Find out what’s happening in the Liverpool city region for Chinese New Year 2024 with this guide to traditional parades, mesmerising projection shows, and cultural workshops that will immerse you in the spirit of the Chinese New Year, year of the dragon.
Liverpool
Liverpool’s Chinese New Year celebrations will now be known as Lunar New Year. The name has changed to be more inclusive to those communities outside of China which also celebrate the New Year.
Liverpool is poised for huge Lunar New Year celebrations, marking the Year of the Dragon and commemorating 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.
Chinatown Takeover (9-11 February)
The heart of the celebrations will be in Chinatown, with traditional dragon, lion, and unicorn parades, firecracker displays, family workshops, Tai Chi demonstrations, live music, a fairground, and an array of food and craft stalls. This promises to be a lively and immersive experience for all ages.
Projection Show at Bombed Out Church (9-11 February, 6 pm – 9 pm)
The Bombed Out Church will host a mesmerising projection show telling the traditional Chinese story of the Boy and the Pearl. The building will come alive with captivating animations and a newly composed soundscape, accompanied by wooden dragon installations from local schools and community groups.
Royal Albert Dock (9-11 February, 5:30 pm – 9 pm)
Teaming up with outdoor art experts Walk The Plank and fiery thrill-seekers Bring The Fire, Culture Liverpool will bring three nights of entertainment to the Royal Albert Dock Liverpool. Highlights include a 25-meter illuminated dragon floating through the dock system and an exhilarating fire street theatre featuring dance and martial arts.
Great George Square Finale (11 February, 4:30 pm): Bring The Fire will showcase its stunning skills at Chinatown with a spectacular fire finale on the stage at Great George Square.
For more detailed information on these events and additional Lunar New Year celebrations, visit Culture Liverpool’s official website.
Other Chinese New Year Events In Liverpool
Harmony of the Dragon: A Chinese New Year Gala at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (9 February)
An enchanting musical performance including a rendition of ‘Great Race’, a delightful tune associated with the CBBC programme of the same name. Find out more.
St George’s Hall Chinese New Year Gala (9 February)
Explore the beauty of Chinese culture at St George’s Hall with a traditional dragon dance, martial arts demonstrations, Chinese music, and more. Find out more.
Chinese Brush Painting Workshop – GPO at Metquarter (9 February)
This workshop will provide a gentle introduction to Chinese painting using traditional and authentic Chinese art materials such as bamboo brushes, mineral paints and Chinese ink. Find out more.
Lunar New Year at FACT (10 February)
FACT are welcoming Liverpool East and South East Asian Network (LESEAN) back once again to bring you a special programme of events and workshops in celebration of Lunar New Year. From a Lion Dance and Martial Arts display to a movement workshop, lantern making, and more—there are plenty of activities for all ages to enjoy. Find out more.
Museum of Liverpool Lion Dance Workshop (13 February)
Discover the history and tradition of the Chinese lion while children learn how to work the life size puppets in pairs, learn the rhythm of the traditional lion dance drum and the special lion dance steps to bring the lions to life. Find out more.
Bluecoat Workshops (17 and 18 February)
Join Bluecoat on 17 February for an immersive Calligraphy workshop facilitated by multidisciplinary artist Pei Yee Tong, where you’ll learn about the rich history and ancient techniques of this timeless art form, and be guided through creating your own beautiful artwork to hang up at home.
Additionally, Bluecoat’s Movers and Shakers event on 18 February invites the whole family for a session of moving, making and shaking. Create artwork inspired by Lunar New Year with the Bluecoat, and take part in dance sessions led by artists from Movema.
Liverpool City Region Chinese New Year Events
Chinese New Year Celebrations In Runcorn (10 February)
Head over to Shopping City Runcorn to watch the Creative Dance Parade by Purple Gecko Youth – Dance & Martial Arts’s young people, the Traditional Lion Dance Parade by China Spirit UK. Plus, there’s fun arts and crafts such as making Dragons and Chinese Latins. Reserve your free ticket for these activities here.
There’s also dance workshops to get involved in. Find out more via youthfed.org.uk/chinese-new-year-festival-2024
Make it! Craft Workshop at The Atkinson, Southport (10 February)
The Atkinson in Southport is hosting a free craft workshop inspired by Chinese New Year. Join them in the Art Box for a craft workshop suitable for all the family, with all materials supplied and all for free!
- Drop-in any time between 11am – 3pm and get creative.
- Children under 12 must be supervised by an adult.
- First come first served. You may be expected to wait until a space at a craft table becomes available.
Lady Lever Art Gallery Chinese New Year Celebrations, Wirral (17 February)
Lady Lever Art Gallery hosts a day of festivities for the Year of the Dragon, including:
- Find out all about the Lunar New Year and the legend of the Zzodiac Race with Billy Hui, presenter of BBC Merseyside’s Orient Express.
- Watch beautiful dances in traditional dress from the Wirral Chinese Cultural Association dance group.
- Make a Chinese New Year card to wish happiness and prosperity to your friends and family for the new year in our craft activity, 1-4pm.
The activities run from 10am-4.30pm. Find out more.
Craft Workshops at Eureka! Science + Discovery, Wirral (10-25 February)
Celebrate Chinese New Year during the half term at Eureka! With guidance from the Wirral Chinese Association, they’ve planned a whole host of activities that will have your little ones exploring, crafting, learning and even….DRAGON DANCING!
This article refers to both Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year. Chinese New Year is a significant traditional festival celebrated by Chinese communities worldwide and some people refer to it as Chinese New Year because of its roots in Chinese culture and the emphasis on Chinese customs and traditions during the festivities. On the other hand, the term Lunar New Year is used to encompass a broader cultural perspective, acknowledging that many East Asian communities, such as Vietnamese and Korean, also celebrate the new year based on the lunar calendar. Using the term Lunar New Year reflects the multicultural and inclusive nature of the celebrations beyond the Chinese context. We wanted to use both terms to reflect inclusivity.
Keep checking our What’s On Listings as we continue to add even more events happening over Chinese New Year in the Liverpool city region.