Skip to content
We're closed for construction until March 2025. No orders can be taken at this time. Thanks for your understanding! We're closed for construction until March 2025. No orders can be taken at this time. Thanks for your understanding! We're closed for construction until March 2025. No orders can be taken at this time. Thanks for your understanding! We're closed for construction until March 2025. No orders can be taken at this time. Thanks for your understanding! We're closed for construction until March 2025. No orders can be taken at this time. Thanks for your understanding! We're closed for construction until March 2025. No orders can be taken at this time. Thanks for your understanding! We're closed for construction until March 2025. No orders can be taken at this time. Thanks for your understanding! We're closed for construction until March 2025. No orders can be taken at this time. Thanks for your understanding! We're closed for construction until March 2025. No orders can be taken at this time. Thanks for your understanding!
Celebrate Lunar New Year in Exeter with Fireworks, Food, and Festivities

Celebrate Lunar New Year in Exeter with Fireworks, Food, and Festivities

If you fancy a proper Lunar New Year bash with fireworks, traditional games, and enough tasty treats to see you into the next zodiac cycle, then head to the University of Exeter on Tuesday 4th of February.

With a packed programme of performances, cultural activities, and a firework display to finish things off, it’s set to be a brilliant way to mark the start of the Spring Festival.

A Festival Worth Wrapping Up For

There’s a lot going on throughout the day, so whether you’re into calligraphy, Mahjong, or just stuffing your face with dumplings, there’s something for everyone.

The festivities kick off in Forum Street from 12 to 2pm, where you can soak up the atmosphere of a bustling street festival, complete with pop-up food stalls serving Asian dishes. The menu hasn’t been revealed yet, but let’s be honest—if it involves noodles, crispy duck, or anything deep-fried, it’s going to be good.

Expect performances from K-Pop dancers and a Tingkling dance showcase, as well as a live set from Annabelle Lee, a talented local Chinese flutist.

If you’re feeling crafty, there are Chinese knotwork demonstrations and a paper-cutting station, perfect if you want to spruce up your home with some lucky red decorations. Speaking of red, make sure you wear something in that lucky colour—it’s a tradition, and given that the Wood Snake is meant to bring mystery and prosperity, you might as well hedge your bets.

Try Your Hand at Mahjong or Find Your Fortune

If you’ve never played Mahjong, now’s your chance. Described by Mahjong Society President Man Lam as "one of the best activities to play during the Lunar New Year," this tile-based game is fast-paced, strategic, and dangerously addictive. It’s also got that satisfying clacking sound as the tiles shuffle around, which somehow makes it all the more enjoyable.

For those who prefer something more snack-based, the Malaysian Society is offering kuih kapit, tarts, and sweets, while the Indonesian Society is tempting visitors with bakwan, piscok, and jelly treats. If that wasn’t enough, they’re also offering a chance to find out what your fortune holds for the year ahead.

Celebrate Lunar New Year With Fireworks

The grand finale of the celebrations is, of course, the fireworks display at 6:45pm at the rear of the XFI Building. Nothing quite says “Happy Lunar New Year” like a sky full of dazzling explosions, and this is the perfect way to round off the day’s events.

If you’re planning to drive, bear in mind that parking on campus is limited before 6pm, so public transport is your best bet for the street festival. However, parking is free after 6pm, so if you’re just coming for the fireworks, you’ll have an easier time finding a space. There will be some pedestrian restrictions around East Park, Rennes Drive, and XFI from 6:30 to 7pm, so allow a little extra time if you want to grab a prime viewing spot.

Making a Night of It – Where to Eat and Drink in Exeter

Once the fireworks are over, you might fancy a bite to eat or a drink to toast the Lunar New Year. Luckily, Exeter has plenty of options to keep the celebrations going.

For those who want to stick with the theme, Tyepyedong is a great choice for Chinese and pan-Asian food, serving up excellent noodles, dumplings, and stir-fries. If you’re after something more casual, Steaks ‘n’ Sushi offers exactly what the name suggests, with a mix of sushi platters and grilled meats.

If a drink is in order, The Turk’s Head is a solid choice for a post-fireworks pint, while Dr Inks Curiosities is the place to go if you fancy a more theatrical cocktail experience—because why not celebrate the New Year with a flaming drink or something that smokes mysteriously?

A Celebration of Culture, Community, and Good Food

This event isn’t just about fireworks and fun (although there’s plenty of that). It’s a chance to learn about and experience a festival celebrated by over two billion people worldwide. With student societies from across Asia—including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and China—coming together to host the celebrations, it’s a brilliant way to immerse yourself in different cultures, traditions, and most importantly, their food.

Whether you’re going for the games, the performances, or just the excuse to eat your body weight in snacks, Exeter’s Spring Festival 2025 is shaping up to be a fantastic way to welcome in the Year of the Wood Snake.

Lunar New Year Traditions You Can Try at Home

If you can’t make it to the event but still want to get involved in the celebrations, there are plenty of simple Lunar New Year traditions to try at home.

Start by giving your house a deep clean—in Chinese tradition, this sweeps away bad luck from the past year and makes room for good fortune in the new one. Just don’t do any cleaning on New Year’s Day itself, or you’ll be sweeping away all the good luck you’ve just welcomed in.

Eating symbolic foods is another way to mark the occasion. Dumplings represent wealth and prosperity, noodles symbolise long life, and tangerines bring good fortune—so if you fancy an excuse to order a Chinese takeaway, this is it.

If you want to share the good luck, consider giving red envelopes (hongbao) to friends and family. Traditionally, they contain money, but modern versions can include small gifts, lottery tickets, or even just a heartfelt message of good wishes for the year ahead.

And of course, if you’re looking for more fun facts and traditions, check out our article "Chinese New Year Facts That Will Blow Your Mind" for everything you didn’t know about the biggest celebration in the world.

 

Love Fireworks?

Sign up to our monthly newsletter to keep up-to-date on all the latest arrivals, explosive news and special offers from Epic Fireworks.

Thank you for subscribing! Keep an eye on your inbox for all of the latest updates and news from the Epic Team.
Previous article Firework Champions 2025: Stanford Hall – An Explosive Night in the Countryside
Next article Five of the Most Unusual Places to Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Fireworks