Chinese New Year Emcee Script

How to customise this Chinese New Year emcee script

Start with the approved event programme rather than copying every optional segment. Add the event date, venue, host organisation, guest names and exact job titles. Confirm who gives the welcome, whether there is a lion dance, whether a yusheng toss is planned and how guests will be released for food. Mark every technical cue in bold on the emcee's working copy, but do not read those cues aloud.

Ask each person how their name should be pronounced. If the emcee will use Mandarin, Cantonese or another language, have a fluent reviewer approve the phrase and practise it with the host. A short, accurately delivered greeting is better than an elaborate phrase used uncertainly. Keep a phonetic note on the private run sheet rather than publishing it as authoritative guidance.

Before guests arrive: production notes

• Thirty minutes before: test the lectern microphone, handheld backup, walk-in music and presentation deck.
• Twenty minutes before: confirm the arrival status of speakers and performers with the stage manager.
• Fifteen minutes before: check the order and safe standing positions for any ceremonial activity.
• Five minutes before: ask the room team to guide guests to their places and give the emcee a final timing signal.

Agree on simple hand signals: proceed, extend, shorten and stop. The emcee should know who can authorise a programme change. Keep water, a printed running order and an offline copy of the script at the lectern. Names and confidential contact details should appear only on the production copy.

Opening announcement: five minutes before start

EMCEE: Good [morning/afternoon/evening], everyone. Our programme will begin in about five minutes. Please make yourselves comfortable and set mobile phones to silent mode. [If applicable: The nearest exits are located at ________.] Thank you.

PRODUCTION CUE: Play approved background music at low level. Confirm the opening speaker is ready.

Welcome and acknowledgement

EMCEE: Good [morning/afternoon/evening], and welcome to [organisation]'s Chinese New Year celebration. My name is [emcee name], and I will be your host today. We are glad to have colleagues, partners and guests with us as we gather for conversation, appreciation and a festive start to the new year.

EMCEE: Chinese New Year is observed in many different ways across families and communities. Today's programme reflects the activities selected by our organising team. Whether you celebrate the festival or are joining to learn and spend time with colleagues, we hope you feel welcome.

EMCEE: Before we begin, a quick note: [state access, photography, safety or housekeeping information]. If you prefer not to appear in photographs, please [give the approved process].

Introducing the welcome speaker

EMCEE: To open our programme, please welcome [full name], [confirmed title], who will share a few words. [Name], the stage is yours.

PRODUCTION CUE: Applause; bring up lectern microphone. After the remarks, wait until the speaker has cleared the stage.

EMCEE: Thank you, [name], for those thoughtful words and for welcoming everyone today.

Transition to a cultural performance

EMCEE: We will now move to [name of performance]. This presentation has been arranged by [team or performer name]. Please keep the performance area clear and follow any instructions from the venue team.

PRODUCTION CUE: Check performers are in position. Start the approved track only on the stage manager's signal.

EMCEE, AFTER PERFORMANCE: Thank you to [performer or group] for sharing that performance with us. Let us show our appreciation once more.

Do not improvise claims about a performance's origin or meaning. Use the description supplied and approved by the performer or cultural adviser. If a lion dance is included, confirm safe distances, noise notices, accessibility arrangements and the exact route in advance.

Optional yusheng or lo hei segment

EMCEE: We are now ready for our yusheng segment. Table representatives, please take your places as directed by the event team. You will find the ingredients and utensils prepared at each participating table.

EMCEE: Our facilitator will introduce the ingredients and guide the sequence. Please follow the hygiene and safety instructions, keep the toss within the prepared area and participate only if you wish. You are welcome to observe.

PRODUCTION CUE: Hand over to the approved facilitator. Do not rush the ingredient explanations. Ensure service staff are clear before inviting a toss.

EMCEE, AFTER SEGMENT: Thank you, everyone. Please allow the team a moment to clear and reset the area.

If the organisation wants auspicious phrases, place the reviewed wording in the facilitator's script. Do not describe the phrases as guarantees. The emcee should avoid pressuring anyone to participate and should never turn food handling into an unsafe competition.

Optional game, quiz or audience activity

EMCEE: Next, we have a short [quiz/game/activity] prepared by [team]. Participation is optional. To join, [give concise instructions]. We will play for approximately [duration], and the activity will end when [clear rule].

EMCEE: Please keep walkways clear, and avoid sharing personal information in your answers. If you need assistance, signal to one of our event colleagues.

PRODUCTION CUE: Display rules. Confirm prizes and tie-break procedure. Never invent a winner or change eligibility from the approved terms.

EMCEE, AFTER ACTIVITY: Thank you to everyone who joined in. Congratulations to [verified winner or team]. [Explain the approved prize collection step.]

Meal or networking transition

EMCEE: We will now break for [lunch/dinner/refreshments/networking]. The event team will invite tables or groups in this order: [release plan]. Please let guests who need assistance move first, and check the dietary labels displayed at the service area. For ingredient or allergy questions, speak directly with the designated venue representative.

EMCEE: We will resume at [exact time]. Please be back in your places a few minutes beforehand.

The emcee should not make unverified claims about allergens, preparation methods or dietary suitability. Point guests to the responsible venue contact and the labels approved for the event.

Lucky draw script with clear controls

EMCEE: It is time for the lucky draw. Eligibility and draw rules were shared in [location]. We will draw [number] entries using [approved method]. A selected participant must [approved verification step], and [state redraw rule] if the requirement is not met.

PRODUCTION CUE: Confirm the draw operator and witness are ready. Record results according to the organiser's process.

EMCEE: Our selected entry is [number/name as permitted]. Please [collection instruction]. Congratulations, and thank you to everyone who took part.

Read only the personal information approved for announcement. If the draw system pauses, say that verification is in progress rather than guessing at the result. Terms should be settled before the event, not improvised on stage.

Handling delays and programme changes

SHORT DELAY: Thank you for your patience. Our team is completing the next setup, and we will continue shortly. Please remain comfortable.

SEGMENT REMOVED: There has been a small change to our running order. We will move directly to [next confirmed segment]. Thank you for your understanding.

SPEAKER NOT READY: We will adjust the sequence and return to [speaker/segment] later, if time permits. For now, please welcome [confirmed next item].

TECHNICAL INTERRUPTION: We are resolving a technical issue. We will pause briefly and continue when the production team gives the signal.

A holding line should be factual and brief. Do not blame a person, reveal private operational details or repeatedly promise an exact restart time unless production has confirmed it.

Closing remarks and farewell

EMCEE: As our programme comes to a close, thank you to our speakers, performers, organising colleagues and venue team. Most importantly, thank you to all of you for being part of today's gathering.

EMCEE: [Give confirmed transport, collection, feedback or exit information.] On behalf of [organisation], I wish everyone a safe journey home and a meaningful festive season. Thank you, and good [day/evening].

Final rehearsal checklist

• Every placeholder has been replaced or deliberately removed.
• Names, titles, greetings and cultural descriptions have been reviewed.
• The run sheet matches the latest approved programme and venue timing.
• Music, slides, microphones and backup files have named owners.
• Photography, accessibility, dietary and safety notices are accurate.
• Games and draws have approved rules, eligibility and result handling.
• The emcee has short delay lines and knows who approves changes.
• The closing announcement includes only confirmed departure details.

Read the full script aloud during rehearsal. Spoken timing is usually longer than silent reading, especially when applause, movement and interpretation are included. Cut repeated welcomes before cutting safety or access information. Print a version with large type, page numbers and generous spacing so the emcee can recover quickly after an unscripted instruction.