Chinese New Year in Manchester: Chinatown Celebrations

Shekina Rose, Families Editor

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Chinese New Year Celebrations in Manchester

1-2 February 2025

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

EDITORIAL USE ONLY Performer Kaiyuan Bao prepares to take part in the Dragon Parade as part of Manchester’s Chinese New Year Celebrations to welcome in the Year of the Rabbit. Picture date: Sunday January 22, 2023. PA Photo. This year’s celebrations, organised by the Federation of Chinese Associations of Manchester (FCAM), in partnership with Manchester Business Improvement District (BID) and Manchester City Council, will also see a week long residency of traditional street food stalls in the city’s Piccadilly Gardens from today to Sunday January 29 and a final performance from an illuminated night dragon to close this year’s festivities next Sunday in Piccadilly Gardens. Photo credit should read: Fabio De Paola/PA Wire.
Chinese New Year Manchester.
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The UK’s brightest Chinese New Year celebrations are returning to Manchester this February, as the city comes together to celebrate and welcome in the Year of the Snake. The Snake is a symbol of rebirth, wisdom, transformation, luck and authority in traditional Chinese culture.

The ultimate highlight of the Chinese New Year Celebrations in Manchester, The Dragon Parade, is taking place on Sunday 2 February. Crowds will gather to watch a 175ft Chinese dragon winding its way through the city’s shopping streets, accompanied in a procession of traditional lion and ribbon dancers, stunning Chinese opera performers, twelve spectacular Zodiac animals, and fascinating ancient army characters. The parade is a truly spectacular event packed with culture, and even better – it’s free!

Fabio De Paola/PA Wire

There will also be a live performance stage packed with shows, a delightful fun fair for the little ones, and delicious street food stalls for when you’re feeling peckish. You could also stop and have a bite to eat in one of the great restaurants that run along George Street, Nicholas Street and Faulkner Street.

Chinese New Year in Manchester is impossible to miss, with iconic red lanterns and golden ornaments dotted around Manchester in the lead-up to the big day of celebrations, illuminating the city’s streets and creating a buzz amongst Manchester residents and beyond.

All events on 1 February will run from 11am – 7pm.

Where to go near Chinese New Year in Manchester: Chinatown Celebrations

Stevenson Square
Manchester
Stevenson Square

Stevenson Square, the central hub of bars and cafes in Northern Quarter. Home to some of the best bars in the city.

CUPRA City Garage DJ Decks
City Centre
Café or Coffee Shop
CUPRA City Garage

Already based in Paris, Mexico City, Sydney and Vienna, CUPRA’s international expansion is driven by culture as much as cars, and Manchester’s creative energy has clearly caught their attention.

Ancoats
Restaurant
Bruco

Bruco is a new restaurant in Ancoats, serving up stylish Italian small plates.

Samsi
Manchester
Restaurant
Samsi

Long-standing Japanese restaurant on Whitworth Street in Manchester with a pleasingly affordable menu.

The Pavilion Gardens, which also houses the Pavilion Arts Centre, is a beautiful, historic venue dating back to 1871 which superbly shows off the Victorian splendour of Buxton. Set within twenty three acres of magnificent, landscaped gardens and play areas, the venue provides the perfect setting for fun and relaxing family days out, with great food and drink, shopping and over 100 events and festivals throughout the year.
Buxton
Cinema
Pavilion Arts Centre

A historic gem in Buxton’s Pavilion Gardens, Pavilion Arts Centre houses an intimate 360-seat theatre and cinema.

Leeds
Gallery
The Sculpture Gallery

The Sculpture Gallery is an outstanding new gallery, of pure sculpture, showcasing the work, not only of the six owners but guests also.

A club bedroom at Malmaison Leeds
Leeds
Hotel
Malmaison Leeds

Malmaison Leeds is a historic and dramatic building, full of character and individual style. Beautifully refurbished quirky bedrooms with power showers, blackout curtains and great beds.

On The Wall is a funky independent shop that sells a wide range of creative and artistic items including, posters, art prints, canvases, greeting cards and merchandise/gifts. They also offer a bespoke framing and canvas printing service and a screen printed t- shirt service. If you are looking for something more unique and inspiring they also sell work by local artists.
Leeds
Shop
On The Wall

Bright, bold and full of character, On the Wall pairs expert framing with prints, posters and gifts inside Leeds Corn Exchange.

Leeds
Restaurant
Canned Heat

Canned Heat is an independent bottle-shop & bar in the heart of Chapeltown, Leeds. Born out of a passion for Music, Art and Community.

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