The largest Chinese New Year celebration in Yorkshire returned, as thousands of people gathered to celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse.

Sheffield’s city centre was transformed with rows of red lanterns and gold bunting, as crowds filled the streets to enjoy one of the city’s biggest cultural events.

The annual event was first started in 2004 by Jerry Cheung, Mr Cheung said: “This weekend is the heartbeat of the festival.

“It is about bringing the whole city together and sharing culture in the open air.

“To see it grow into the largest Lunar New Year celebration in Yorkshire is something Sheffield can be proud of.”

Virginia Chu, a volunteer from Sheffield Chinese Christian Church shared Mr Cheung’s sense of pride.

She said: “It’s really good to have the chance to tell people more about our customs and show them our happiness.”

Over two exciting days, there was a packed programme featuring 187 performers, including martial arts demonstrations, arts and crafts workshops and traditional dancing.

World champion lion dancers, a traditional dance form, travelled all the way from China to perform.

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is one of the most important celebrations in Chinese culture.

The festival is celebrated across China and in communities around the world, marking the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunar calendar.

For many people attending, the event represented not only a celebration of Chinese heritage but also Sheffield’s growing multicultural identity.

According to data from the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, 13.6% of the local population in Sheffield were born outside the UK.

“I really appreciate the international cultural integration, not only did Sheffield celebrate Christmas markets but now they are celebrating Chinese New Year,” said Chris Yung, an attendee of the event.

The festival, rooted in Chinese and broader East Asian traditions, has been showcasing the diversity and the community spirit of Sheffield for more than two decades.