What Not to Miss at Dublin's Chinese New Year Festival

Here in Dublin, festivities celebrating the internationally observed holiday will kick off Friday, February 1 and will carry on through February 17 as supported by The Dublin Chinese New Year Festival (DCNYF). 

Now in its 12th year, the 2019 DCNYF rings in The Year of the Pig with a myriad of festivities.

If you don't know where to begin celebrating, look no further. Here are 10 activities not to miss during this Lunar New Year in Dublin:

1. Dumpling Day - Asia Market, 18 Drury Street, Dublin 2
   What:
   Celebrate the Chinese New Year tradition of making your very own dumplings during Asia Market’s day-long demo. Learn how to wrap and make traditional savoury dumplings, and taste the ready-made Kimchi filled dumplings from Korea, Chicken and  Vegetable Gyoza from Japan, Pork and Chinese Chive dumplings from China and more.
   When:
   Friday, Feb. 1, 11:00 - 18:00
   Cost:
   Free
   
   
2. Chinese New Year Food Extravaganza - Asia Market, 18 Drury Street, Dublin 2
   What:
   Explore a wide range of authentic Asian food at Asia Market, where there will be more than 15 stands representing delicious, traditional cuisine from China, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea and many more.
   When:
   Saturday, Feb. 2 and Sunday, Feb. 3, 11:00 - 17:00
   Cost:
   Free
   
   
3.  Chinese Tea Ceremony - National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square W, Dublin 2
   What:
   Experience a traditional tea ceremony, led by a certified tea expert whose narration will delve into the art and history of China’s long-standing tea culture. The ceremony celebrates one of the culture’s most intricate and significant practices and will be performed in traditional clothing and accompanied by traditional musicians.
   When:
   Thursday, Feb. 14, 18:00 - 19:30
   Cost:
   €10 / Tickets can be booked here
   
   
4. Cocktail Evening with Chinnery Gin - The Big Romance, 98 Parnell Street, Dublin 1
   What:
   Renowned artist George Chinnery began his career in portrait-painting in Georgian-era Dublin before settling in Canton, China, now known as Guangzhou. Chinnery gin, inspired by the artist and his travels, is made with osmanthus flower, oolong tea and cassia bark. Celebrate Chinese New Year with a cocktail evening featuring drinks made especially for the occasion with Chinnery gin, evoking the flavours of Canton and the Old China Trade.
   When:
   Wednesday, Feb. 13, 18:30 - 20:00
   Cost:
   €12.50 /  includes two Chinnery cocktails and a guided gin tasting with Chinnery Spirits distiller – and former Canton resident – David Havelin. Tickets can be booked here.
   
   
5. Shop & Cook with Kwanghi Chan - Asia Market, 18 Drury Street, Dublin 2
   What:
   Join celebrated TV Chef Kwanghi Chan, who has served as the head chef at the five star Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore, as he presents some of his favourite ingredients and guides you through the cooking process of three authentic Asian tapas, while you sit and sip Chinese tea.
   When:
   Thursday, Feb. 7, 18:00 - 19:30
   Cost:
   €20 / Tickets can be booked here.

6. Spring Festival Fair - Custom House Quay, Dublin 1
   What:
   The popular Spring Festival Fair returns to The chq Building for two days of free, family-friendly fun. Inspired by Chinese temple fairs, called ‘Miaohui’, the event combines performances, workshops, storytelling with Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin, screenings, demonstrations and games, plus tasty food stalls and special appearances by international visitors.
   When:
   Saturday, Feb. 9 11:00 - 18:00, and Sunday, Feb. 10, 11:00 - 17:00
   Cost:
   Free
   
   

7. Screening: Dead Pigs (2018) - Savoy Cinema, O’Connell Street, Dublin 1
   What:
   Witness the Irish premiere of Dead Pigs, the Sundance award-winning feature film debut from Chinese-American screenwriter, director and producer Cathy Yan. A mosaic-like multicultural comedy, Dead Pigs follows a bumbling pig farmer, a feisty salon owner, a sensitive busboy, an expat architect and a disenchanted rich girl as their lives converge and collide, linked by a mysterious porcine epidemic that’s led to dead pigs drifting towards a rapidly-modernizing Shanghai.
   When:
   Sunday, Feb. 17, 16:30
   Cost:
   €10

8. Chinese Square Dancing - Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
   What:
   Back by popular demand, DCNYF will stage a special edition of Guangchang Wu, a form of square dancing deeply rooted in ancient Chinese history.
   When:
   Sunday, Feb. 3, 14:00 - 16:00
   Cost:
   Free
9. Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tours in Mandarin - Teeling Whiskey Distillery, 13-17 Newmarket, Merchants Quay, Dublin 8
   What:
   Take a fully guided tour of the Teeling Whiskey Distillery in Mandarin, followed by a tasting of the award-winning whiskey and a Teeling Irish Coffee.
   When:
   Saturday, Feb. 2, 12:00 and Saturday, Feb. 9 12:00
   Cost:
   €28 / Ticket includes the tour, whiskey tasting & Irish coffee, can be booked here.
   
   
10. Xuefei and GuitaRIAM - Freemasons’ Hall, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2
    What:
    Watch internationally-renowned Xuefei Yang play the first of two concerts this season, as she rings in the Year of the Pig with the vibrant 20-song GuitaRIAM, directed by Marian Hyland in a programme that celebrates the richness of her instrument, her home country and music from Ireland.

    Born following the Cultural Revolution, Xeufei was the first guitarist in China to enter a music school and the first to launch an international performing career. Her international success has led her to be invited to play in more than 50 countries at numerous prestigious venues with the world’s leading orchestras.
    When:
    Sunday, Feb. 17, 15:00 - 16:15
    Cost:
    €10 - €20 / Tickets can be booked here.