Plans are under way to stage Liverpool’s biggest-ever Lunar New Year celebrations, not only to welcome in the Year of the Dragon, but also to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the city’s twinning with Shanghai.
Taking place from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 February, for the first time the FREE activities will not only take over the Chinatown area, but they will also bring a festival of colour and sound to the Bombed Out Church (St Luke’s), Liverpool ONE and the Royal Albert Dock Liverpool.
As well as the usual Chinatown takeover which includes traditional dragon, lion and unicorn parades, firecracker displays, family workshops, Tai Chi demonstrations, live music, a fairground and food and craft stalls – Culture Liverpool has commissioned brand new cultural pieces to celebrate Europe’s oldest Chinese community. These will take place in the run up to the main day of celebration on the Sunday, and on the day itself.
3 February – Street Parade: Bold Street – Liverpool ONE – Royal Albert Dock – From Midday
On Saturday 3 February, excitement is set to build as the Liverpool Hung Gar Kung Fu Friendship Association and award-winning dance company Movema lead a lion parade through the city centre. It will start from Bold Street around midday, travel to Liverpool ONE and then finish at the Royal Albert Dock Liverpool.
9 – 11 February – Bombed Out Church – 6pm – 9pm
From Friday 9 to Sunday 11 February, the traditional Chinese story of the Boy and the Pearl will come to life as it’s projected on the Bombed Out Church. Taking place from 6-9pm each night, the projections will transform the building with captivating animation and a newly composed soundscape. The show, which lasts for ten minutes, will run on a loop each evening. The work has been created by Focal Studios, in collaboration with Pagoda, the Bombed Out Church and local artists. To add to the atmosphere, around the church will be wooden dragon installations designed by local schools and community groups.
9 – 11 February – Royal Albert Dock – 5.30pm – 9pm
Culture Liverpool has teamed up with outdoor art experts Walk The Plank and fiery thrill-seekers Bring The Fire to stage three nights of entertainment at Royal Albert Dock Liverpool. This will see a 25-metre, illuminated dragon floating through the dock system, an exciting fire street theatre featuring dance and martial arts. All activities will run from 5.30-9pm each night – more detailed timings will be announced on Culture Liverpool’s social media channels nearer the time.
11 February – Great George Square – 4.30pm
Bring The Fire will also showcase its stunning skills at Chinatown on the Sunday with a mesmerising, fire-finale at 4.30pm on the stage at Great George Square.
11 February – Bombed Out Church
Due to popular demand, even more free family friendly workshops will be available on Sunday 11 – from lantern making sessions, traditional arts and crafts including dragon shadow puppetry, candle making and storytelling – and lots more! Each session will see local artists sharing their skills to inspire creativity. The Mersey Forest team is also getting involved in the workshop action and will stage activities at the Bombed Out Church.
9 February – Liverpool Philharmonic – 8pm
The Philharmonic Hall’s Music Room will play host to Harmony of the Dragon: A Chinese New Year Gala – an enchanting musical performance including a rendition of ‘Great Race’, a delightful tune associated with the CBBC programme of the same name. This is a ticketed event and all the information can be found on the venue’s website.
11 February – Great George Square – 11am – 5pm
Activity will take place from 11am to 5pm in and around the Great George Square area, and all the information about what to expect can be found on the official Lunar New Year website.
Thousands of lanterns will adorn the city centre streets around Chinatown and Liverpool ONE from the beginning of February, and a number of buildings will be illuminated in red in honour of the new year – signifying good fortune and joy to everyone. Some of the locations include Sefton Park Palm House, the Mersey Gateway Bridge, Cunard Building, Liverpool Town Hall, St George’s Hall, the Martin Luther King Building at the Royal Liverpool Albert Dock, Steve Prescott Bridge. Liverpool ONE and the Rotunda.
Lunar New Year was formerly known as Chinese New Year. The name has changed to be more inclusive to those communities outside of China which also celebrate the New Year.