Celebrating Culture, Community, and Partnership at the 2026 Chinese New Year Dragons, Unicorns & Lions Dance Festival

The 2026 Chinese New Year Dragons, Unicorns & Lions Dance Festival, held on 25 January 2026 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), marked a vibrant and meaningful celebration of cultural heritage, community participation, and intergenerational engagement. Organised by The United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCA KK), the festival brought together community leaders, cultural organisations, invited sponsors, partners, and members of the public in a shared celebration of the Lunar New Year.

The full-day programme incorporated a Cultural Village Exhibition, Children’s Colouring Contest, and Chinese Calligraphy activities, reflecting a thoughtfully curated approach to engaging families, youth, and cultural practitioners. These complementary activities reinforced the role of cultural traditions as living platforms for education, creativity, and community bonding.

A key highlight of the event was the dragons, unicorns, and lions dance performances, which drew strong public attendance and showcased the richness and diversity of Chinese cultural expressions. Beyond their festive appeal, the performances underscored the importance of preserving traditional arts through sustained community participation and institutional support.

The festival’s official opening ceremony featured the traditional ribbon-cutting and joint drum-beating ceremony, symbolising unity, renewal, and collective goodwill for the year ahead. Adjunct Professor Jessie Jong Chung Jin, ASDK, was invited as one of the supporting sponsors and participated in the opening proceedings alongside community leaders and partners, reflecting her ongoing engagement in initiatives that strengthen cultural continuity and community development in Sabah.

The event was officiated by a representative of YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Bin Haji Noor, Chief Minister of Sabah, reflecting continued state-level recognition of community-driven cultural initiatives. Leadership from the organising association, under the stewardship of Datuk Susan Wong, President of USCCA KK, was clearly evident throughout the programme, particularly in the strong coordination, inclusiveness, and professionalism demonstrated by the organising committee.

Overall, the festival stood as a testament to what can be achieved through thoughtful planning, dedicated volunteerism, and effective collaboration between civic organisations, cultural practitioners, sponsors, and institutional partners. Such platforms not only preserve cultural heritage but also strengthen social cohesion and create meaningful opportunities for community participation.

Congratulations to USCCA KK, Datuk Susan Wong, the organising committee, and all partners and volunteers for delivering a well-executed and impactful festival. The successful staging of this event provides a strong foundation for future editions, building on shared values of heritage, partnership, and forward-looking community collaboration.