DAWN OF THE YEAR OF THE RAT: WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

The Grand Parade

• 4pm, January 17

• City Walk

• Highlights: Enormous dragons, acrobatic performers, school groups, Chinese expatriates, marching band from the Dubai Police, symphony orchestra, lion dances, acrobatics and Kung Fu Lion Dance competition

• 2pm, January 18

• Dubai Parks and Resorts

• Highlights: 30 teams from China competing for the title of the ‘Lion King’. The lion dance is said to bring good luck and fortune to those who practise and watch it. Performances mimic a lion’s movements.

The China Box

• January 16 to February 8

• City Walk

• Highlights: Pop-up exhibition to showcase Chinese New Yearthemed arts and crafts, music performances from Beijing, Suzhou and Chengdu, as well as interactive performances

and surprise giveaways.

Kite Festival

• 8.30am, January 18

• Kite Beach

• Highlights: Open to all, the local community can participate in kite making and traditional kite-flying activities. Chef’s Competition

• January 19

• Nikki Beach

• Highlights: Top master chefs from China and revered UAEbased chefs go head-to-head in front of a live audience Miss Tumbler

• 5pm, January 27 to 29

• Dubai Parks and Resorts

• Highlights: Performing for the first time in Dubai, China’s famous TikTok influencer, Feng Jia Chen will put on a unique performance, rotating on a giant sphere, gracefully and seemingly effortlessly defying gravity all the while dressed as a Tang dynasty princess