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The Dragon Parade

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The Dragon Parade

2 February 2025

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

Free
The Dragon Parade, Chinatown Celebrations and Fireworks
Image courtesy of CityCo / Carl Sukonik.
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The showstopping highlight of Manchester’s Chinese New Year celebrations sees Chinatown and the city centre erupt with colour, music, performance and the legendary Dragon Parade.

Gather from 12 noon on 2 February to follow the dazzling 175-foot Dragon as it makes its dramatic way to Chinatown.

Welcoming the Year of the Snake, 2025 marks the return of the legendary Dragon Parade to Manchester City Centre, snaking its way through the streets along with traditional Lion and Ribbon dances, Chinese Opera performers, 12 Zodiac animals and ancient army characters.

Chinese dragons, Manchester

Celebrations continue in Chinatown itself – we expect the usual classical Chinese lion dances, martial arts, music, acrobatics and more dancing. Street food can also be found here and our top tip, if you fancy a seated approach, is to get down early and bagsy a table with the best views of the parade and all the celebrations on the first floors of the restaurants lining George Street, Nicholas Street and Faulkner Street.

This is the sort of event that Manchester does so well – especially for families – with plenty of thrilling activity alongside great locations like the Art Gallery, Library and many great restaurants of Chinatown to duck into and explore on the way.

Featured in

Chinese New Year in Manchester
Chinese New Year in Manchester

Colourful cultural adventures abound as Manchester rings in the Lunar New Year. Here’s our round-up of what’s on.

Where to go near The Dragon Parade

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New Jackson in Manchester is having a full scale seasonal takeover. Think curling lanes, lively bars and a packed line up of DJs and performances.

Chadderton Town Hall
Manchester
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Heft

A Michelin star restaurant and homely 17th century inn in the Lake District, with food provided by esteemed chef Kevin Tickle.

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Tangerine

Manchester’s latest must-visit multipurpose venue, offering top-level food, drinks and live shows.

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Posie

A new cocktail bar from the crack team behind 10 Tib Lane and Henry C.

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Mighty food hall in Salford Quays, with around twenty street food vendors, serving a huge range of cuisines.

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If you’re looking for quality coffee and a decadent brunch in a setting that nails the Northern Quarter brief, you’d struggle to do better than ASAP Coffee.

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What's on: Families

Until
FamiliesCity Centre
Manchester Christmas Markets

The Manchester Christmas Markets are back for 2025, with many dozens of stalls in front of the town hall, and hundreds of traders spread across city-centre squares.

Free entry
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Until
ActivityManchester
2025 Banner Bingo at PHM

Explore the People’s History Museum with your banner bingo card in hand as you navigate their galleries through the lens of craftivism.

Free entry
A performer in a bright red costume sits on a snowy stage set, holding a large snowball between their legs with a surprised expression. The colourful winter backdrop features snowflakes, hills, a snowman, and a traffic light with glowing lights.
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FamiliesManchester
The Snowy Day at Z-arts

This winter, families with little ones are invited into a shimmering world of snow and discovery with the new production of The Snowy Day.

From £10.00

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There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.

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Hear ye, hear ye. Take some eating-out tips from our wintertime guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.

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