Jan / Feb
Chinese New Year Workshops for Schools
Lunar New Year and the zodiac.
Chinese New Year marks the start of the lunar calendar and is one of the most significant celebrations in Chinese culture, welcomed with family gatherings, lanterns and a new zodiac animal each year. Our workshop brings the story, traditions and celebration into your classroom.
3 sessions to choose from
Choose your session
Book a single workshop for your class or schedule the complete multi-day school experience.
45–60 minutes per classChinese Dragon DanceStep into the vibrant traditions of Chinese culture with our exhilarating Chinese Dragon Dance workshop.EYFS to KS2See the session
60–90 minutes per classChinese Plate PaintingEach child has the opportunity to create their own unique design.KS1 to KS2See the session
60 minutes per classAncient China in VRDiscover the twelve animals of the Zodiac and the story of the Great Race.KS2See the session
What pupils will learn
- The story behind Chinese New Year and the lunar calendar
- The meaning of the Chinese zodiac and which animal is being welcomed this year
- Key traditions: red envelopes, lanterns, dragon dances, family reunion meals
- How Chinese New Year is celebrated in the UK's Chinese communities today
What's included
Jan / Feb
- Storytelling session on the origins of the festival and this year's zodiac animal
- Fully interactive and immersive plate painting
- Be captivated by the Dragon Dance
- Take home plates which can also be a school fundraiser
What it costs
Our costs vary depending on the type of workshop you choose. Virtual Reality and Art sessions are more expensive due to the equipment and materials needed to run the sessions. Prices exclude VAT.
Half day
£449–£549
Full day
£599–£749
Travel — £30
A flat charge, added once.
Art materials — Per child
Charged only on activities that use them.
Damage waiver — £34
Optional — take it or leave it.
We invoice the school 30 days before the workshop date, and changes — an extra class, the damage waiver — can still be made in the run-up to it.
Get an exact quoteKey dates
Jan / Feb
Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar and typically falls in late January or February. The zodiac animal changes every year — we'll confirm both when you book.
Reviews for our workshop team
Schools keep asking us back
“A great workshop. Fantastic resources and Chris was great with the children. They were engaged throughout and talked about it for ages afterwards. This is the third time we have used them and they never disappoint!”
Julie Gill “Fantastic workshops for primary school children - the facilitators Emma for African drumming and Naomi for dance workshops were friendly, skilled and provided a very enjoyable experience for the children. Thank you!”
Aleksandra Dass “We have had a number of experiences from the Education Group and are always impressed by the quality of the workshops. We return to them time after time because we know that the planning, content and age-appropriateness of their sessions are absolutely right for the children.”
Kate Baguley “Our infant school aged pupils enjoyed the Maypole experience and were amazed to see the maypole in the middle of their playground. The teacher was fantastic with our young children and we all managed to come away from our sessions feeling we had learnt something rather wonderful!”
St Peter's “Highly recommend the African mask workshop! It's one of the highlights of the Year 5 calendar. Well worth every penny”
Joanne Netto “What a great experience for the children! Ivan was amazing at keeping their interest and making the drumming session as active and exciting as possible.”
Demelza Jones
Questions schools ask
Does the date change every year?
Yes, it follows the lunar calendar, so it shifts each year — we'll confirm the current date when scheduling.
What if this year's zodiac animal isn't decided yet in your materials?
We update our materials every year, so pupils always learn about the current zodiac animal.
Is there a performance element?
An optional dragon dance demonstration can be added depending on availability.
Is this suitable for all key stages?
Yes, adapted from simple storytelling at EYFS/KS1 to more detailed cultural and historical discussion at KS2.
Lunar New Year and the zodiac.
Curriculum-linked cultural workshops and assemblies for primary schools in England and Wales.