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Chinese New Year is always a colourful cultural highlight, bringing brightness to the dark winter days here in the UK. This is especially true for a city like Manchester, whose Chinatown buzzes all year round but becomes a hive of activity and celebration come New Year.
Welcome in the Year of The Pig in Manchester with four days of events at one of Europe’s biggest Chinese New Year celebrations.
Alongside the famous dragon parade and fireworks there are some stonking (or should that be honking?) new experiences for 2019 including contemporary art installation Piglet by artist Alex Rinsler in St Ann’s Square.
Events across the city by Manchester’s fine Centre For Chinese Contemporary Art (CFCCA) include digital drawing, making memes and art workshops, inspired by the Chinese zodiac. Look out for other traditional crafts such as paper cutting and calligraphy too.
At CFCCA itself don’t miss new exhibition Chinternet Ugly – a group exhibition that offers a rare glimpse behind the biggest digital boundary in the world: the Great Firewall of China.
Together with thousands of red lanterns on the city’s trees, the illumination of some of Manchester’s iconic buildings and street food markets in St Ann’s Square, Albert Square and Chinatown, we love how the city centre turns (culturally) red early every year.
Here are our top picks.
Here are our picks
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1. Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art
Photo by Michael Pollard Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art, Market buildings, Thomas Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1EU - Visit now
We’d recommend visiting the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art anytime of the year for its relevant and thought-provoking exhibitions, engaging events and beautiful shop . But of course during Chinese New Year it is especially relevant and filled to the brim with creative pursuits for all. Don’t miss the tours and workshops accompanying current new exhibition “Chinternet Ugly” at CFCCA itself and the Making Memes and arts and craft workshops run by CFCCA across town.
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2. Piglet at St Ann’s Square
Courtesy Alex Rinsler Penny Coin Piglet at St Ann’s Square, City Centre, 7–10 February 2019, free entry - Find Out More
A giant straw Piglet marking the Year of the Pig by international artist Alex Rinsler will be boasting a coat made from dosh.
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3. The Dragon Parade, Chinatown Celebrations and Fireworks
CityCo / Carl Sukonik The Dragon Parade, Chinatown Celebrations and Fireworks at Albert Square, City Centre, 10 February 2019, free entry - Find Out More
Follow the dazzling 175-foot Dragon from Albert Square to Chinatown for music, acrobatics, dancing and a glittering firework finale. Read our preview for our top tips on where to view the action.
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4. Glittering Golden Dragon at Exchange Square
Giant Chinese Golden Dragon at Exchange Square, 7–10 February 2019, free entry - Find Out More
Head to Exchange Square to catch a glimpse of the giant, glittering Golden Dragon that has taken up residence there this Chinese New Year in Manchester
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5. Ho’s Bakery
Ho’s Bakery, 56 Faulkner Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 4FH - Visit now
Buns buns buns! The aroma of Ho’s drifts down onto the street, drawing you in like Yogi Bear to a picnic basket and causing you to part with your cash in exchange for calories. No, it’s not a healthy option – even the stuff that looks like it might be vaguely savoury is packed with soft and sugary sumptuousness – but who cares when it tastes this good. Get some to fuel yourself for the Dragon Parade.
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6. Sweet Mandarin
Sweet Mandarin -
7. Yang Sing
Yang Sing -
8. Yu Alderley Edge
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9. Wake Up Together and Where Love is Illegal at Open Eye Gallery
Untitled, Ren Hang, 2016. Stieglitz19 Wake Up Together at Open Eye Gallery, Waterfront, 16 November 2018–17 February 2019, free entry - Visit now
Over in Liverpool, Open Eye Gallery presents ‘Ren Hang: Wake Up Together’ and ‘Robin Hammond: Where Love Is Illegal’ – two exhibitions championing the rights of every person to love who they want and respectfully live as they wish.
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January ain’t dull. Create with light, become forensic archeologists, sculpt with mud, step inside books and find a giant piglet with a coat made from dosh.
Things to do right now
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