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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.

Free
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.

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