first Spring Festival abroad, there was a little homesickness, but also a different kind of warmth I had never experienced before.
I felt proud to share a part of my culture with new friends, and it reminded me that home is not just a place; it’s a feeling you carry with you.
This is a New Year I know I will remember for a very long time.