Students across the United Kingdom have celebrated Lunar New Year with cultural performances, traditional food and community gatherings, even as universities review their diversity, equity and inclusion policies to ensure compliance with updated regulatory guidance.

Campus societies in cities including London, Manchester and Edinburgh organised events marking the start of the Year of the Dragon, drawing large crowds of students from East Asian backgrounds and the wider university community.

Activities ranged from lion dances and calligraphy workshops to panel discussions on cultural heritage, reflecting a long-standing tradition of student-led multicultural engagement.

The celebrations took place as higher education institutions assess how to align existing diversity frameworks with evolving government expectations around equality law, free speech obligations and institutional neutrality.

Universities have in recent months examined internal guidance, funding allocations and training programmes to ensure compliance with legal standards while maintaining support for cultural and community events.

Student representatives said Lunar New Year activities were organised independently by societies and cultural associations, and emphasised that such celebrations are rooted in community tradition rather than formal policy initiatives.

University administrators confirmed that cultural observances remain an important part of campus life, provided they operate within legal and regulatory requirements.

The broader policy environment has prompted some institutions to review the language and structure of diversity offices, as regulators stress that equality initiatives must adhere to statutory duties and avoid discrimination on protected characteristics.

University leaders say the objective is to ensure fairness, inclusivity and lawful governance without limiting student expression or cultural celebration.

Participants at Lunar New Year events described the gatherings as a reminder of the UK’s diverse academic community and the value of cross-cultural exchange.

Despite ongoing institutional reviews, attendance appeared robust, underscoring continued student appetite for shared cultural experiences on campus.