EVERYBODY can identify with Chinese new year. Its place in the calendar - at the cusp of winter and spring, the promise of lighter nights and rebirth, makes it a much more elegant time to have a knees up than in the nadir of winter.

And once again the streets of Chinatown will be filled with markets, street parades, firecrackers and all the fun of the fair.

Last year 15,000 people rocked up to the Year of the Horse. This time it's the Year of the Goat.  

Cabinet member for Culture, Tourism and events, Councillor Wendy Simon said: “Chinese New Year marks a huge celebration in the Chinese calendar and is enjoyed annually by many residents of the city.

“This event gets bigger and brighter year after year and I am sure there will be some surprises in store for the Year of the Goat."

Ooh.

The 2015 Kuei Szu year welcomes the eighth animal sign of the Chinese Zodiac – the elegant, artistic and good natured Goat, it says here.

To celebrate, Culture Liverpool, Liverpool Chinese Community groups and other organisations have arranged a series of arts and cultural events with the main celebratory events taking place on Sunday 22nd February 2015.

One o'clock on Sunday for the main parade if you were wondering.

As always, the streets will no doubt be heaving with plenty of activities for children and adults to enjoy, including Chinese New Year Market, dragon and lion street parades, children’s fun fair, traditional Chinese cultural performances and a spectacular firecracker display.

There is also an opportunity to make Chinese lanterns and listen to Chinese storytelling and all that at libraries as part of The City of Readers Campaign during half– term – a full list of events and activities can be found by visiting here.

"The kind hearted Goat tends to be polite, sensitive and compassionate with good manners and a charming nature which means they are often popular with many admirers and friends," says LCC.

"With a tender, polite but sometimes insecure personality, Goats can often shy from confrontation and prefer to absorb themselves with art and nature." So you won't find them on twitter then.

Will you be eating out? And where?