Plans revealed for this weekend’s Chinese New Year celebrations in Manchester

Chinese New Year celebrations are set to take over the city this weekend, with plans including a huge dragon parade, live performances and fantastic food.

Taking place across Sat 14 Feb – Sun 15 Feb, before Lunar New Year, which falls on Tue 17 Feb, the famous red lanterns will transform the city’s streets as they come alive with a vibrant array of free, family-friendly festivities.

Chinatown will again be the focal point of the festival, filled with street food from local vendors, arts and crafts workshops, and live music. The much-loved dragon parade returns on Sunday. The spectacular procession, which features a winding traditional dragon, acrobatic performers, ribbon dancers and drummers, will set off from the city centre, weaving its way towards Chinatown for a final display. You can find more information here.

Featuring more than 120 diverse vendors, the Lunar New Year Market will also be back on Market Street, Exchange Square and New Cathedral Street, with even more food and performances across both Saturday and Sunday. Highlights include Cantonese opera, Chinese instrumental music, dance and band performances, lion dances with a traditional eye-dotting ceremony, Hong Kong film–themed game stalls, and a large bamboo wishing installation where visitors can share New Year blessings.

Manchester Central Library is also throwing open its doors for the weekend, opening on both Saturday and Sunday with a host of activities for children and families throughout the weekend. Families are invited to join in with a host of hands-on cultural activities and fun learning experiences across the weekend, plus music and traditional dance performances. The library is also offering a quiet space away from the crowds from 11.30am – 4pm in the first-floor Music Library, for anyone who needs it.

Over at Manchester Art Gallery, everyone is invited on Saturday and Sunday to celebrate the Year of the Horse with a fun, creative family drawing trail. Pick up a sketchbook and pencil, then set off to explore the gallery on a special horse-themed trail.

On Wed 18 Feb, Manchester Museum will be marking the Year of the Fire Horse with hands-on workshops in traditional arts and crafts. A key highlight from the museum’s Lunar New Year programme this year is the participation of two masters from China, who will present the delicate artistry of Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage: Su embroidery and woodblock New Year prints.

Featured image credit: Fabio De Paola/PA Wire.