Fun, firecrackers and all your favourite parades and performances are back

WONDERING why some of the city’s building have been bathed in red light this last week? From the iconic Cunard Building to St George’s Hall, the illuminations are to celebrate Chinese New Year, the colour signifying good fortune and joy to everyone. Thousands of Chinese lanterns are also heralding the arrival of the Year Of The Rat, with the main festivities taking place in and around Europe’s oldest Chinatown on Sunday 26 January.

Performances from fan dances and martial arts demonstrations to storytelling sessions and firecracker displays will take place around the famous Chinatown area

Starting at 11am and running all day until 5pm, the Chinese New Year celebrations will be focused on Great George Square, where a stage and Family Zone will be located. Performances from fan dances and martial arts demonstrations to storytelling sessions and firecracker displays will take place around the famous Chinatown area.  

The Everyman Playhouse and Liverpool Confucius Institute will showcase traditional and contemporary music, dance and song, while aerial displays will be arranged by the Black-e on Nelson Street. A fairground, the famous dragon, unicorn and lion parades, and a Chinese food and gift market on George Street will also take place, while Secretary of Liverpool Chinese Business Association Ming Wong recommends you keep an eye out for the “lucky man who will be handing out red envelopes containing a surprise”.

201711204 Chinatown Liverpool 3
Nelson Street's Imperial Arch is the largest Chinese arch outside China

Deputy Mayor and cabinet member for culture tourism and events, Councillor Wendy Simon said: “Our Chinese New Year event is always hugely popular and it’s wonderful to see thousands of people come together in celebration of our much-loved Chinese community. The day is set to be a real spectacle and it really is packed from start to finish. It’s the perfect family-friendly day out, with a whole host of activities which are either free, or cost very little – so it’s a great way for everyone to get involved in marking this special event.”  

Keep up to date on social media using #CNYLiverpool.


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