Here’s where you can celebrate Chinese New Year in Manchester for free!
| 31st January 2018
A massive 50ft giant glittering Golden Dragon which will take over St Ann’s Square in Manchester from Friday 16 February to Sunday 11 am to 7 pm to celebrate Chinese New Year.
This year’s festivities are organized by Manchester’s Business Improvement District (Manchester BID) on behalf of the city centre’s retailers, alongside the Federation of Chinese Associations of Manchester (FCAM) and Manchester City Council.
St Ann’s Square will also be home to the Chinese Street Food market – including traditional festive dumplings and steamed buns from the city’s best purveyors of Asian food and Drink, including British Street Food Award winners Dim Sum SU.
On Sunday 18 February, the legendary showcase of the dragon parade will take place with thousands of red lanterns brightening the skies. The spectacular 175-foot dragon will weave its way through the city streets, from Albert Square to Chinatown from 12noon to 6 pm.
It starts with a martial arts and dance displays in Albert Square at 12noon before the dragon parade weaves its way from the town hall to Chinatown at 1pm.
The dragon parade arrives in Chinatown NCP car park to firecrackers and New Year addresses from VIPs and community leaders at 1.30pm.
Between 2pm and 5pm the lion and unicorn visit and bless all of the businesses in Chinatown – some businesses will be setting off Chinese firecrackers when visited.
Two stages in Chinatown and Albert Square will also provide a varied programme of Chinese acrobatics, dances and music 2pm-5pm.
At 6pm there will be a fireworks finale in Chinatown.
Glittering Golden Dragon
Lisa Yam, President of the Federation of Chinese Associations of Manchester said: “This year’s celebrations are set to be the biggest and best ever and I hope everyone will be able to join us to welcome the Year of the Dog.”
On Sunday 18th February, red envelopes will be handed out at Metrolink’s Exchange Square and lucky passengers have a chance of winning shopping vouchers worth up to £250 so make sure you head down to the city centre!
For the families visiting, there are creative workshops in Manchester Arndale on Saturday 17th 11 am to 4 pm, where parents and children can learn more about Chinese cultural activities, including knot-making and Calligraphy. There is also an interactive sound workshop using Makey Makey on Thomas Street from 2 pm to 6 pm.
For the entire month of February, HOME will be welcoming the Year of the Dog with a Chinese NY Film Festival by screening the best recent Chinese language films to get the celebration going with a bang.
Over the weekend make sure to share your pictures online with the hashtag #chinesenewyearMCR !
For more information check the website: https://www.visitmanchester.com/ideas-and-inspiration/chinese-new-year