The best: Chinese New Year events around Manchester

Part of Ducie Street Warehouse’s extensive Chinese New Year schedule, Drink N Draw invites visitors to grab a pen and enjoy a casual doodle using materials and techniques developed by Chinese artisans, with a full bar available and Apple Tree Collective spinning the best underground electronic music throughout.

Kickstarting the Lunar New Year weekend with a night of jungle, grime and drum and bass, Jungle Wubz return to Gorilla for a unique ‘Year of the Wubz’ instalment with Jappa, Lupo, Wize and more on the bill.

Celebrating the city’s Chinese community with a traditional ceremony, Ducie Street Warehouse hosts a vibrant, authentic and free-to-attend Lion Dance on Fri 20 Jan, as well as serving a special menu which ‘champions the flavours of Chinese cuisine.’

Featuring live performances, acrobatics, poetry, kung fu and a funfair on Charlotte Street (Sun 22 Jan), Stalls selling food and souvenirs throughout the city centre (Sat 21 Jan – Sun 29 Jan) and the return of the legendary Dragon Parade – followed by the illuminated Night Dragon show – Manchester City Council’s Chinese New Year celebrations offer unrivalled free family entertainment across an entire week.

Promising the perfect blend of a meal out and a cookery class, Food Sorcery’s immensely popular Cooking Together series celebrates Chinese New Year with a relaxed yet highly informative session for all abilities, led by expert chef Chorchaba Harper, in which guests arrive to canapes and a welcome drink before preparing a Hot and Sour Soup starter and a Cashew Nut Crispy Chicken main, then sitting down to enjoy their own creations together, followed by a chef-made dessert. 

With talented face-painters, a variety of Chinese workshops and performances and a selection of ‘amazing crafts’, Central Library hosts a free drop-in celebration for families to welcome the Year of the Rabbit.